Twins vs Rays Picks and Prediction – 6/8/2023

Division leaders clash on Thursday afternoon, when the Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays conclude their series from Tropicana Field. The Twins (31-31) are looking to snap a four-game losing streak and hold a three-game lead over Cleveland for the top spot in the AL Central Division. Last night, Minnesota went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base during a 2-1 road loss. 

Twenty-seven year old righty Bailey Ober (3-2 2.33 ERA) will make his ninth start of the season for the Twins. Last time out, Ober limited Cleveland batters to four hits across six shutout frames during a 1-0 home victory. 

The Tampa Bay Rays have clobbered a major league best 107 home runs and have opened up a six-game lead over Baltimore for AL East Division supremacy. On Wednesday, All-Star OF Randy Arozarena walked it off for Tampa Bay with a solo shot against flame-throwing Minnesota RP Jhoan Duran. 3B Isaac Paredes put the Rays (45-19) on the scoreboard first with his ninth round tripper.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash will turn to talented right-hander Tyler Glasnow (0-0 3.72 ERA) on Thursday. Glasnow, who was sidelined to start the season with an oblique injury, has fanned 14 batters through his first nine plus innings.