Twins vs. Tampa Bay series preview

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Chris Archer (3-3, 3.76) vs. LHP Hector Santiago (4-2, 3.96)

Saturday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 3.14) vs. LHP Adalberto Mejia (1-1, 4.96)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Alex Cobb (4-4, 3.82) vs. RHP Kyle Gibson (1-4, 8.62)

TWINS UPDATE

They have won four consecutive games and six of their past seven. … Their 14-5 road record is the best in baseball, but they are only 11-13 at Target Field. … They are 70-72 all-time against Tampa Bay and have won the season series only once since 2007. They were 3-4 against the Rays last season, but 1-3 at home. … LHP Adalberto Mejia, who started and won last Saturday's 8-4 victory over the Royals, is expected to be recalled from Class AAA Rochester to start Saturday's game. … 1B Joe Mauer has drawn at least one walk in five of his past six games and has 836 career walks, two behind Kent Hrbek's 838. Only Harmon Killebrew, with 1,321 walks (not including 184 as a Washington Senator), has more in Twins history. … 3B Miguel Sano has 37 RBI, second in the AL behind Seattle's Nelson Cruz (40).

RAYS UPDATE

They have won two consecutive games and six of their past nine. … They are 9-12 on the road but have won three of their past four away from Tropicana Field. This is the first stop on a nine-game road trip that also takes them to Texas and Seattle. … They have outscored opponents 227-204. … They have held a lead in 35 of their past 38 games, but are only 19-19 in that span. … They are 19-7 all-time at Target Field, their best record at any park. … Their 68 home runs this season are tied for second in the AL behind the Yankees' 69. … Their 3.72 staff ERA also ranks second in the league behind the Astros (3.46). … LF/DH Corey Dickerson has 62 hits, most in the AL, and his .332 batting average is fourth in the AL.

Phil Miller