The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Minnesota for a short two game series on April 12th and 13th. The Dodgers currently sit at 1-2 on the year, losing to the Rockies twice. The Twins split a four game series against the Seattle Mariners. The two squads did not meet up in 2021. The Dodgers feature possibly the best lineup we’ve ever seen outside of the summer classic, and a pitching staff that is capable of big things. The Twins are led by Byron Buxton, who leads the MLB with three home runs, as well as Carlos Correa.
Probable Pitchers
Tuesday (6:40 CT): LHP Andrew Heaney (8-9, 5.83 ERA, 150 K’s, 129.2 IP) vs RHP Chris Archer (1-1, 4.86 ERA, 21 K’s, 19.1 IP)
Wednesday (12:10 CT): LHP Clayton Kershaw (10-8, 3.55 ERA, 144 K’s, 121.2 IP) vs RHP Chris Paddack (7-7, 5.07 ERA, 99 K’s, 108.1 IP)
Follow Along
Games will be streamed on MLB.TV all season long, which is free for T-Mobile customers. You can also stream the game in Twins territory on Bally Sports North. Twins fan’s can listen along with Corey Provus and Dan Gladden on the Treasure Island Baseball Network. Dodger’s fans can catch the game on SportsNet LA, or listen to the game on Dodgers Radio AM 570, or KTNQ 1020.
Injuries
The Twins will be without star starting pitcher Kenta Maeda, who is on the 60 day IL recovering from Tommy John surgery. They will also be without pitcher Randy Dobnak who is on the 60 day IL. Reliever Cody Stashak also starts the season on the ten-day IL as he recovers from a right forearm strain.
The Dodger’s will still be without starter Trevor Bauer, who is on leave by the MLB. Dustin May will also miss a majority of the year with an elbow issue that has him on the 60-day IL. Relievers Jimmy Nelson, Victor Gonzalez, Caleb Furgeson, Tommy Kahnle, Danny Duffey, and Robinson Ortiz will all miss the two gamer in Minnesota.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Minnesota Twins Prediction
The Dodger’s payroll is among the highest in baseball, while the Twins sit squarely in the middle of the pack despite spending 35M AAV on Carlos Correa. The Dodger’s lineup is the best in baseball despite being shutdown in Coors Field. However, the Dodger’s get to see two reclamation projects in Chris Archer and Chris Paddack. The Dodger’s are uber familiar with Paddack, who spent the last 3 seasons in San Diego. The Dodger’s will be throwing a reclamation project of their own in Andrew Heaney, but also a star in Clayton Kershaw.
The Twins should crush left handed pitchers as they did to Marco Gonzalez in game three of the Seattle series, but Kershaw isn’t your average lefty. Robbie Ray also shut down the Twins on opening day. Kershaw is more similar to Marco Gonzalez in style, but Robbie Ray in accolades. There is a strong chance that the Dodger’s lineup punishes the Twins pitching so badly that it doesn’t matter how either starter performs.
Prediction: Dodgers sweep 2-0.
