In the last of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (62-64) and the Minnesota Twins (65-61) at Tropicana Field, Drew Smyly (1-2, 3.42 ERA) and Tommy Milone (6-3, 3.69 ERA) get the ball. The Twins won the last game 5-3, extending a six-game winning streak. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 27 and will air on SUN and FSN.
In his last start, Smyly pitched 5.2 innings, giving up zero runs and striking out two in a 2-1 victory over the Athletics. Steven Souza Jr. (.214, 47 Rs, 15 HRs, 34 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with two runs. The Twins were unsuccessful to the Orioles 4-3 the last time Milone pitched. He went 1.0 innings, allowing zero runs and striking out two. Brian Dozier (.244, 86 Rs, 26 HRs, 66 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one RBI.
Tampa Bay, a -155 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Minnesota. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Rays have a 29-27 record and overall money line at -329. They have a winless record (0-3) in games played as the favorite during their last 10 games. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 4.9 during that span, compared to its 3.9 season average. The Rays don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking second in the AL with only 8.0 hits allowed per game. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out at Tropicana Field, leading the AL with 9.0 strikeouts per home game.
On the other side, the Twins have a record of 49-51 when they are the underdog and are +1,577 overall with the money line. During the last 10 games, they averaged 5.9 runs per game, above their 4.3 season average. Shifting to the pitching staff, they allow just 2.5 walks per game, good for tops in the AL.
In their previous five games this season, the Twins have a 4-1 record. This game will feature Milone (LHP) on the mound against the Rays, who have a 21-14 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The left-handed Smyly will take the mound against the Twins, who have a 22-20 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Twins have a 14-27 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
The Twins are coming into the game with six consecutive wins, while the Rays currently have a losing streak of three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 43-18. The Twins have a 45-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 470 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 11th with 549.
Ranking 23rd, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 314 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 342.
When the Rays hit at least one home run, they are 45-34. When the Twins hit at least one homer, they have a 49-27 record.
