<p>
Its the 71-65 Minnesota Twins versus the 68-70 Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of a three-game set at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida tonight. The first pitch at Tropicana Field is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET.
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<p>
The betting board at 5Dimes lists the Rays as -120 home favorites over the visiting Twins. The O/U line is offered up at 8.5 runs.
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<p>
In their last game, the Twins lost to the Kansas City Royals 5-4. In the contest, the Twins scored four runs on five hits and the Royals scored five runs on nine hits.
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<p>
In their latest, the Rays lost to the Chicago White Sox 6-2. In the match, the Rays scored two runs on only four hits and the White Sox scored six runs on eight hits.
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This season the Twins rank 9th in the Majors in runs scored and 21st in team ERA.
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The Rays rank 23rd in the Majors in runs scored and 9th in team ERA.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
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<p>
Minnesota: Jose Berrios (12-6, 3.80 ERA)<br />
Tampa Bay: Alex Cobb (9-9, 3.72 ERA)
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<p>
Jose Berrios gets the nod in this series opener and his last outing was a great one going seven innings and not allowing any runs only giving up four hits and he also struck out 11 batters. Minnesota has won two of his last three games, which were both at home, where he did not give up any earned runs. Last season Berrios faced the Rays in his lone career start against them going five innings and giving up four runs in a Minnesota loss. Minnesota has lost his last seven road starts and they have lost four of his last five starts after a Quality Start in his previous outing.
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<p>
Alex Cobb goes for the Rays tonight and in his last outing he went six innings and gave up three earned runs in a 6-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Tampa Bay has lost three of his last four starts where in the first loss he was lit up for eight earned runs, but in his last three outings has given up four earned runs. Cobb faced the Twins in late May and had a good start giving up one earned run in five innings of work in an 8-6 Rays win. Tampa Bay has won five of Cobb’s last seven home starts, but they have lost four of his last five home starts against a team that has a winning record.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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<p>
The Rays are 23-11 in their last 34 games against the Twins.
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<p>
The Twins are 6-2 in their last8 games against the Rays in Tampa Bay.
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In the last 15 games between these teams the Over record is 12-3.
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<p>
In the last 9 games between these teams in Tampa Bay the total has gone OVER every time.
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This season the Rays are 34-33 at home and the Twins are 36-28 on the road.
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<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
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Minnesota Twins: 71-65 SU / O/U 61-66 / Run Line W/L 71-65<br />
Tampa Bay Rays: 68-70 SU / O/U 68-67 / Run Line W/L 67-71
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<h2>
Minnesota at Tampa Bay Key Betting Trends<br />
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<ul>
<li>
MINN is 5-2 in their last 7 overall
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<li>
MINN is 7-3 in their last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter
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MINN has an Under record of 5-1 in their last 6 road games
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TB is 4-0 in their last 4 during game 1 of a series
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<li>
TB is 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss
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<li>
TB has an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 games
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<h3>
Key Player Injuries<br />
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<p>
<b>TWINS</b><br />
[P] 05/28/2017 - Justin Haley 10-day DL (05/28) ( Shoulder )<br />
[P] 05/28/2017 - Ryan O'Rourke 60-day DL (03/30) ( Forearm )<br />
[P] 03/11/2017 - Trevor May 60-day DL (03/22) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 08/08/2017 - Adalberto Mejia 10-day DL (08/08) ( Arm )<br />
[P] 07/19/2017 - Phil Hughes 60-day DL (07/19) ( Illness )<br />
[P] 07/06/2017 - Hector Santiago 60-day DL (07/03) ( Back )<br />
[LF] 08/17/2017 - Robbie Grossman 10-day DL (08/17) ( Thumb )<br />
[P] 08/17/2017 - Dietrich Enns 10-day DL (08/17) ( Shoulder )<br />
[C] 08/24/2017 - Jason Castro 10-day DL (08/24) ( Concussion )<br />
[3B] 08/20/2017 - Miguel Sano 10-day DL (08/21) ( Shin )
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<b>RAYS</b><br />
[P] 08/21/2017 - Jacob Faria 10-day DL (08/17) ( Abdominal )<br />
[P] 09/02/2017 - Chris Archer left last game, "?" for next scheduled start ( Forearm )<br />
[LF] 06/09/2017 - Rickie Weeks Jr. 10-day DL (06/09) ( Shoulder )<br />
[LF] 06/23/2017 - Colby Rasmus 10-day DL (06/19) ( Hip )<br />
[P] 06/26/2017 - Diego Moreno 60-day DL (05/22) ( Shoulder )<br />
[P] 04/01/2017 - Nathan Eovaldi 60-day DL (03/10) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 05/18/2017 - Xavier Cedeno 60-day DL (04/18) ( Forearm )<br />
[P] 06/01/2017 - Shawn Tolleson 60-day DL (04/01) ( Elbow )<br />
[3B] 06/01/2017 - Matt Duffy 60-day DL (04/02) ( Achilles )<br />
[P] 06/01/2017 - Kevin Gadea 60-day DL (03/26) ( Elbow )
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