NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Game Picks 
Top Handicapper 
Minnesota Twins vs Tampa Bay Rays July 4th 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The game is set for Friday, July 4, 2025, at 4:10 PM. Fans can catch the action on FDSSU as these two teams meet in an afternoon game.
The Rays, led by manager Kevin Cash, hold a 48-39 record this season. They are just one game back in the AL East. Meanwhile, the Twins, managed by Rocco Baldelli, have a 41-46 record and sit 12 games back in the AL Central. On the mound, Zack Littell will start for the Rays, while Chris Paddack will pitch for the Twins.
Rays vs Twins Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Minnesota Twins
- Venue: Target Field in Minneapolis, MN
- Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
- Betting Odds: Rays Moneyline -102, Twins Moneyline -117, Rays Runline -1.5 (+149), Twins Runline +1.5 (-184), Total Over 9.5 (-116), Total Under 9.5 (-105)
The Rays Can Win If…
The Tampa Bay Rays recently secured a 6-5 victory against the None Athletics. Ryan Pepiot delivered a strong performance, pitching six innings and striking out nine batters. Yandy Díaz, Josh Lowe, and Jake Mangum each hit a home run, contributing to the team’s offensive power.
The Rays’ batting lineup is one of their strengths, with a team batting average of .259, ranking 2nd in the league. They also lead the league in stolen bases with 113. This speed on the bases can create scoring opportunities and put pressure on the opposing defense.
Zack Littell will start on the mound for the Rays, bringing an ERA of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.07. His consistency can keep the opposing hitters in check. With the Rays’ combination of solid pitching and strong hitting, they have a good chance to win the upcoming game against the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins Can Win If…
The Minnesota Twins are set to play the Tampa Bay Rays at home. In their last game, they lost to the Miami Marlins 4-1. Matt Wallner was a standout, hitting a home run and driving in the Twins’ only run.
The Twins have strong hitting stats that could lead them to victory. They rank 12th in the league with 97 home runs and 11th with 135 doubles. Their lineup includes Byron Buxton, who has a .272 average and 19 home runs.
Chris Paddack will start for the Twins. His ERA is 4.70, but he has shown potential with a WHIP of 1.23. The Twins’ pitching staff ranks 10th in strikeouts, which could be key against the Rays.
The Lean
The Twins are favored slightly on the moneyline at -117, while the Rays are at -102. Given the Twins’ better pitching stats, with an ERA of 3.74 compared to the Rays’ 4.15, the pick is the Twins to win. The model projects a score of Twins 5, Rays 4.
The total for the game is set at 9.5 runs. With both teams showing decent hitting capabilities and the Twins’ slightly better pitching, the game is likely to stay under. The model projects a total of 9 runs, suggesting the under 9.5 at -105 is the better pick.
Day Advantage Awaits – Register Here!
Handicapping Membership
Ha-Seong Kim Set for Rays Debut as They Open Series vs. Slumping Twins
The rich are about to get richer in the American League East. The surging Tampa Bay Rays, hot on the heels of the first-place Yankees, will get a major reinforcement on Friday afternoon as Gold Glove infielder Ha-Seong Kim is set to make his team debut. He’ll join the lineup as the Rays open a three-game series against the host and slumping Minnesota Twins.
A Welcome Reinforcement
Kim, a key free-agent signing for the Rays this past offseason, has been sidelined all year while recovering from shoulder surgery. His return provides a huge boost to an already potent lineup, adding stellar defense and a solid bat. His debut comes as the Rays begin a long 10-game road trip to close out the first half of the season.
An “Unacceptable” Approach
While the Rays are adding pieces, the Twins are searching for answers. Their offense has gone completely cold, scoring just three total runs in their last four games. Manager Rocco Baldelli was blunt in his assessment of his team’s poor plate discipline.
“We can’t go up there and expand (the strike zone),” Baldelli said. “First pitch to a lot of guys, well out of the zone, we’re offering on those pitches. It’s unacceptable. We’ll hold ourselves accountable on that.” How a team breaks out of a deep offensive slump is a key topic in our expert betting guide.
A Rematch on the Mound
Friday’s pitching matchup is a direct rematch from May 26, a game the Rays won. Tampa Bay will start right-hander Zack Littell (7-7, 3.61 ERA), who is coming off a fantastic performance where he allowed just one run over seven innings.
The Twins will counter with Chris Paddack (3-7, 4.70 ERA), who will be making his 100th career start. Paddack has struggled, with just one win in his last eight outings, and he took the loss to Littell and the Rays back in May. This pitching matchup will be a key focus on the scores and odds board.
For two MLB teams heading in opposite directions, this series opener is a crucial tone-setter. To see if our experts think Kim’s debut will spark another Rays win, check out our daily MLB picks.
