Preview: Rays, Twins Open Series in Chilly Target Field

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (Interstat) — Two American League teams looking to shake early-season struggles will meet under wintry conditions Friday afternoon when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

The forecast calls for a game-time temperature of 34 degrees with snow, a stark setting for the first of a three-game series. Both clubs enter with identical 2-4 records.

Tampa Bay, coming off a 2-8 loss at Milwaukee on Wednesday, will send right-hander Joe Boyle (0-0) to the mound for his first start of 2026. He will be opposed by Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (0-0), also making his season debut.

A player to watch for the Rays is right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who has been a bright spot despite two losses. In his last start Wednesday, he allowed one earned run on two hits with eight strikeouts over five innings. For Minnesota, right-hander Taj Bradley is coming off a strong outing, throwing six scoreless innings with three strikeouts in a 5-1 win over Kansas City on Thursday.

The Rays’ offense seeks consistency after scoring two runs or fewer in three of their losses. Designated hitter Yandy Díaz provided a highlight in the last game with a home run and two RBIs. The Twins, who split a four-game set in Kansas City, got a key home run from Kody Clemens in their Thursday victory.

Projections for the series opener are mixed. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 2-1 Twins victory. However, the same outlet’s ELO system gives the Rays a 52.4% probability to win. Tampa Bay has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5, and the over/under is set at 7.5 runs.

Following this series, the Rays return home for a six-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. The Twins will host the Detroit Tigers for four games before embarking on a road trip to Toronto.