The Los Angeles Dodgers enter this July 22 matchup against the Minnesota Twins riding the momentum of a dominant summer stretch and looking every bit like a World Series contender. At 61–37, they lead the NL West comfortably, and their consistency on both sides of the ball continues to separate them from the rest of the National League. Offensively, the Dodgers boast arguably the most feared lineup in baseball, with Shohei Ohtani anchoring the attack, already eclipsing 30 home runs while maintaining an OPS over 1.000. Freddie Freeman remains an elite contact hitter and RBI machine, while Mookie Betts—now splitting time at shortstop—adds leadoff explosiveness and Gold Glove-caliber defense. Complemented by the likes of Will Smith, Teoscar Hernández, and Max Muncy, this Dodgers lineup is deep, disciplined, and relentless at grinding down opposing starters. On the mound, things haven’t been perfect, especially with Clayton Kershaw still on the mend and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s season ending prematurely due to injury, but the emergence of youngsters like Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller has helped stabilize the rotation. James Paxton and Tyler Glasnow have provided veteran stability, though the Dodgers continue to be cautious with workloads. In this particular matchup, manager Dave Roberts is expected to hand the ball to Miller, whose mid-90s fastball and sharp slider could be especially problematic for a Minnesota lineup that has struggled with swing-and-miss issues against high-velocity pitching.

The bullpen, led by Evan Phillips and Ryan Brasier, has been excellent in high-leverage spots, holding opponents to minimal production in the late innings. The Dodgers have also been dominant at home this season, with one of the best home winning percentages in baseball, and they tend to play their sharpest defense and most efficient baseball in front of a packed Chavez Ravine. In terms of betting trends, the Dodgers have consistently covered the run line when playing non-divisional opponents at home, particularly when favored by 1.5 or more. Their offensive approach thrives against mid-tier pitching, which is exactly what Minnesota brings to the table, and L.A.’s plate discipline could wear out the Twins’ bullpen by the sixth inning if the starter falters early. The Dodgers’ approach to each game is measured and businesslike, and they rarely beat themselves, which has made them a nightmare for visiting teams trying to pull off upsets. Their defensive positioning and base running are fundamentally sound, and the lineup has no weak spot from one through nine. As they continue to build toward the postseason, the Dodgers view matchups like this one as opportunities to fine-tune their execution and stay sharp, especially with eyes toward October. Assuming their starter delivers a quality outing and the offense does what it usually does at home, Los Angeles has a strong chance to secure another series win and keep the pressure on the rest of the National League.