Rays vs Twins: Close Matchup with Injuries

0:00It's April 3rd, from first pitch to the final out. This is MLB News Today, powered by AI, I'm Cory with the story. Both the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins are sitting at two wins and four losses early the season, kicking off a three game series Friday at four. 10 p.m. Eastern in Minneapolis. Rays send Joe Boyle to the mound, zero and zero, with a 3.00 ERA and just four strikeouts so far. Twins counter with Bayley Ober, also zero and zero, but a 6.75 ERA and one strikeout. Odds are tight, with Twins as slight favorites at minus 1-12 and Rays at minus 1-07 over under set at seven and a half runs. Makes sense for a matchup, where both squads are finding their groove after rough starts. Last year, Twins finished 70 and 92 overall, 38 and 43 at home, averaging 4.2 runs scored by giving up, 4.8. Rays win 77 and 85, struggling on the road at 36 and 45, though their pitchers posted

1:04a solid 3.9, 5 ERA with 8.9 strikeouts per 9 innings. Injuries are hitting both sides hard. Twins missing David Festa with a shoulder issue on the 15-day IL, Travis Adams triceps on 15-day and Pablo Lopez elbow on 60-day. These dealing with Steven Wilson back on 60-day, Edwin you set a shoulder 15-day, Gavin Lux shoulder 10-day, Ryan Pepeyot hip, 15-day Manuel, Rodriguez elbow 60-day and Taylor Walls oblique on 10-day. This series could shake up their early standings, especially with those pitching staffs under pressure to deliver in a close one.