Series Preview: California Dreamin'

[Steven Trefz]

The Twins ride their new-found offense into Chavez Ravine on Monday to begin a three-game series against the LA Dodgers. Are the Twins ready for the bright lights of Hollywood? Or will this series be a box-office flop?

Image courtesy of Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins ride their new-found offense into Chavez Ravine on Monday to begin a three-game series against the LA Dodgers. Are the Twins ready for the bright lights of Hollywood? Or will this series be a box-office flop?

This match-up of division leaders offers a chance for the Twins to prove that they belong at the top of the class. The Dodgers have historically disposed of the Twins at Dodgers Stadium in short order. The Twins come in having erupted for 27 runs in the past two games against the Cubs. The Dodgers come in having taken care of business versus the Padres at home.

Fun Fact: Monday night is Mookie Betts bobblehead night. I'm not sure if that is fun or not, but I didn't want to talk about where the Kenta Maeda/Brusdar Graterol trade currently stands.

Weather Factor: No rain delays in sight, and we should see mid-to-high 70's at first pitch. Sunscreen isn't optional.

Pitching Probables
Game 1 - Monday, May 15, 2023 – 9:10 pm CDT – The Twins RHP Pablo Lopez (2-2, 3.47 ERA) will square off against RHP Noah Syndergaard (1-3, 6.12 ERA) for the Dodgers. Syndergaard hasn't gone longer than six innings in his last five starts, and this appears to be a favorable matchup the way the Twins left-handed bats have been mashing the past few games.

The only batter with a long track record is Freddie Freeman, who is batting .355 with three home runs versus Lopez during the Marlin phase of his pitching career. The stage is set for Lopez to continue living into his "ace" role.

Game 2 – Tuesday, May 16, 2023 – 9:10 pm CDT - Twins RHP Bailey Ober (2-0 1.85 ERA) gets the assignment of dethroning future Hall of Famer, LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-2, 2-36 ERA). Kershaw versus Twins usually carries no-hit potential, and he has been dealing yet again this season. Tuesday will be an emotional night for Kershaw, as his mother passed away this weekend, and yet he is determined to pitch.

Honestly, anything other than a shutout for the Twins would be considered a success against pitching royalty, especially with how the right-handed hitters in our lineup have been pressing. Carlos Correa jumps off the page as a "must hit for victory" player for Tuesday's game.

Game 3 - Wednesday, May 17, 2023 – 2:10 pm CDT - In the final game of the series, Twins RHP Sonny Gray (4-0, 1.39 ERA) aims to get his winning ways back on track against Dodgers RHP Dustin May (4-1, 2.68 ERA). Gray left his last start early as the pitch count ballooned on him, a feat that can't be repeated if the Twins hope to win this game against the patient Dodger bats.

The Twins have an off-day on Thursday before traveling a few miles east to Anaheim. Their bullpen should be all-hands-on-deck to try to finish off this series.

Prediction Time!
What's your prediction for this series? Whose pitching stats will get played out in real time this week? Will the Twin's power surge continue? Let us know in the comments! Go, Twins!

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[minman1982]

Twins win 1 and lose 2 than go to Anaheim to win 2 and lose 1. A 3-3 road trip before hosting the Giants next week.

[2wins87]

The game against the HOF lefty is the one I'm least optimistic about.  Poor hitting against lefties has been a trend and that'll be another tough one.

The Dodgers have been rolling and the Twins haven't been particularly good on the road, so probably 1 out of 3 is the most realistic outcome.  Hopefully the offense can keep rolling and ambush Syndergaard to at least get the first one.  Maybe they get another one in the next two as well.

[Parfigliano]

One win vs Dodgers.  Just hope they dont get humiliated like last year.

[oregontwin]

I'm feeling lucky. (I hope the Twins are) Sweep the Dodgers.

[Steven Trefz]

Pablo gettin ready!!!  Let’s go!