Rays vs. Twins Prediction and Odds for June 11 (Shane Baz Returns for Tampa)
By Josh Yourish
Drew Rassmussen -- allowing four runs over 4.1 innings -- couldn't get the job done for the Rays in game one against Minnesota. Now, the Rays will hand the ball to Shane Baz, who is returning from injury and making his first start of the year, fourth of his career.
The Twins offense has been powered by the hot bats of Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa. Correa has homered in two straight games and Buxton has hit two homers in each of the last two games.
Minnesota will hand the ball to Chi Chi Gonzalez who comes in with a 9.00 ERA, but that only comes from one start back on June 3 against Toronto.
Odds are available in the WynnBET Sportsbook
Rays vs. Twins Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line
- Rays -1.5 (+125)
- Twins +1.5 (-145)
Moneyline
- Rays -125
- Twins +115
Total
- 9 (Over +100 / Under -120)
Rays vs. Twins Prediction and Pick
The Twins rotation is still banged up, missing key pieces like Chris Paddack and Kenta Maeda to injury. Chi Chi Gonzalez will be needed to make starts for the time being, almost no matter the performance. The performance was not great in his first outing of the year, where he gave up three runs in three innings.
The Rays on the other hand are slowly beginning to get healthy and the return of Baz has allowed them to send the struggling Ryan Yarbrough down to Triple A Durham. Baz was very good in his three starts at the end of the regular season a year ago, but the last time he was on a major league mound did not go to plan.
Baz allowed three runs over 2.1 innings against Boston in the ALDS and has not pitched for Tampa since. I expect a return to form along with his return to the mound. I know I hammered this point home, but don’t forget Baz was "the player to be named later" from Pittsburgh in the Chris Archer trade, and every pitcher who leaves the Pirates is great solely to make me sad.
Pick: Rays ML -125
Follow all of Josh's bets in real time HERE