MLB Baseball
2026-06-22 - Los Angeles Dodgers at Minnesota Twins
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Monday 22nd June 2026 - Scheduled 7:40pm EST
12:40am (British Time)
Preview
All of the focus is going to be on October as far as fans are concerned and the Los Angeles Dodgers (49-29) have the most wins in the regular season as we approach the halfway mark of the 2026 year. They are doing what is needed right now, but the Dodgers could soon make moves to strengthen the roster in their bid to win a third straight World Series.
The Dodgers lost a series against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend and they are beginning a new one against the Minnesota Twins (38-41) who have closed to 3.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central.
While the Dodgers were losing this past weekend, the Minnesota Twins have won six of the last seven games and that will give the team real confidence.
The Twins will give the ball to Zebby Matthews who has a 3-4 record and a 4.78 ERA in seven starts in 2026 in what is his third year in the Major League. Improvements have been shown from his rookie and sophomore year in the Major Leagues, but Zebby Matthews will believe there is still more to come if he wants to become a key feature of the Minnesota rotation for the next several years.
Inconsistency has been a concern and that is shown up over the last four starts as Zebby Matthews has given up two runs in half of those, but seven runs in both of the other two starts. However, the three June starts has seen Matthews allow two runs in two starts and he did bounce back from a couple of rougher outings.
This is the fourth start at home in 2026 and Zebby Matthews has allowed four runs in 20 Innings thrown here, which will give him some real confidence.
It is the first time Zebby Matthews will be pitching against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are countering with Eric Lauer who brings in a 1-0 record with a 3.22 ERA in four starts.
Eric Lauer began this season with the Toronto Blue Jays and struggled, but the trade to Los Angeles has worked pretty well for him so far. June has seen Lauer give up seven runs in a little over 16 Innings thrown in three starts and he will be looking to show some improvement to make sure he remains a part of this rotation.
Earlier this season, Eric Lauer was roughed up for seven runs into the 6th Inning against the Minnesota Twins and he had to absorb the decision loss.
However, he did pitch in relief in this ballpark last season and completed a little over 2 Innings without giving up an earned run.
This is the first meeting between the Twins and Dodgers in 2026 and it is Los Angeles who have won five of the last seven.
Prediction
The Minnesota Twins are on the right track to challenge the American League Central leaders, but they may struggle to contain the Los Angeles batting lineup in this opener.
Eric Lauer has struggled, which would give Minnesota hope, but Zebby Matthews has to be more consistent on the mound and that may be a situation that allows the Los Angeles Dodgers to edge to a victory on Monday.
The Pick :
Minnesota Twins 5-6 Los Angeles Dodgers
