Twins vs. Rays Series Preview: Pitching Matchups and Broadcast Info

The Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays are set for a three-game series at Target Field. Fans can expect a weekend full of dynamic matchups and standout players, with both teams hoping to shift their momentum.

Injuries have hit both clubs, but there are still plenty of bright spots in each lineup. Whether you’re catching the action on Twins.tv, 830-AM, or 102.9-FM, here’s what’s worth knowing.

Twin Cities Showdown: Rays vs. Twins Pitching Matchups

This series really puts the spotlight on pitching. Each game could swing on the arms that take the mound.

Friday’s opener has Tampa Bay’s Zack Littell (7-7, 3.61 ERA) up against Minnesota’s Chris Paddack (3-7, 4.70 ERA). Littell’s been a steady hand for the Rays, while Paddack will try to get back on track facing a tough lineup.

Weekend Highlights on the Mound

• Saturday: Taj Bradley (5-6, 4.84 ERA) gets the ball for Tampa Bay and hopes to shake off recent struggles.
• Sunday: Rays ace Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.78 ERA) faces Twins standout Joe Ryan (8-4, 2.75 ERA) in a matchup that should draw plenty of attention.

Ryan has been one of the few reliable starters for Minnesota this year. He’ll have his hands full trying to contain Tampa Bay’s offense.

Rasmussen, meanwhile, anchors the Rays’ rotation with an impressive ERA and has become a real difference-maker.

Hot Streak Meets Struggles: Rays on Fire, Twins in a Slump

The Rays come in red-hot, winning 27 of 40 games since May 20. They’ve also gone 25-16 against teams with winning records, which is no small feat.

The Twins? Well, they’re still searching for answers, having won just six of their last 22. A rough 2-4 road trip didn’t help, and now they’re desperate to turn things around at home.

Rays Key Contributors

Tampa Bay’s been getting big performances from a few key guys:

• Brandon Lowe: He’s riding an 18-game hitting streak, batting .380. Not too shabby.
• Junior Caminero: The team’s power threat, already with 21 home runs—third in the AL.
• Jonathan Aranda: Batting .320, good for third in the league. He’s just been steady.
• José Caballero: Leads the AL with 30 stolen bases, making things happen on the bases.
• Chandler Simpson: Rookie with speed to burn, tied for second in the AL with 23 steals.

Despite a payroll of just $79.2 million—third-lowest in MLB—Tampa Bay keeps punching above its weight. They’re 20-14 on the road and have a 7-5 record against AL Central teams.

The Twins’ X-Factor: Royce Lewis Returns

Injuries have hammered the Twins lately. Bailey Ober, Zebby Matthews, Pablo López, and Luke Keaschall are all out, forcing the rotation to make do.

But here’s a glimmer of hope: Royce Lewis is back. He’s just off the injured list and has collected hits in six of his last seven games.

Baldelli’s Managerial Milestone

Manager Rocco Baldelli is closing in on 500 wins as the Twins’ skipper—just two away. Reaching that mark this weekend would mean a lot for the team’s morale.

Can Baldelli’s leadership help the Twins snap out of this funk? We’ll see.

Looking Ahead: Cubs on the Horizon

Once the Rays series wraps, the Twins stay home to face the Chicago Cubs for three games. The Cubs bring a mix of veteran experience and young talent.

This next stretch could be huge for Minnesota if they want to get back in the playoff hunt. They’ll need to find their rhythm—and fast.

Don’t Miss the Action

Catch all the excitement as the Rays and Twins battle for supremacy. Whether you’re at Target Field or just tuning in from your couch, you won’t want to miss it.

These matchups promise standout players and real postseason stakes. Honestly, this series might be one fans talk about for a while.

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