In the second of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (44-64) and the Minnesota Twins (44-65) at Tropicana Field, Chris Archer (5-15, 4.38 ERA) and Jose Berrios (2-1, 8.57 ERA) take the mound. The Twins won the last game 6-2, and Minnesota leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 6 and will air on FSN and SUN.
In his last start, Archer pitched 7.1 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking one in a 3-0 loss to the Royals. Brad Miller (.256, 49 Rs, 20 HRs, 44 RBIs, 4 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Twins were victorious the last time Berrios pitched. He tossed 6.0 innings, allowing three runs and striking out five in a 12-5 victory over the Indians. Miguel Sano (.246, 39 Rs, 16 HRs, 43 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well, going 3 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Tampa Bay, a -160 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 26-35 record and overall money line at -2,698. The most recent 10 game stretch for Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Tampa Bay’s opponents are averaging 2.5 runs per game, below their season average of 4.4. The Rays don’t give up many hits at home to opposing batters at Tropicana Field, leading the AL with only 8.1 hits allowed per home game. An area where the Rays are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.3 K’s per game.
On the other side, the Twins have a subpar record of 34-51 when they are the underdog and are -1,075 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 7-3 SU and has played well as the underdog with a 6-1 record. Minnesota has been playing better lately, averaging 6.9 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.6. The Twins are known for their bats, hitting 361 extra base hits.
In their previous five games this season, the Rays have a 3-2 record. The Rays will take on a right-hander (Berrios) in this game and have a 32-50 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Twins will be the right-hander Archer. Right-handed starters have been a big issue for them as they sport a 29-50 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Twins have a record of 12-27 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 8-53. The Rays have a 10-47 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 14th in home runs, Minnesota has hit 131 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 10th with 139 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.02 per game. Minnesota ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.87.
Ranking 20th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.724). Minnesota ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .753.
The Twins are 32-53 when they allow at least one home run. The Rays perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 24-57 record.
