The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Minnesota Twins in a 4-2 win in the series opener, receiving a boost from their left-handed bats in the comeback victory.
The Dodgers sit atop of the National League standings through 13 games with a 9-4 record. They stand as the only team above .500 in the division.
Tyler Glasnow gets the ball on Tuesday, making his fourth start of the regular season. The big righty has been a consistent source of innings for the Dodgers as of late, completing six full innings in back-to-back starts.
On the season, Glasnow owns a 3.18 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, with 15 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. Among qualified starters, his .185 expected batting average ranks 17th in baseball.
Glasnow has found success with his three-pitch mix, led by his four-seam fastball, that has yielded a meager, .243 slugging percentage against.
He faces a Twins lineup that has been average to below-average when seeing curveballs, which Glasnow should utilize at a high clip versus various parts of their lineup.
The Dodgers and Glasnow have been clear that he finds a rhythm when facing a lineup a possible third time through, and when receiving proper run support, he’ll have an opportunity to do that. In his three starts, Glasnow has received 5.67 runs per game from his offense.
Louie Varland goes for the Twins, making his second start of the regular season. The 26-year-old last pitched on April 2, when he allowed three earned runs on six hits against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Varland tallied four strikeouts in his lone start this season, but has found himself in serious trouble with his four-seamer. Against the Dodgers, Varland could look to deploy his cut-fastball at a high rate, being as he’s found the most success with that pitch.
Facing the Dodgers’ left-handed hitters, Varland’s cutter will be his best option, and against righties, he’ll use it to induce weak contact.
Shohei Ohtani continues his hot streak, as he’s posted a 1.182 slugging percentage with three home runs, four doubles, one triple, five RBI and seven runs scored in his last five games.
The Dodgers have scored 5.62 runs per game as a team on the year, and when comparing it to the Twins’ mark of 2.88, a few runs scratched across could be all it takes if the pitching is on.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
DH: Shohei Ohtani
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
RF: Teoscar Hernández
CF: James Outman
LF: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
Twins lineup
2B: Eduardo Julien
SS: Carlos Correa
1B: Alex Kirilloff
CF: Byron Buxton
DH: Jose Miranda
RF: Matt Wallner
3B: Willi Castro
C: Ryan Jeffers
LF: Austin Martin
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