Jorge Polanco and the Minnesota Twins are preparing to do battle against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in a Saturday showdown. This AL matchup will begin at 1:10 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports North.
Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays Odds
The Rays are 35-20 straight up (SU) and 33-21 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 7.7 units for moneyline bettors and 11.2 units ATS. The Twins are 38-18 SU and have gone 33-22 ATS. Overall, the club has gained 19.1 units for moneyline bettors and 9.4 units ATS.
Tampa Bay games have had an over/under record of 23-29-2 so far in 2019. Minnesota has an over/under record of 28-26-1.
Kyle Gibson is getting the start for Minnesota. The right-handed Gibson is 5-2 with a 4.08 ERA and 60 strikeouts. He has yet to face Tampa Bay this year, but he made two starts against the Rays in 2018, compiling a 1-1 record against them with a 3.14 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
The Rays will turn to righty Yonny Chirinos (6-1, 2.91 ERA), who has 42 strikeouts and 10 walks as well as a 0.86 WHIP. Chirinos only made one start against the Twins in 2018 (0-0, 3.86 ERA and six strikeouts across four and 2-third innings).
Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 8.39 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.42, along with a K-per-9 of 9.68.
Twins hitters have slashed .272/.343/.509 on their way to 5.9 runs scored per game in 2019, including 7.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Minnesota’s hitters have been led by shortstop Jorge Polanco and outfielder Eddie Rosario, who have combined to belt 26 home runs. Polanco is slashing .338/.409/.590 with nine home runs, 27 RBIs and 36 runs scored. Rosario (.276/.306/.548) has produced 17 homers, 49 RBIs and 39 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has allowed 3.2 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 2.35, a WHIP of 0.97 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has a 3.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.8 K/9.
The Tampa Bay hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per outing, including 6.0 per game over its last 10 games and 6.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .302/.387/.464 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Tommy Pham and Avisail Garcia have led the Rays’ batters this year. Pham is slashing .305/.418/.488 with eight home runs, 26 RBIs, 26 runs and six stolen bases, while Garcia’s line is .301/.363/.522 with 10 homers, 25 RBIs, 28 runs and six steals.
The Twins have gained 21.1 units and are 27-17 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 22 of those games, as opposed to 22 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Rays have netted 0.7 units and are 20-17 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 18 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve gone under.
Twins at Rays MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in four of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
- Minnesota has posted 27.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 22.0 over its last five.
- The Twins have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games. The Rays have hit 16 over their last 10.
- The Twins have an OPS of .852 this season and an OPS of .848 against right-handed pitchers. The Rays’ OPS stands at .778 overall and .802 against righties.
