It's been a tough two games against the defending world champs for the Minnesota Twins, who came into the three-game series on a roll, winners of five of six on their recent road trip. But a 2-1 nailbiter on Monday, and a 12-3 blowout Tuesday have the home nine scrambling to try and salvage one game against the LA Dodgers. To do that, they only have to beat Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani is scheduled to be on the mound Wednesday night, and he's been as good as ever on the mound. Forget the hits and home runs, including a solo shot in the first inning of Monday night's game at Target Field. Ohtani has a 7-2 record and a sparkling 1.47 ERA.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers nearly halfway through their schedule, he’s made 12 starts and thrown 73 2/3 innings. His career highs in those categories are 28 and 166, back in 2022. That year he went 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA for the Los Angeles Angels and finished fourth in the American League Cy Young race.
Ohtani’s hitting has always been more reliable than his pitching on a year-in, year-out basis. He didn’t pitch at all in 2019 or 2024, and his teams have been careful with his workload. Even now, he’s a few innings shy of qualifying for the ERA title, but with a mark that far below 2.00, he’s clearly one of the game’s top starters.
If there's good news for the Twins? Ohtani has struggled slightly in his last two starts, giving up 4 runs over 6-innings against both Tampa and Pittsburgh. His three starts prior to those, he was nearly unhittable.
It might be a couple of physical issues that have made Ohtani look semi-mortal. He's been battling residual soreness from left knee inflammation, an issue that may have slightly altered his pitching mechanics. He simultaneously aggravated a blister on his right middle finger during a 26-pitch frame against Tampa.
The Dodgers use a six-man rotation, meaning Ohtani is starting less than other pitchers across MLB, and that's given him an extra day off to try to get back in form. Also, they've been keeping him out of the lineup more frequently when he pitches to conserve his arm. In past years, Ohtani's dangerous bat was almost always in the lineup even if he was on the mound.
The good news for the Twins is that their best starter will be on the hill, setting up a terrific pitching matchup. Joe Ryan (5-3, 2.99) was moved back from his scheduled Tuesday start due to an illness and will start Wednesday.
Wednesday will be the first time the two have ever faced each other as opposing pitchers, but Ohtani has stepped up to hit against Ryan five times, with one hit and a pair of RBIs.
The crowds for the first two Dodger games have been big, and the Twins know Wednesday the draw will be even greater with Ohtani pitching. That means they're giving fans a chance to get in early, and hopefully avoid some of the long entrance lines that plagued the first two games.
Target Field gates will open 30 minutes earlier, at 5:00 p.m. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. and the team is advising fans to arrive early in order to be in your seats for the first inning.
Los Angeles Dodgers (51-29, first in the NL West) vs. Minnesota Twins (38-43, third in the AL Central)
Minneapolis; Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. Pregame at 6:00 p.m. on 830 WCCO and the Audacy app (in-market only)
PITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani (7-2, 1.47 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 78 strikeouts); Twins: Joe Ryan (5-3, 2.99 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 99 strikeouts)
LINE: Dodgers -186, Twins +151; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers play the Minnesota Twins looking to sweep their three-game series.
Minnesota has a 20-21 record in home games and a 38-43 record overall. The Twins have a 28-12 record in games when they scored at least five runs.
Los Angeles is 25-15 in road games and 51-29 overall. The Dodgers have hit 108 total home runs to lead the NL.
The matchup Wednesday is the third time these teams meet this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Byron Buxton leads the Twins with 25 home runs while slugging .595. Victor Caratini is 11 for 34 with three home runs and seven RBIs over the past 10 games.
Freddie Freeman has 19 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs and 43 RBIs for the Dodgers. Ohtani is 7 for 29 with five home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 6-4, .289 batting average, 4.96 ERA, outscored opponents by 12 runs
Dodgers: 7-3, .255 batting average, 3.84 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs
INJURIES: Twins: Bailey Ober: 15-Day IL (elbow), Cole Sands: 15-Day IL (forearm), Mick Abel: 15-Day IL (elbow), David Festa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Garrett Acton: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Jeffers: 10-Day IL (hand), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Dodgers: Kyle Tucker: day-to-day (back), Dalton Rushing: day-to-day (concussion), Blake Treinen: 15-Day IL (elbow), Bobby Miller: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (elbow), Will Smith: 10-Day IL (neck), Teoscar Hernandez: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ben Casparius: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Glasnow: 60-Day IL (back), Brusdar Graterol: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Blake Snell: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kike Hernandez: 10-Day IL (oblique), Landon Knack: 60-Day IL (chest), Edwin Diaz: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Expecting a big crowd, the Twins will open Target Field 30 minutes early on Wednesday
Expecting a big crowd, the Twins will open Target Field 30 minutes early on Wednesday
