In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Twins prediction for this MLB game on Friday, July 4th at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 48-39 this year after they lost two out of three against the Athletics by scores of 4-6, 3-4, and 6-5. In their game three win, Tampa Bay trailed 2-0 in the second inning, but they scored the next six runs and were able to hang on for the win. The Rays recorded 10 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Diaz, who went 2-4 with one home run and two RBIs in the win. Tampa Bay started Pepiot, who allowed four hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings for the win, while Orze allowed two earned runs in relief. 

Prior to that series, the Rays lost two out of three against the Orioles, but did sweep the Royals in three games before that. Tampa Bay has lost four of their last six games and they are currently third in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.74 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 416 runs with a .259 batting average and a .323 on base percentage this season. Junior Caminero has led Tampa Bay with 21 home runs and 53 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 19 home runs and 50 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Zack Littell, who is 7-7 with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP over 104.2 innings pitched this year. 

Minnesota Twins Betting Preview
The Minnesota Twins are 41-46 this season after they lost two out of three against Miami by scores of 0-2, 2-1, and 1-4. In their game three loss, Minnesota cut the deficit to 4-1 in the seventh inning, but couldn’t get any closer in the loss. The Twins recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Wallner, who went 1-4 with one home run and one RBI in the loss. Minnesota started Festa, who allowed five hits and four earned runs over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Topa and Funderburk finished the game. 

Prior to that series, the Twins lost two out of three against the Tigers and split four games with the Twins. Minnesota has lost four of their last five games and they are currently third in the AL Central standings. The Minnesota pitching staff has a 4.15 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .248 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 359 runs with a .238 batting average and a .308 on base percentage this season. Byron Buxton has led Minnesota with 19 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Trevor Larnach has added 12 home runs and 39 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Minnesota is Chris Paddack, who is 3-7 with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 90.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Rays will beat the Twins
The Twins have lost nine of their last 10 games at Target Field against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
The Rays have won five of their last seven games as underdogs.
The Twins have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games at Target Field against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Rays’ last five games at Target Field.
The Rays have led after 3 innings in three of their last four road games against AL Central opponents.
The Twins have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last 10 games at Target Field against AL East opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts
Eight of the Rays’ last nine games as underdogs against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Five of the Twins’ last six games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Twins’ last nine games against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Rays’ last nine road games against AL Central opponents.

Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts
Byron Buxton has hit a home run in two of the Twins’ last three games against AL opponents.
Chris Paddack has recorded four or more strikeouts in nine of his 11 previous appearances at Target Field against opponents that held a winning record.
Carlos Correa has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances in day games.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in three of the Rays’ last four road games against AL opponents.
Ha-Seong Kim has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six road appearances.

Rays vs Twins Prediction 
Both of these teams come into this matchup after a series loss, but Minnesota has really struggled over their last 26 games. The Twins are 22-17 at home this year, while the Rays are 20-14 on the road. Tampa Bay is right in the middle of the AL East race and they need to take advantage of this struggling Minnesota team. The Twins are starting Paddack, who has allowed at least four earned runs in three of his last four outings. The Rays are going with Littell, who has allowed one earned run in three of his last five. Take Tampa Bay to get a big win here. 

David Racey's Pick: Rays ML