Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Minnesota Twins Best Bet: Can Bailey Ober Shut Down the Dodgers?
The Twins and the Dodgers are playing the second game of their series tonight. Can Bailey Ober shut down the Dodgers? Baseball handicapper Krabs answers.
Krabs - May 16, 2023, 3:34 PM EDT
5 minLos Angeles Dodgers vs. Minnesota Twins Best Bet: Can Bailey Ober Shut Down the Dodgers?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on fire. After getting off to a slow start, Los Angeles currently sits three games atop the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. Winners of eight of their last ten, the Dodgers have their Hall of Famer on the bump again tonight. Will the Twins get to Clayton Kershaw, or will the Dodgers stay hot and win their 17th home game of the season?
Dodgers vs. Twins Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023
- Game Time: 10:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction
Last night’s series opener between these two teams was electric. The Dodgers looked like they had the game put away until Minnesota scored six runs in the final three innings to send the game into extra innings. It wasn’t until the bottom of the twelfth inning that the Dodgers were finally able to seal the deal with a walk-off walk (yes, you read that right).
I liked how the Twins finished last night’s game at the plate. Sure, they blew it late, but I think their late-game surge should create some confidence against Clayton Kershaw, who’s been dominant in his 16th season with the Dodgers. The veteran left-hander currently possesses a 2.36 ERA with six wins and a sub-1.00 WHIP. It is truly amazing what Kershaw has been able to do on the mound at 35 years old.
Bailey Ober has been elite in 2023 for the Twins. The 6’9” right-hander has only allowed five earned runs in over 24 innings pitched this year. We see the young arm start to round into form at the end of 2022. Ober has stepped his game up even more in 2023. There is something about his release that makes it nearly impossible to pick up on the ball before it’s too late.
Ober’s 24% strikeout rate should fare well against the Dodgers, who strike out a ton. Since he’s so tall, his perceived velocity sits in the top ten of all pitchers in baseball. What this means is Ober might not throw 100mph, but it’s going to look like the pitch is coming in at 100mph.
After last night’s resurgent comeback that fell just short, Minnesota gets another stab at the best team in baseball on their home field. The Dodgers’ lineup is firing on all cylinders, but they haven’t faced an electric arm like Ober’s in quite a while. If anyone can shut down the Dodgers right now, it’s Bailey Ober and the first-place Twins. Although Kershaw has been dominant, he should not be a (-205) favorite against Ober and the Twins tonight. Back Minnesota to keep this one close in what should be a good ole fashioned pitcher's duel.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Minnesota Twins Pick
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