First Pitch (CT): 6:40
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN/830 WCCO/102.9 The Wolf /Audacy App
Know Yo’ Foe: True Blue LA
After an ultra-successful roadtrip last week, the Twins will face their biggest test yet in the villainous, evil, powerful, omniscient Los Angeles Dodgers. However, because it’s baseball, even the best are fallible and while the Dodgers’ do have the best record in baseball, it’s only by a game or two.
How did they get here? Glad you asked. I could give you a bunch of fancy stats that show
you that they’re really good, but we don’t even need that this time. The Los Angeles Dodgers have allowed the fewest runs in baseball (by a decent margin) while scoring the second most. That’s a pretty simple recipe for “best record in baseball.” Plus, they’ve done it while having All-Stars Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Edwin Diaz, Blake Treinen, and Evan Phillips miss most of the season. To say nothing of starting second baseman Tommy Edman and old friend Brock Stewart both returning from the IL this past week for the first time all season. Man, this team is DEEP.
The starting pitcher tonight is technically reliever Will Klein, but he’ll be followed by bulk man Eric Lauer, a lefty. Under Rocco Baldelli, we saw the Twins go with their right-handed lineup in these situations regardless of the opener, but that won’t be the case tonight, especially with how well Trevor Larnach has hit of late. We’ll see if Austin Martin or Kyler Fedko get brought in second time through the lineup or if Shelton will stick with the regulars and hope to get into LA’s bullpen.
Oh also there’s this guy named Shohei Ohtani. Maybe you’ve heard of him before. He’s won MVP in four of the past five seasons and is well on his way to his fifth in perhaps his most impressive season yet. Ohtani still ranks in the top five in nearly every relevant offensive category while also pitching like a Cy Young. Plus, he’s doing this in an era where both pitching and hitting are harder than they’ve ever been. He’s unquestionably the best baseball player of all time and probably the best athlete ever. It’s completely insane.
