Rays Aim to Bounce Back Against Twins in Series Opener

Tampa Bay looks to get back on track after slow start to the season

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:52am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins, with the players and stadium environment broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.A cubist interpretation of the Rays and Twins battling it out on the diamond, reflecting the fractured nature of the early-season matchup.Minneapolis Today

The Tampa Bay Rays (2-4) will travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Twins (1-4) in the first game of their weekend series at Target Field. The Rays are favored at -182 on the moneyline, while the Twins are +150 underdogs. Tampa Bay will send right-hander Joe Boyle to the mound, while Minnesota counters with righty Bailey Ober.

Why it matters

Both teams have struggled out of the gate this season, making this an important early-season matchup as they look to gain ground in the AL standings. The Rays will aim to get their offense going after scoring just 5 runs per game so far, while the Twins will try to find more consistency on the mound after posting a 5.05 team ERA.

The details

The Rays' offense has shown some pop, hitting 6 home runs and 8 doubles, but they've also struck out 52 times. On the mound, Tampa Bay's pitching staff has a 5.44 ERA, 28th in MLB. For the Twins, their bats have been quiet, batting just .210 as a team, though they've drawn 25 walks. Minnesota's pitching has also struggled, with a 5.05 team ERA and 1.585 WHIP.

  • The game will take place on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Target Field in Minneapolis.
  • First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM local time.

The players

Joe Boyle

The Rays' starting pitcher, Boyle has a 4.90 ERA and 1.394 WHIP in his MLB career so far.

Bailey Ober

The Twins' starting pitcher, Ober has a 4.10 ERA and 1.124 WHIP in his MLB career.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are 2-4 on the season and looking to get their offense and pitching on track.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins are 1-4 and hoping to turn things around at home against the Rays.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We need to start stringing some wins together if we want to stay in the playoff hunt. This series against the Twins is a big opportunity for us.”

— Kevin Kiermaier, Rays Outfielder

What’s next

The Rays and Twins will play the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, April 4 at 6:10 PM local time.

The takeaway

This early-season matchup between the Rays and Twins could set the tone for both teams as they look to bounce back from slow starts and position themselves for a playoff push. Strong performances from the starting pitchers and timely hitting will be key factors in determining the outcome.