Kyle Gibson (0-3, 6.10 ERA) and Matt Moore (2-3, 5.31 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a four-game series between the Minnesota Twins (15-37) and the Tampa Bay Rays (22-29) at Target Field. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 2 and can be seen on FSN and SUN.
Gibson pitched 3.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering seven runs, striking out one and walking two in an 8-4 defeat to the Nationals. Moore went 6.2 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out seven and walking three in a 9-5 win over the Yankees in his last outing.
The odds for Minnesota and Tampa Bay are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Twins have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Minnesota’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Rays have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. Tampa Bay is excellent at making contact with just 9.5 strikeouts per game, ranking third in the AL. The Rays allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks, the Rays have the fifth-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.7 walks allowed per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Twins are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Rays have a 7-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 3-21. The Twins have a 5-29 record when opponents outhit them.
Minnesota ranks in the bottom half of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 52 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the top five at third with 72.
Ranking 22nd, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 8.06 per game. Minnesota ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 8.13.
Ranking 25th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.689). Tampa Bay ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .737.
The Rays are 10-26 when they allow at least one home run. The Twins perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with an 11-29 record.
