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Rays vs. Twins Prediction and Odds for Sunday, June 12 (Jeffrey Spings is on Tear Shows No Sign of Stopping)

By Matt De Saro

Tampa Bay Rays v Texas Rangers
Tampa Bay Rays v Texas Rangers / Tim Heitman/GettyImages
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The Minnesota Twins are barely clinging to their lead in the AL Central after a very rough start to June.

Since the end of May, the Twins are 4-6 straight up and almost got swept by an awful Detroit Tigers team. They ended up losing just three of four. Minnesota was also knocked around by the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of this three-game series. With an obvious pitching mismatch, it’s hard to imagine the Twins winning Game 3 before the Rays leave town. 

Here are the odds for this game from consensus sportsbooks.

Rays vs. Twins Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Rays: +1.5 (-200)
  • Twins: -1.5 (+170)

Moneyline:

  • Rays: -105
  • Twins: -115

Total:

  • Total 8 (Over -115/Under -105)

Rays vs. Twins Prediction and Pick

The pitching mismatch of which I am referring to features Jeffrey Springs and Cole Sands. The former will make his 8th start of the year for Tampa Bay while the latter suits up for the fifth time as a Twin. 

Sands is a rookie and it appears his call-up to the bigs was a bit immature. In four appearances, including two starts, Sands is 0-2 with an 8.49 ERA and 1.97 WHIP. It’s a small sample size, but enough that I don’t have any faith in this kind holding onto this roster spot for too much longer. He faced the Rays one already this year and gave up two earned runs in two innings of relief. It took him 30 pitches to get through nine batters and pretty much set the tone for his season up until now. The current Rays lineup is hitting .286 against him with an OPS of .714. 

Springs, meanwhile, has been phenomenal this season in 15 appearances, including seven starts. After posting a 0.93 ERA in April out of the bullpen, Springs was stretched out and earned himself a spot in this rotation. He’s been rolling since moving into the rotation and has an ERA around 1.80 in seven starts. His only real weak spot is home runs and the only runs Springs has given up all year have come off of long balls. 

With such a solid starter on the mound, I think the Rays are a strong bet at solid odds on the road. 

Pick: Rays -105

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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