Twins vs. Rays Pick
Can the Minnesota Twins go on the road and get past the Tampa Bay Rays when the two open up a series tonight at 7:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rays are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -120 to win. The Twins are listed with a money line of +100 to prevail, while the over/under total has been set at 8.5 runs. The Rays have won two of three meetings with the Twins this season.
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The pitching matchup tonight has Jose Berrios (12-6, 3.80 ERA) on the mound for Minnesota to face Alex Cobb (9-9, 3.72) of the Rays. Berrios has had two scoreless outing in his last three starts, but his other saw him give up five runs. He has 115 strikeouts this season with 35 walks and a 1.13 WHIP. Cobb has allowed just four runs over his last three starts, a total of 16.1 innings. He has 107 strikeouts with 38 walks and a 1.21 WHIP this year.
The Twins are coming off a surprising series loss at home to the Royals despite outscoring them by 15 runs in the three games. Minnesota is now 71-65 overall and 36-28 on the road. The Twins are putting up 4.95 runs per game this year and also allowing 4.95 per contest. Team leader Miguel Sano is on the DL with a shin injury right now. Brian Dozier is now the hitting leader with 26 doubles, 27 home runs and 77 RBI. Joe Mauer is hitting .303 with 29 doubles and 56 RBI.
Tampa Bay is coming off a long road trip of nine games where they went 5-4. Tampa is now 68-70 overall and 34-33 at home. The Rays are scoring just 4.30 runs per game this season while allowing 4.33 per contest. Leading Tampa is Corey Dickerson, who has 30 doubles with 25 home runs and 58 RBI. Logan Morrison is adding 35 home runs and 80 RBI.
Both starting pitchers have the capability of having another great start, but I don’t feel good about Berrios right now. He has been alternating good starts with bad and is coming off a scoreless effort in his last start. Now he goes on the road, where he has a 5.12 ERA this season. Cobb has been settled in nicely and I think he will best Berrios on the mound today. Tampa also has the better bullpen, so I give the edge to the Rays.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY RAYS -120