The Minnesota Twins will attempt to right their wayward course this evening as they face the Rays in Tampa Bay. Tonight's series opener is scheduled for a 6:40pm ET start at Tropicana Field. The latest MLB Odds have the Rays listed as a -135 moneyline favorite; the Under 8.5 is presently favored at -115 odds.
Minnesota finds itself in unfamiliar territory as it enters this evening's game as it currently owns sole possession of last 
place in the American League Central with a 4-7. The Twins, which have won the central the past two seasons, have yet to win a series this season, losing to Toronto, New York, and Oakland before earning a split in a two game set with Kansas City.
Minnesota concluded its abbreviated series with the Royals yesterday afternoon, falling 10-5 at Target Field. KC rocked Twins' starter Francisco Liriano for eight hits and seven earned runs in five innings, spoiling a 12 hit day for Minnesota's struggling lineup (dead last in runs scored with 33).
Manager Ron Gardenhire will send veteran Carl Pavano to the hill today with hopes that he can duplicate his last start. Pavano, who was rocked for six hits and seven earned runs in his season debut (3-13 loss at Toronto), limited the Athletics to four hits and one earned run over eight innings on April 8th.
Pavano is 5-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 12 career starts against Tampa Bay.
The Rays, a league power over the past few seasons, have stumbled out of the gates as well, going 3-8 through their first 11 games. However, Tampa Bay has played better of late, winning back to back games against Boston before yesterday's series finale was postponed.
The Rays will look to keep their new found momentum intact tonight with James Shields toeing the rubber. Shields produced a nice line in his first outing of the season, allowing just four hits and two earned runs in a 1-3 loss to Baltimore, but he looked out of sorts in his last start. The veteran right hander gave up eight hits and five earned (six innings) to the White Sox in a 9-7 Tampa Bay victory.
Tonight's game will mark Shields eighth career start against the Twins; he is 3-1 with a 5.27 ERA in his previous seven appearances opposite Minnesota.
Twins vs Rays Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
Minnesota Twins +1.5 (-190), Over 8.5 (-105), +115 (Moneyline)
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+160), Under 8.5 (-115), -135 (Moneyline)
