Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins odds, picks and predictions

The Minnesota Twins (75-69) welcome the Tampa Bay Rays (89-56) to Target Field Tuesday for the 2nd game of a 3-game series. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Twins odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rays lead 4-0

Tampa Bay, which swept the Twins at home from June 6-8, beat them 7-4 on Monday. The Rays sit 2nd in the AL East, 3 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. Tampa Bay is 6-4 over its last 10 games and is 38-31 on the road.

The Twins lead the AL Central by 7 1/2 games over the Cleveland Guardians. Minnesota is 6-4 in its last 10 games and is 42-30 at home this season.

Rays at Twins projected starters

RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Joe Ryan

Littell (3-5, 4.29 ERA) makes his 25th appearance and 12th start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 0.8 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 71 1/3 innings.

• Last start: Loss, 8 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 1-0 home loss vs. the Seattle Mariners Thursday
• 2023 road stats: 2-3, 3.60 ERA in 35 IP in 13 appearances (6 starts)

Ryan (10-9, 4.21 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 in 141 innings.

• Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 2-1 road loss vs. the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday
• 2023 home stats: 6-4, 3.77 ERA in 71 2/3 IP in 12 starts

Rays at Twins odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 11:56 p.m. ET.

Rays at Twins picks and predictions

Prediction

Twins 5, Rays 4

BET TWINS (-135).

The Twins lost to the Rays on Monday, but their offense has been electric as of late. They have scored 8 or more in 3 of their last 7 games and 5 or more in 4 of their last 7. They are also 13-12 with Ryan starting, and he has allowed 2 ER or less in his last 3  starts.

The Rays are 10-14 in games Littell is on the mound and 2-4 in his last 6 starts. Given Minnesota’s offensive explosiveness lately and the difference in pitching, back TWINS (-135).

PASS.

It is not easy to consistently cover as a home favorite. The Twins are just 28-24 ATS in this situation. Despite the odds, the moneyline presents more value here. Tampa Bay is 12-8 ATS as a road underdog as well.

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LEAN OVER 8.5 (-105).

Both teams have been strong offensively lately. The Twins are 6-3 O/U over their last 9 games while the Rays are 4-0 O/U in their last 4 games and 6-2 O/U in their last 8. Tampa Bay is 78-63-4 O/U on the season. Also, the Rays have scored 6 or more runs in 4 straight games.

Given the high-octane bats for both sides, back OVER 8.5 (-105).