MLB Game Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (48-40) vs. Minnesota Twins (42-46)

The Tampa Bay Rays continue their 10-game road trip with Game 2 of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning in their respective leagues, this interleague clash promises high-stakes baseball and intriguing matchups.

Game Details

Matchup	Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins
Date	Saturday, July 5, 2025
First Pitch	2:10 PM ET
Venue	Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
Broadcast	Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports North, MLB.tv
Season Series	Rays lead 2–1 (won series in May)

Team Records & Recent Form

Team	Record	Last 5 Games	Division Rank
Tampa Bay Rays	48–40	L–W–L–L–L	3rd in AL East
Minnesota Twins	42–46	W–L–W–L–L	4th in AL Central

• The Rays are 27–13 since May 20 and boast the best road record in MLB.
• The Twins have lost 16 of their last 22 games and are struggling to stay above water in the AL Central.

Pitching Matchup

Tampa Bay Rays: Taj Bradley (5–6, 4.84 ERA)

• 18th start of the season
• 92.2 IP, 79 K, 1.30 WHIP
• Allowed 5 ER in 5.1 IP in last start vs. Baltimore
• Vs. Twins in 2025: 7 IP, 2.57 ERA, .200 BAA

Minnesota Twins: TBA

• Likely candidate: Simeon Woods Richardson or bullpen game
• Injuries to Bailey Ober and Pablo López have left the rotation thin
• Twins bullpen ranks 18th in ERA (4.23)

Players to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

• Junior Caminero: 21 HR, 54 RBI – leads team in both categories
• Brandon Lowe: 19 HR, 18-game hitting streak (MLB-best)
• Jonathan Aranda: .316 AVG – 3rd in AL batting title race
• Ha-Seong Kim: Making his Rays debut after shoulder surgery

Minnesota Twins

• Byron Buxton: .272 AVG, 19 HR, 52 RBI – team leader in all three
• Trevor Larnach: .254 AVG, 12 HR – consistent power threat
• Royce Lewis: Recently activated from IL – 6 hits in last 7 games

Advanced Stats Snapshot

Stat Category	Rays	Twins
Team Batting Avg	.251	.239
Home Runs	100 (12th in MLB)	99 (13th)
Team ERA	3.91	4.32
Road Record	20–14	Home Record: 21–22