Dodgers Preview: Dodgers Looking to Get Back on Track vs Struggling Twins

LOS ANGELES, CA—It has been a rough two-week stretch for the Dodgers, as after their latest series sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers, the team is just 2-12 over their last twelve games.

However, despite the series loss, the Dodgers hope to turn the page and get their second half back on track as they welcome the Minnesota Twins for the final three games of this six-game homestand.

The main issue for the Dodgers’ struggles over this rough stretch of games has been an inconsistent offense and a shaky defense, which was highlighted on Sunday.

Despite the Dodgers’ struggles, they still maintain a 3.5 game lead over the second-place San Diego Padres and will face a Twins team that is three games below .500 this season.

However, it will also be an excellent time for the Dodgers and Andrew Friedman to get a close look at Twins pitchers Chris Paddack, Griffin Jax, and Jhoan Durán, who have been linked with the Dodgers via trade this season.

On Sunday, the Dodgers also shook things up at the top of the lineup, placing Mookie Betts back in the leadoff spot despite the 2018 AL MVP struggling this season, posting a sub-.700 OPS, the lowest of his career.

The Dodgers will also shake things up with their rotation, with right-handed pitcher Dustin May set to get the bulk of the innings of tonight’s game after Ohtani.

It has been a disappointing season for the Twins, and over their last ten games, they have won just five.

Overall, the Twins sit in third place in the American League Central, 11.5 games behind the Central-leading Detroit Tigers and five games back of the final American League Wild Card spot.

Pitching match-ups

Game One: Shohei Ohtani (0-0, 1.00 ERA) vs David Festa (3-3, 5.25 ERA)

Game Two: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-7, 2.59 ERA) vs Simon Woods Richardson (5-4, 3.95 ERA)

Game Three: Tyler Glasnow (1-1, 3.10 ERA) vs Chris Paddack (3-9, 5.14 ERA)

Game Times

Game One: 7:10 PM PT, SportsNet LA, Twins.TV

Game Two: 7:10 PM PT, SportsNet LA, Twins.TV, MLB Network (out-of-market-only)

Game Three: 1:10 PM PT, SportsNet LA, Twins.TV, MLB Network (out-of-market-only)

Who’s in & who’s out?

Over the last several weeks, the Dodgers have had multiple positive updates on players on their injured list.

Prior to the break, the Dodgers saw the return of right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow, who has looked sharp in his two starts since.

However, another arm in the rotation is also close to returning: lefty Blake Snell.

Snell, 32, completed his third rehab game on Sunday, tossing four innings of one-run ball and punching out six batters.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Snell will have another rehab appearance, likely this weekend, which could be the final one before the lefty is activated off the 60-day injured list.

Also joining Snell on his rehab outing was veteran righty Blake Treinen, who pitched another inning with Snell on Sunday, collecting two strikeouts in a scoreless fifth inning.

Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy is also progressing extremely well in his rehab from his left knee bone bruise and could return in a handful of weeks, per Roberts.

Muncy has begun running, fielding, and swinging a bat and should be ready by their August timeline.

Kiké Hernández will continue to stay on the 10-day injured list despite the Dodgers’ hope that it would be a short stint with the All-Star break. Hernández has continued throwing but has not done much since.

Regarding the pitching side of things, Roberts confirmed that Roki Sasaki has continued his bullpen session at approximately 75% intensity and has consistently reached speeds of around 90 MPH.

Right-handed relief pitcher Michael Kopech has also resumed throwing after undergoing right knee surgery earlier this month.

10-day Injured List (2): Max Muncy, Kiké Hernández

15-day Injured List (00):

60-day Injured List (11): Roki Sasaki, Tony Gonsolin, Michael Kopech, Blake Snell, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Grove, Gavin Stone, River Ryan, Kyle Hurt, Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips

As for the Twins, they are light on the injury side of things with just three players currently on the injured list this season.

Second baseman Luke Keaschall was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list in May after suffering a right forearm fracture during the first month of the regular season.

Keaschall’s return is close as the middle infielder began a minor league rehab assignment on July 18th, going 1-for-5 with an RBI single for Triple-A St. Paul.

On the pitching side of the ball, the Twins are also without right-hander Bailey Ober after he was placed on the injured list in June with a left hip impingement.

The ‘24 breakout star for the Twins rotation began a minor league rehab assignment also on July 18th, giving up four hits while throwing fifty pitches on the night.

Another arm on the 60-day injured list is Twins ace Pablo López, who is expected to miss most of the summer with a right teres major strain.

The righty and former American League Cy Young contender was expected to be a hot commodity at the 2025 trade deadline. Still, the injury and possible time missed will likely keep him in the Twins organization for the rest of the season. López is eying an August return, but has only thrown on flat ground.

Day-to-day (00):

10-day Injured List (00):

15-day Injured List (1): Bailey Ober

60-day Injured List (2): Luke Keaschall, Pablo López

Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!