Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins — Apr 5, 2026 | AI Prediction & Stats

Expect a tightly-contested game that tips Tampa Bay’s way late. Simeon Woods Richardson should navigate the Rays’ order the first time through, but Chandler Simpson’s on-base ability and Yandy Díaz’s thunderous bat project to scratch out a run in the second. Martínez counters with his trademark pitch efficiency; the only real damage he allows comes in the fourth when Josh Bell lifts a hanging changeup into the right-field seats, plating two. Woods Richardson begins to labor in the fifth, and a walk to Simpson followed by a Díaz laser down the left-field line produces a two-run double that pushes Tampa ahead 3-2. Both bullpens stabilize until the eighth, when Trevor Larnach pinch-hits and muscles a Baker sinker into the gap, tying the game. Kevin Kelly is held back after recent struggles, so Tampa turns to Drew Rasmussen for a high-leverage eighth; he strands the go-ahead run. The ninth belongs to veteran Bryan Baker, whose elevated fastball sets up a wipe-out change to fan Matt Wallner. Taylor Rogers handles the top of the ninth for Minnesota but an infield misplay by Junior Caminero’s counterpart Brooks Lee extends the frame, and Jonathan Aranda pokes the eventual game-winner through the right side. Pete Fairbanks is unavailable, so Nick Martinez – on 80 pitches – returns to notch the final out and finish a 4-3 Rays victory.