Minnesota Twins vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction, Picks, Odds, News, Injury Report 4/8/24

The baseball season is starting to get into rhythm. After a fun weekend, Monday means it’s time for a look at Twins vs Dodgers Prediction Win Probability and odds. Los Angeles has started the season well after a blockbuster offseason, while the Twins already have ground to make up in the American League Central.

Our Expert Insights have already provided plenty of MLB winners in the first week of the 2024 campaign. MLB tipster Sam Cox is looking to start the week on a high with this pick from the Twins vs Dodgers at Target Field.

Twins vs Dodgers Prediction and Picks: Paxton To Lead Dodgers To Win

•         Selection: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5
•         Best Odds: 2.10
•         Bookmaker: bet365
•         Stakes: 5/10

Odds are available as of April 8th, 2024. Odds may now differ. 

James Paxton pitched five scoreless innings in his first Dodger start. He now faces a Twins line up which ranks in the bottom five in xwOBA in the early going. Yes, Minnesota projects to be a better offense than that, but there’s no denying this has been a cold start.

Bailey Ober, meanwhile, allowed eight earned runs in 1.1 innings in his first outing of the year. The Dodgers might have been held to one run by the Cubs on Sunday, but this offense is arguably the most dangerous in the sport.

Since the start of 2022, only the Baltimore Orioles have covered the run line more frequently than the Dodgers. The Twins are just 17-18 on the run line as a home underdog, as they are here. Our Twins vs Dodgers prediction is for the Dodgers to cover the handicap. 

Twins vs Dodgers Game Info

• Weather: 11 degrees, 16% precipitation
• Stadium: Target Field
• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Start time: 00:40 UK time
• Starting Pitchers: Bailey Ober vs James Paxton

Minnesota Twins News, Injury Report, Schedule: Slow Start

A series loss to the Cleveland Guardians leaves the Twins at 3-4. Aside from Carlos Correa and Alex Kirilloff, their offense has been ice-cold. Bailey Ober obviously had a nightmare first start of the year, but he will be backed up by a good bullpen on Monday night.

Injuries to Royce Lewis, Caleb Thielbar, and Jhoan Duran mean Minnesota is weaker than usual. There’s still plenty of top-tier talent on this roster, though, and it’s only a matter of time until this lineup really clicks. They need to find their groove if they are going to compete with the Dodgers this week.

Los Angeles Dodgers News, Injury Report, Schedule: Set To Bounce Back From Cubs Series Loss

Losing two of three to the Cubs is no more than a minor setback for the Dodgers. They are still 8-4, even with some of their relievers having a rocky start to the campaign. Offensively, everyone has got going aside from Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor, and James Outman.

James Paxton’s first start of the year was typical Dodger stuff. They have a knack for getting quality innings out of over-the-hill veterans, and he looks like he could be the latest in that trend. It’s a small sample, of course, but they have reshaped his fastball and upped the usage.

Twins vs Dodgers H2H: Dodgers Hold All-Time Advantage

The Dodgers have a 15-7 advantage over the Twins in the all-time series. Los Angeles went 2-1 against the Twins in 2023 after winning all four matchups in 2022.

Runs have been plentiful between these teams with over 8.5 cashing in four of the last five meetings. Schedule changes mean the Twins and Dodgers will go head-to-head more frequently in years to come.

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