Tampa Bay @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 11, 2013 ) Minnesota 3, Tampa Bay 4

The Tampa Bay Rays finally got the clutch hit that had eluded them for weeks and hung onto their lead in the American League wild-card race. The Rays are hoping to use a win over the Boston Red Sox as a springboard to better things when they visit the Minnesota Twins for the start of a three-game series on Friday. Tampa Bay is one game up on the New York Yankees for the second AL wild card.

The Rays got a double from rookie Wil Myers to push across the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of Thursday’s 4-3 win, just their fifth triumph in the last 18 games. Tampa Bay has averaged 2.7 runs in those 18 contests but is going up against a Twins pitching staff that is 29th in the majors with a 4.37 team ERA. Minnesota surrendered 26 runs in back-to-back losses to the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday and Thursday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (8-7, 3.19 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kevin Correia (9-11, 4.30)

Archer is up to a career-high 160 innings between the minors and majors this season and may be hitting a wall after getting knocked around for a total of eight runs (seven earned) over 7 2/3 innings in back-to-back losses. The North Carolina native is two weeks shy of his 25th birthday and got five days' rest between outings as the Rays try to keep him fresh. Archer made a start against Minnesota on July 9 and allowed an unearned run on three hits in six innings to notch the win.

Correia had a run of three straight quality starts come to an end on Saturday, when he was reached for five runs on seven hits over six innings in a loss to Toronto. The 33-year-old relies on strong command and is looking to yield two or fewer walks for the seventh straight turn. Correia walked a season-high five at Tampa Bay on July 10 and was charged with three runs over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota C Joe Mauer has been out since Aug. 20 as he continues to deal with concussion symptoms.

2. Rays C Jose Molina left the team to be with his ailing mother but is expected back on Friday.

3. Tampa Bay closer Fernando Rodney has allowed one hit in his last five appearances.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Twins 5