Matt Andriese (3-0, 2.36 ERA) takes the hill for the Tampa Bay Rays (23-30) as they square off against Ervin Santana (1-4, 4.12 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (16-38) in the third of a four-game series at Target Field. The Rays won the last game 4-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jun. 4 and can be seen on FS1.
Santana pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out five and walking two in a 3-2 defeat to the Athletics. Andriese went 7.0 innings, surrendering two, striking out three and walking two in a 6-2 defeat to the Royals in his last outing. Steve Pearce (.304, 20 Rs, 8 HRs, 20 RBIs) went 1 for 1 yesterday.
The odds for Minnesota and Tampa Bay are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. 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
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing no walks during their last outing. The Rays have a 3-2 record when opponents don’t give up any walks.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 5-29. The Rays have a 4-22 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, Minnesota has hit 54 this season. Tampa Bay ranks fourth with 75 home runs.
Ranking 22nd, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 8.08 per game. Minnesota ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 8.26.
Ranking 24th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.698). Tampa Bay ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .734.
The Rays are 10-27 when they allow at least one home run. The Twins perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 12-30 record.
