Minnesota Twins (57-51) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (75-33)
Wednesday will see a battle of two teams who entered Tuesday’s action in first place in their division when the Minnesota Twins take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second contest of their two-game set. These teams played on Tuesday, but this preview was written prior to the conclusion of that contest.
Minnesota has been hanging onto a slim lead in the AL Central as both Cleveland and Chicago are breathing down their necks. Los Angeles has a commanding lead in the NL West, and came into the series 9-1 in their last 10 games. They look like an almost lock to win their division.
With Tuesday night’s contest not concluded by the time this preview was written, no line or total was set.
Following Monday nights action, the Minnesota Twins entered their contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday just 0.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central standings. The Chicago White Sox lost a half game, and are now 2.5 out. This puts the Twins in a precarious situation, as they have two games against the Dodgers before traveling to Anaheim to take on the Angels for three games starting on Friday.
We'll say it again: We all love Luis. ?????? pic.twitter.com/8USqRhOUU7
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 7, 2022
The Twins open the first seven games of August at home, going 4-3, but are just a .500 club on the road this season (26-26). Minnesota is ninth in team batting average (.251) and eighth in total home runs, but they have been a little better on the road, posting a .253 batting average with 65 home runs in 52 games. The problem has been that this Twins pitching staff has struggled on the road, posting a 4.31 ERA, the 22nd best road ERA in baseball. That has included giving up 68 home runs in 52 road games.
The club will hope that Sonny Gray gives them a far better performance. The right-hander is 6-3 with a 3.19 ERA in 16 starts. Gray was fantastic in his one start this month, allowing zero runs on just one hit in five innings to Toronto (August 4). That gives him three straight starts where he has all owed one run or fewer, giving up two total runs in his last 16.0 innings.