Minnesota Twins vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 4/26/2026 Today’s MLB Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Apr 24, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Minnesota Twins infielder Brooks Lee (22) slides to first base during the seventh inning against Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda (8) at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Minnesota Twins
Tampa Bay Rays
Team Records
12-15
15-11
Spread
+1.5 -168
-1.5 139
Moneyline
+123
-149
Total
Over 8.5 (-120)
Under 8.5 (100)
Where
George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Florida
When
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time
01:40 PM EDT
TV
MLB.TV
The Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Sunday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Minnesota Twins will send out Simeon Woods Richardson for the start here and Woods Richardson is 0-3 with a 5.96 ERA and 13 strikeouts this season. In his career, Woods Richardson is 0-0 with a 3.31 ERA and 12 strikeouts against the Rays. Jesse Scholtens will start for Tampa Bay here and is 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA and 13 strikeouts this season. This will be Scholtens’ second career start against the Twins.
Minnesota Twins Recap
The Minnesota Twins come into this game looking to bounce back from their loss at the hands of Minnesota last time out to sit at 12-15 this season. After this series, the Twins will head home for a set against the Seattle Mariners.
Twins Drop 8 Of Last 9
Byron Buxton has 24 hits with 4 doubles, a triple, 5 home runs and 7 RBIs while Josh Bell’s added 22 hits with 5 doubles, 3 home runs and 16 RBIs. Luke Keaschall has 21 hits with 3 doubles, a homer and 12 RBIs and Matt Wallner has 16 hits with a pair of doubles, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs. Brooks Lee has 4 home runs with 13 RBIs and Victor Caratini has 16 RBIs while Ryan Jeffers has 17 hits with 2 doubles, a triple, 3 home runs and 16 RBIs this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Recap
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this game looking to add on to their win over Minnesota from Saturday’s matchup to sit at 15-11 this season. After this series, the Rays will head on the road for a series against the Cleveland Guardians.
Rays Win 3 In A Row
Yandy Diaz has 34 hits with 3 doubles, a triple, 3 home runs and 18 RBIs while Chandler Simpson has 31 hits with 2 triples and 6 RBIs. Nick Fortes has 20 hits with 5 doubles, a home run and 8 RBIs and Jonathan Aranda has 21 hits with 4 doubles, 6 homers and 21 RBIs. Junior Caminero’s also added 28 hits with 3 doubles, 8 home runs and 15 RBIs and Ben WIlliamson has 18 hits with 5 doubles and 10 RBIs.
Minnesota Twins @ Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends: April 26, 2026
Probable Starting Pitcher: Griffin Jax Record this season: 1-2 ERA: 8.00
Home Record: 0-0
Last 5 against Twins: 0-0
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
The Rays have won each of their last 10 games against American League opponents.
The Twins have lost each of their last seven games after playing the previous day.
The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last 10 games against American League opponents.
The Twins have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as underdogs against the Rays following a loss.
The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven home day games.
The Twins have lost the first inning in three of their last four games.
The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs.
Probable Starting Pitcher: Simeon Woods-Richardson Record this season: 0-3 ERA: 5.96
Road Record: 0-2
Last 5 against Rays: 0-0
Why the Minnesota Twins will win
The Rays have lost eight of their last 11 games as home favorites after playing the previous day.
The Twins have won eight of their last 10 day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
The Twins have covered the run line in nine of their last 11 day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
The Rays have failed to cover the run line in 15 of their last 19 games as home favorites against American League opponents.
The Twins have led after 5 innings in four of their last five day games against opponents that held a winning record.
The Twins have won the first inning in three of their last four day games.
The Twins have led after 3 innings in three of their last four road day games.
Total Runs Facts
Five of the Twins’ last six road games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Five of the Rays’ last six day games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Twins’ last eight games against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Rays’ last eight day games at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
Jake Fraley has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against AL opponents.
Gavin Lux has recorded at least one hit in each of his last five appearances.
Yandy Diaz ranks 5th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.337) this season.
Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts
Byron Buxton has hit at least one home run in six of his last eight Sunday day appearances against AL teams that held a winning record.
Trevor Larnach has recorded a hit in each of his last seven appearances with the Twins as underdogs.
Matchup/League Facts
The Rays rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (187).
The Rays rank T3rd in the league for triples this season (5).
The Twins rank T28th in the league for doubles this season (33).
The Twins rank T3rd in the league for home runs allowed this season (21).
Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
I’m on the Rays in this one. I also lean towards the over because I don’t nevessarily trust the pitching matchup in this game, but the Rays have easily looked like the better team in the first two games of this series, and I think the Rays complete the sweep at home here. Give me Tampa Bay in this one.
