Twins vs Rays Picks and Prediction – 6/6/2023

Division leaders will square off on Tuesday night, when the Minnesota Twins invade Tropicana Field to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Twins (31-29) have dropped consecutive games and hold a 3.5 game lead over two teams in the AL Central Division race. On Sunday, Minnesota went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and struck out 16 times during a 2-1 home loss versus Cleveland. 

Twenty-five year old righty Louie Varland (3-1 3.51 ERA) will make his eighth start of the season for the Twins. Last time out, Varland fanned five batters across seven shutout frames during an 8-2 road victory against Houston.

The Tampa Bay Rays have won 26 of their first 32 home games and own a 4.5 game cushion over Baltimore for the top spot in the AL East Division. On Monday, Tampa Bay DH Yandy Diaz had a pair of hits and scored a run during a 4-1 road victory against Boston. SP Shane McClanahan (9-1) allowed one run in six innings to earn the win for the Rays, who improved to a major league best 43-19 overall.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash will turn to prized free agent signing Zach Eflin (7-1 3.30 ERA) on Tuesday. Through 60 innings of work, Eflin has allowed eight home runs and struck out 57 batters while posting a sparkling 1.00 WHIP.