A key battle on the MLB odds menu sees visiting Minnesota duelling Tampa Bay on Sunday at Tropicana Field.

The Rays will rely on Jeremy Hellickson to turn in a quality outing on the mound in this one, while Brian Duensing will be his counterpart for the Twins. Jeremy Hellickson is 1-1 this season, and Brian Duensing is 0-0.



View Minnesota vs Tampa Bay Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
On the Sportsbook MLB line for this matchup, Tampa Bay sat as -140 favorites. The total was set at 8.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Tampa Bay's No. 11-rated American League offense, averaging 3.7 runs per game, against a Twins defense that ranks No. 9 in the American League at 4.8 in runs allowed per game. The Rays have averaged 7.4 hits per game so far, less than Twins batters have averaged on the year (8 hits per game).

Comparing defensive stats, Minnesota owns the American League's No. 10-rated road mark, allowing 5.2 runs per game on the highway. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, rates No. 14 in scoring at home.

Minnesota lost its last outing, a 4-3 result against the Rays on April 16. Bettors who backed the Rays at -131 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (7) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. The Twins endured a 4-3 loss at the hands of the Rays on Saturday, with Scott Baker throwing 7 innings of 4-hit ball at Tropicana Field.




Minnesota Twins Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Baltimore are 7-3
After playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Tampa Bay Rays Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Chi White Sox are 4-6
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

A few Twins at Rays trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Minnesota's last 11 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Tampa Bay's last 15 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Tampa Bay's last 11 games when playing at home against Minnesota


Next up:
Minnesota at Baltimore, Monday, April 18
Tampa Bay home to Chi White Sox, Monday, April 18