Twins @ Rays

Who will WIN this matchup?

Minnesota Twins (38-18)

@ Tampa Bay Rays (35-20)

Starting Pitchers:

Gibson (MIN): 5-2; 4.08 ERA

Chirinos (TB) 6-1; 2.91 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Minnesota Twins: 8-2

Tampa Bay Rays: 8-2

Current odds:

Minnesota Twins: (TBD)

Tampa Bay Rays: (TBD)

• The Minnesota Twins continue to prove their hot start is no fluke and their homer-happy offense can challenge the best pitching staffs even without the long ball. The Twins will try to ensure themselves a split of a four-game series when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays for the third of a four-game series on Saturday. Minnesota tied a single-season franchise mark by scoring at least three runs for the 24th straight game when they evened the series at one win apiece with a 5-3 triumph on Friday, getting a two-run single from Eddie Rosario in the top of the ninth inning to provide the winning margin. The Twins, who dropped the series opener 14-3 on Thursday, are winners of 13 of their last 16 and have a chance to further increase their 10 1/2-game division lead during their 10-game road trip with a visit to American League Central-rival Cleveland coming early next week.

• The Rays had a six-game winning streak come to an end with Friday’s setback, and Rosario’s ninth-inning single snapped a string of nine consecutive games allowing three or fewer runs. Tampa Bay will try to lock down the Minnesota offense with Yonny Chirinos working the bulk of the innings on Saturday while the Twins counter with righty Kyle Gibson.

• Gibson is coming off one of his best starts after holding the Chicago White Sox to one run and five hits while striking out nine over seven innings to earn a win last Saturday. The Missouri product has surrendered three or fewer earned runs in seven of his last nine outings and owns 60 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. Gibson lost at Tampa Bay last season but breezed through eight innings at home against the Rays on July 12, striking out nine and yielding one run.

• Chirinos could get the start or take the mound following an opener, as he has is six of his 11 appearances. The 25-year-old Venezuela native got the start on Monday against Toronto and struck out seven in five hitless innings to earn the win. Chirinos made one appearance against Minnesota during his 2018 rookie campaign, allowing two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings without factoring in the decision.

• Rays C Mike Zunino (quad) was activated off the injured on Friday and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

• Twins OF Max Kepler is 0-for-9 in the series after coming in on a 10-game hitting streak.

• Tampa Bay OFs Tommy Pham (leg) and Avisail Garcia (hamstring) sat out Friday and are day-to-day.