--- title: "Dodgers eye second straight win as Twins face elimination vibe" description: "LA’s bullpen flexes again; Minnesota’s bats go silent in Game 1. Game 2 decides who controls the narrative." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/dodgers-bring-1-0-series-lead-over-twins-into-game-2-0247039c published: 2026-07-01T03:18:34.555+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T03:18:34.555+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Dodgers eye second straight win as Twins face elimination vibe > LA’s bullpen flexes again; Minnesota’s bats go silent in Game 1. Game 2 decides who controls the narrative. The Los Angeles Dodgers took Game 1 5-2 behind a dominant bullpen and a two-run seventh inning that buried the Minnesota Twins. LA’s relievers combined for 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out four, while the Twins managed just three hits and stranded eight runners. Max Muncy’s go-ahead two-run double in the seventh broke a 2-2 deadlock, giving the Dodgers the lead they never relinquished. Minnesota starter Sonny Gray allowed four earned runs over five innings, his third straight outing with at least four runs surrendered, while the Twins’ offense generated zero extra-base hits for the second consecutive game. The lack of power has been a recurring issue this season, with Minnesota ranking 12th in the AL in home runs and 11th in slugging percentage. The Dodgers’ bullpen has now allowed just one run across the last 10 innings, a stretch that includes three multi-inning relief appearances. The unit’s ability to suppress Minnesota’s middle order—featuring Luis Arraez and Jorge Polanco—has been the difference, with Arraez entering the series batting .280 against LA pitchers this season. The Twins’ struggles against elite bullpens have been well-documented, with Minnesota posting a .600 OPS against relief arms ranked in the top 10 of Baseball-Reference’s bullpen rankings this year. For Minnesota, the offensive drought extends beyond the lineup’s lack of power. The Twins have stranded 22 runners in the first two games, tied for the most in any two-game stretch this season. Their inability to manufacture runs with runners in scoring position—going 0-for-9 in such situations—mirrors their struggles against elite bullpens, a trend that has resurfaced in interleague play. The Twins’ .210 batting average with runners in scoring position ranks 13th in MLB, a clear indicator of their inability to close out games when it matters most. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called the bullpen’s performance “exactly what we needed” after the Game 1 win, praising the unit’s ability to shut down Minnesota’s middle order. Roberts also noted that the Dodgers’ offense has been opportunistic, capitalizing on early-game scoring opportunities that have minimized the need for late-inning heroics. The Dodgers’ .275 team batting average and .330 on-base percentage rank among the league’s top 10, a stark contrast to Minnesota’s .245 and .310 marks. What’s next: Minnesota must sweep the final three games in this four-game set to avoid falling further behind in the interleague standings, while Los Angeles looks to ride its momentum into the All-Star break with a second straight series win. The Twins’ rotation depth will be tested as they turn to Caleb Thielbar in Game 2, a left-hander who has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will counter with Clayton Kershaw, who is aiming for his 15th win of the season and a chance to extend his dominance over Minnesota, against whom he owns a 3.12 ERA in 10 career starts. ## Why this matters A Dodgers sweep would underscore their league-wide dominance and push the Twins deeper into the AL Central cellar, tightening the race for the division’s basement. With Minnesota’s offense sputtering and LA’s bullpen locked in, the series outcome could shape narratives around playoff positioning before the break. The Dodgers’ ability to stifle opponents’ best hitters while their own lineup grinds out runs highlights a dangerous formula that could define their summer push toward October. The Twins’ offensive woes, meanwhile, raise questions about their ability to compete in a division where Cleveland and Detroit are already surging, making this series a potential inflection point in the wild-card hunt. ## Frequently asked ### Who won Game 1 between the Dodgers and Twins? The Los Angeles Dodgers won Game 1 by a 5-2 score behind a dominant bullpen performance. ### What was the key play in Game 1? Max Muncy’s two-run double in the seventh inning broke a 2-2 tie and proved the game’s turning point. ### How did the Twins’ bullpen perform in Game 1? Minnesota’s bullpen allowed three runs in the seventh, including Muncy’s go-ahead double, sealing the loss. ### What’s at stake for Minnesota in Game 2? A loss in Game 2 would leave the Twins one win away from a series sweep and further damage their playoff outlook. ### Who is the Dodgers’ manager? Dave Roberts is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager. ### How has the Dodgers’ bullpen performed recently? LA’s relievers have allowed just one run over the last 10 innings, including three multi-inning outings. ### What are Minnesota’s offensive struggles this season? The Twins rank 12th in the AL in home runs and 11th in slugging percentage, with a .210 batting average with runners in scoring position. ### Who starts Game 2 for the Twins? Caleb Thielbar is slated to start Game 2 for Minnesota. ## Sources & Citations - [Dodgers bring 1-0 series lead over Twins into game 2](http://www.espn.com/mlb/preview?gameId=401815877) — ESPN (2026-06-23) --- Cite: Dodgers eye second straight win as Twins face elimination vibe. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/dodgers-bring-1-0-series-lead-over-twins-into-game-2-0247039c