Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays Free MLB Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/23/2014
Thursday, April 24, 1:10 PM on FSN, SUN
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
Minnesota Twins - Nolasco, R (1-2) vs. Tampa Bay Rays - Bedard, E (0-0)
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
Tropicana Field will be the home to a Thursday afternoon game between the visiting Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays. The pitching matchup will see two veterans with Ricky Nolasco getting the ball for the Twins, while left hander Erik Bedard will throw for the Rays.
Nolasco has been a reliable arm in whatever rotation he has been in during his Major League Baseball career, but he has not jumped out to a great start this season. In 4 starts, he is 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA, allowing 16 earned runs on 33 hits and 7 walks with 12 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. He has allowed 5 earned runs in 3 of those starts and could be in for a rough game against the Rays. The current roster of Tampa Bay players is hitting .297 off him with 7 home runs. Matt Joyce has 2 of those home runs, while James Loney, Yunel Escobar, Logan Forsythe, Sean Rodriguez and Ryan Hanigan have the others.
Bedard has had a rough go of things for the past 6 seasons, failing to reach double digit win totals. He has made 2 appearances this season with 1 start and has allowed 4 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 5 2/3 innings. In his career against the current Twins, he has pitched well, allowing only 18 hits in 92 at-bats without allowing a home run.
Minnesota Twins Betting Trends
Minnesota Twins are 14-4-0 against the Over/Under
Run Differential for Minnesota Twins is 0.4
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends
Tampa Bay Rays are 9-9-1 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Tampa Bay Rays is 0.1
Injuries to Watch
Minnesota Twins
04/11/14 LF Josh Willingham Wrist 15-day DL (4/7)
04/09/14 RF Oswaldo Arcia Wrist 15-day DL (4/5)
04/07/14 SS Jason Bartlett Ankle 15-day DL (4/7)
Tampa Bay Rays
04/21/14 CF Desmond Jennings Groin probable
04/13/14 P Alex Cobb Oblique 15-day DL (4/13)
04/08/14 P Matt Moore Elbow 15-day DL (4/8), out for season
03/30/14 2B Tim Beckham Knee 15-day DL (3/30)
03/28/14 P Jeremy Hellickson Elbow 15-day DL (3/30)
Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay
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