Joe Ryan Eyes Revenge as Twins Challenge Hot Rays

Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins May 27th 2025

The Minnesota Twins head to George M. Steinbrenner Field to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. The game is set for Tuesday, May 27, 2025, with a start time of 7:05 PM. This night game will feature Joe Ryan on the mound for the Twins.

Ryan enters the game with an impressive ERA of 2.68 and a WHIP of 0.81. The Rays will counter with Taj Bradley, who has an ERA of 4.61 and a WHIP of 1.31. Both teams will look to gain an edge in this matchup.

Twins vs Rays Key Information

Sport: Baseball
Teams: Twins vs. Rays
Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field
Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Betting Odds: Twins Spread -1.5 (+138), Rays Spread +1.5 (-166), Twins MoneyLine -124, Rays MoneyLine +105, Over/Under 8.5

The Twins Can Win If…

The Minnesota Twins are set to take on the Tampa Bay Rays after a recent 7-2 loss. Chris Paddack pitched well, allowing only two earned runs over 5 1/3 innings. Carlos Correa led the offense with a two-run homer, while Ty France and Christian Vázquez each added a hit.

The Twins have a strong pitching staff, with a team ERA of 3.28, ranking third in the league. Joe Ryan will start, bringing an impressive 2.68 ERA and a WHIP of 0.81. The Twins’ pitching has allowed only 47 home runs this season, showing their ability to keep opposing hitters in check.

Offensively, the Twins have power in their lineup with 50 home runs and 84 doubles. Ty France and Ryan Jeffers are key contributors, with France leading the team in RBIs. Despite recent struggles, the Twins’ balanced attack and strong pitching give them a solid chance to win against the Rays.

The Rays Can Win If…

The Tampa Bay Rays are riding high after a 7-2 win against the Minnesota Twins. Zack Littell pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, allowing just one run and three hits. Jonathan Aranda led the offense with a home run and three RBIs, while Danny Jansen and José Caballero each added two RBIs.

The Rays have shown strong pitching and defense, with a team ERA of 3.66, ranking 10th in the league. They also have a WHIP of 1.19, placing them 7th. Their ability to limit home runs, with only 72 allowed, is key to their success.

On offense, the Rays excel in speed with 71 stolen bases, the most in the league. Jonathan Aranda’s batting average of .302 and Brandon Lowe’s 10 home runs are vital for their lineup. With Taj Bradley starting, they aim to continue their winning streak against the Twins.

The Lean

The Minnesota Twins are favored with a moneyline of -124 against the Tampa Bay Rays, who have a moneyline of +105. The Twins have a strong pitching staff with a 3.28 ERA, ranking 3rd in the league. Given their pitching strength and the Rays’ higher home runs allowed, the recommendation is to pick the Twins to win straight up.

The over/under line for the game is set at 8.5 runs. The Twins and Rays both have similar slugging percentages at .379, but the Twins’ pitching should limit scoring. With the Twins’ ERA and WHIP both ranking 3rd, the projected total score is likely to be lower. Therefore, the recommendation is to take the under at 8.5 runs.

Ex-Rays Prospect Joe Ryan Looks to Lead Twins Past Hot Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are sizzling—and nobody’s feeling the heat more than the visiting Minnesota Twins. With Tampa surging and riding a six-game win streak, the Twins are turning to someone who knows the Rays’ playbook well: Joe Ryan.

Ryan, once a top prospect in the Rays’ system, will take the mound Tuesday against his former club. And while emotions might run high, his focus is locked on halting the hottest team in baseball.

Rays Are Rolling: Offense, Pitching, and Momentum

Monday’s 7-2 win over the Twins wasn’t just another tally in the win column—it was proof that the Rays are hitting their stride. With home runs from Jonathan Aranda and Danny Jansen, plus another solid outing from Zack Littell, the team looks nothing like the one that hovered around .500 just weeks ago.

“There’s a lot of energy right now,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I think winning helps show that energy.”

Now 6-1 on their current nine-game homestand, Tampa Bay is combining consistent hitting with opportunistic pitching—something that has them trending in the right direction.

Catch more teams heating up on our MLB Picks page.

Lineup Leaders Finding Their Groove

Brandon Lowe extended his hitting streak to nine games, a clear sign he’s regaining his swing.
Curtis Mead isn’t far behind, riding an eight-game hit streak.
The Rays have outscored opponents 26-4 over the last four games, a sign of their improved balance at the plate.

Add in power, patience, and base-running savvy, and this team suddenly looks ready to climb the standings.

Taj Bradley: Searching for Consistency

Tuesday’s starter for Tampa Bay, Taj Bradley (4-3, 4.61 ERA), brings electric stuff but hasn’t quite put it all together this season. Over four starts in May, he’s shown flashes of dominance, but control issues have inflated his ERA.

In 56.2 innings, Bradley has walked 24 batters and surrendered eight home runs. Opponents are hitting .242 against him—manageable, but far from dominant.

Bradley has also struggled against the Twins, going 0-1 with a 5.09 ERA in three starts. The long ball has been an issue against Minnesota, with five homers allowed in just 17.2 innings.

If Bradley can’t find his rhythm early, Tampa’s bullpen may be called in quickly.

For advanced matchup stats, check the MLB Odds breakdown.

Joe Ryan: Facing the Team That Drafted Him

Joe Ryan (4-2, 2.68 ERA) knows the Rays’ system well—because he was once at the center of it. Drafted in the seventh round in 2018, Ryan was thriving in Tampa’s farm system before being traded in the blockbuster Nelson Cruz deal of 2021.

Now with Minnesota, Ryan has emerged as a rotation cornerstone.

He’s faced the Rays twice before, pitching to a strong 2.53 ERA with no decisions. Tuesday night offers a chance for a signature outing—shutting down his former franchise during their hottest stretch.

Recent Form: Smooth and Steady

Ryan has been a bright spot in a somewhat inconsistent Twins rotation. On May 16, he dominated Milwaukee with six innings of two-hit ball and nine strikeouts, helping fuel Minnesota’s now-finished 13-game win streak.

His most recent outing was shorter—just five innings and three runs allowed—but he did enough to keep his team in the game in a 6-5 win over the Mariners.

Ryan’s control, calm demeanor, and high spin rate on his fastball make him one of the trickiest righties to square up.

Twins’ Offensive Woes Continue

Monday’s 7-2 loss wasn’t without effort. The Twins hit multiple line drives—but too many found gloves. Despite some hard contact, they couldn’t string together enough hits to challenge Littell or the Rays’ bullpen.

That’s been the theme lately: contact without results.

Without Byron Buxton, who remains on the concussion injured list, the lineup lacks its typical explosiveness.

Who Needs to Step Up?

Carlos Correa must anchor the middle of the order and drive in runs when opportunities arise.
Max Kepler and Trevor Larnach need to offer more than occasional power—they have to get on base.
Edouard Julien, a sparkplug at times, has cooled in recent weeks.

Minnesota is capable of big innings, but inconsistency has plagued them in May.

Rays’ Reinforcements on the Way

The Rays could soon get a boost to their lineup. On Monday, both Jake Mangum (groin) and Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) played rehab games at Triple-A Durham. Mangum went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI, while Kim finished 2-for-2.

Once cleared, both players will provide defensive versatility and depth to a Tampa team already surging.

Need up-to-date player moves? Follow your team here.

What to Expect Tuesday Night

Key Matchups

Joe Ryan vs Brandon Lowe: A red-hot bat against a familiar pitcher.
Taj Bradley vs Carlos Correa: Can Bradley avoid damage against the Twins’ veteran leader?
Bullpens: Tampa’s ‘pen is more consistent, but Minnesota’s relievers have been sneaky solid lately.

Keys to the Game

For the Rays:

Get Bradley through five clean innings.
Let the hot bats apply early pressure on Ryan.
Stay aggressive on the bases and force errors.

For the Twins:

Provide run support for Ryan early.
Minimize damage from Tampa’s streaking hitters.
Play cleaner defense—mistakes have cost them recently.

FAQs

Why is Joe Ryan starting against the Rays special?

Ryan was drafted by the Rays in 2018 and traded to the Twins in 2021. He’s now facing his former team during their hot streak.

How hot are the Rays right now?

Tampa Bay has won six straight and is 6-1 on their current homestand. They just swept the Blue Jays with a 19-2 run differential.

How has Taj Bradley performed this season?

Bradley has a 4.61 ERA and has struggled with walks and home runs despite a high strikeout rate.

Who’s out for the Twins?

Byron Buxton remains on the injured list with a concussion. His return date is unclear but he traveled with the team.

Which players are on rehab for Tampa?

Jake Mangum and Ha-Seong Kim played at Triple-A Durham and may rejoin the Rays soon.

What’s Joe Ryan’s ERA against the Rays?

In two starts, Ryan has posted a 2.53 ERA with no wins or losses.

Final Take: Fire Meets Familiarity in Tampa

Tuesday night is about more than just breaking a win streak or earning a road victory—it’s about legacy and leverage. Joe Ryan returns to face the team that drafted him, hoping to shut down their current tear and remind them what they gave up.

For the Rays, it’s about staying hot and proving their winning ways are sustainable. With their lineup clicking and reinforcements on the way, they’re shaping up to be one of the AL’s most dangerous squads.

Don’t blink. This one could be close.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins Picks and Predictions May 27th 2025