The Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins opened a three-game series Friday night at Tropicana Field, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. ET in a matchup that could say plenty about both clubs’ early-season footing. Tampa Bay came in at 13-11 and second in the AL East, while Minnesota arrived at 12-13 and third in the AL Central.
Drew Rasmussen was scheduled to start for the Rays, carrying a 1-0 record and a 2.75 ERA. Taj Bradley was the expected starter for the Twins and brought a 3-0 record with a 1.63 ERA into the game. That pitching setup gives the opener some bite beyond the standings, especially with both teams still looking to settle into form this month.
This is a watch guide, not just a scoreboard note, and the starting pitchers are the reason. Rasmussen has given Tampa Bay a steady early return, while Bradley has been even sharper for Minnesota, which is why the opener drew attention before a single pitch was thrown. The teams also came in with a long injury list on both sides, including Gavin Lux, Joe Boyle, Garrett Cleavinger, Mason Englert, Edwin Uceta, Manuel Rodriguez, Steven Wilson, Michael Grove, Ryan Pepiot, Jake Fraley, Cody Laweryson, Mick Abel, Travis Adams, Pablo Lopez and David Festa.
That makes the first game of the set more than a simple division check-in. Both clubs are near the middle of their respective races, and Friday’s matchup at Tropicana Field offered a clean early test of whether Tampa Bay could protect home field or Minnesota could take a road start against a playoff-caliber arm. The next two games in the series will help show whether either team leaves the opener with momentum.
