Twins @ Rays

Who will WIN this matchup?

Minnesota Twins (37-18)

@ Tampa Bay Rays (35-19)

Starting Pitchers:

Berrios (MIN): 7-2; 3.20 ERA

Stanek (TB) 0-1; 2.97 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Minnesota Twins: 7-3

Tampa Bay Rays: 8-2

Current odds:

Minnesota Twins: (+120)

Tampa Bay Rays: (-130)

• The Minnesota Twins feature the most potent offense in the major leagues but they were upstaged in a big way by the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a four-game series. After spoiling first-year manager Rocco Baldelli’s return to Tampa Bay with a 14-3 thumping, the surging Rays will look to extend their winning streak to seven games on Friday night against the Twins. Austin Meadows continued his white-hot tear by running his hitting streak to seven games while collecting 11 RBIs during a string of five straight multiple-hit contests. Brandon Lowe also has been a reliable run producer with 13 RBIs over the past 12 games for Tampa Bay, which closed within a half-game of the New York Yankees atop the American League East.

• Baldelli, who spent 18 of the past 19 seasons with the Rays as a player and other roles, was honored with a video tribute before Tampa Bay ambushed his team by jumping to an 11-run lead through four innings. Ehire Adrianza and Jason Castro each had two hits for Minnesota, which lost for only the third time in 15 games after entering the series with the best record in baseball.

• One of three Minnesota pitchers with seven wins on the season, Berrios picked up the victory last time out against the Chicago White Sox after allowing four runs (one earned) and nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old Puerto Rican has been reached for 13 runs over his last three turns and has struggled in his career against the Rays, posting an 0-2 record and 8.44 ERA in three starts. However, Tampa Bay’s current roster is batting a collective .211 against Berrios, who will be pitching on six days’ rest.

• Stanek allowed one hit over two scoreless innings against Toronto on Tuesday, marking the 10th time in his last 12 appearances while serving as Tampa Bay’s opener that he has not surrendered a run. The former first-round pick has been superb in 12 appearances at Tropicana Field, sporting a 0.50 ERA (six runs lower than on the road) while holding opposition to a .161 batting average. Stanek made two appearances against the Twins in 2018, striking out five and giving up one run in three innings.

• Rays RF Avisail Garcia is 9-for-18 during a four-game hitting streak.

• Twins SS Jorge Polanco, batting a team-high .335, sat out the series opener due to flu-like symptoms.

• Rays OF/DH Tommy Pham exited Thursday’s game with a right lower leg cramp.