Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 3/24/2022 Picks Predictions Previews
The Tampa Bay Rays will meet with the Minnesota Twins in MLB action in Hammond Stadium Fort Myers, FL, on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 1:05 PM ET. The Tampa Bay Rays were eliminated in the ALDS by the Cinderella tale Boston Red Sox, revealing the team’s dire need for pitching depth.
They leaned on their bullpen arms, such as Collin McHugh, Shane McClanahan, and Drew Rasmussen, to get through the first 3 innings or so, leaving them susceptible in the latter innings owing to their bullpen’s exhaustion. But, let’s face it, their bullpen was in shambles.
During the regular season, their “arm barn” ranked in the top 5 in ERA, WHIP, BAA, and strikeouts, and with a few exceptions, most of those bullpen arms will be back in 2022.
Wander Franco, an emerging star on offense, with a .288 batting average and .810 OPS in 70 regular-season matches. Shane Baz was called up late in the 2021 season to aid the Rays’ starting lineup.
- The Rays are 1-4 in their last 5 matches against the spread.
- The totals went OVER in 3 of Tampa Bay’s previous 5 games.
- The totals went OVER in 17 of the Rays’ 35 last matches at home.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins Predictions 3/24/2022
Joe Ryan was the Twins‘ probable #1 choice once Michael Pineda became a free agent. Ryan only tossed 26.2 innings in the majors, but his nasty repertoire, which includes a curveball with a 50% whiff rate and a .000 BAA in 2021, showed a lot of promise.
When the lockout concluded, the Twins executed a “blockbuster” transaction in obtaining Sonny Gray and Francis Peguero in exchange for Chase Petty, Minnesota’s first-round selection in 2021. On the surface, Gray’s season was his poorest since 2018.
Gray’s 4.19 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 2021 were marginally better than in 2018, but when it came to hard-hit rate, barrel rate, xSLG, and xERA, he was in the 85th percentile or better in 2021. Gray’s 3.25 xERA was the greatest of his career, and despite the Twins giving up a quality prospect, Gray can now help Minnesota succeed.
The Twins have a good offense that will score runs, but their pitching staff is below average. Gray and Bundy are the Twins’ starting lineup’s life and soul (which is worrisome), and their bullpen’s lack of competent pitchers will hold them back.
- The Minnesota Twins are 4-1 in their previous 5 matches against the spread.
- Minnesota is 14-21 in their road matches against the spread.
- The totals went OVER in 22 of the Twins’ 37 previous games at home.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins. The MLB pick for this game is the Tampa Bay Rays. However, with power-hitting Nelson Cruz on the market, the Rays may be able to fill a hole in the middle of the roster.
With Franco, Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, and Austin Meadows form a formidable top of the order, but they may need to make a signing or two to improve the bottom half. The Rays are a gritty group that usually manages to find a way to win 80 matches, so if they strengthen their starting pitching, they may be a danger to win the AL East.
They are, nevertheless, battling for a Wild Card spot, in my opinion. I expect Tampa Bay to finish above .500 again in what is perhaps baseball’s finest division. The Tampa Bay Rays will win to a predicted score of 3-2.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 3/24/2022 Picks Predictions Previews
MLB Starting Time: 1:05 PM ET
Location: Hammond Stadium Fort Myers, FL
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2022
TV: BSN
MLB Odds: Tampa Bay Rays -1
MLB Totals: 4