The Los Angeles Dodgers may have finally put a stop to their recent slump, but they’re not out of the woods yet. After snapping a rough stretch with a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday, the Dodgers are hoping to string together consecutive victories for just the third time this month. Tonight’s game at Dodger Stadium will be critical—not just for the standings, but for confidence.
Shohei Ohtani did a bit of everything in the opener: three innings on the mound, one run allowed, and a two-run homer. Classic Ohtani. But Tuesday, all eyes shift to another big name—Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Minnesota, meanwhile, isn’t mailing it in. Despite trailing in the AL Central, they remain in striking distance of a Wild Card spot. And with Simeon Woods Richardson on the mound, they’ve got a decent shot at flipping the script tonight.
Yamamoto’s Spotlight Return After All-Star Debut
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named an All-Star for the first time this season, and now he’s back in Dodger blue trying to anchor a team that’s been searching for stability. He’s been everything the Dodgers hoped for: a high-strikeout, low-walk machine with nasty command and a mound presence beyond his years.
He comes into Tuesday’s matchup with a 9-3 record and a 3.24 ERA, impressive for any rookie—let alone one adjusting to MLB after years in Nippon Professional Baseball.
He’s got filthy movement on his splitter and a four-seamer that touches 97. If he’s on, it could be a long night for Minnesota hitters.
But this isn’t just about Yamamoto dominating. The Dodgers need a win streak. They’ve lost 10 of their last 13 games, and though they still hold a 3.5-game cushion in the NL West, the pressure is building. Hard to imagine, given their payroll and talent pool, but that’s baseball.
Twins Looking for a Spark Behind Woods Richardson
Simeon Woods Richardson isn’t exactly a household name, but he’s held his own. The 23-year-old right-hander has compiled a 5-4 record with a 3.95 ERA, showing flashes of frontline potential. He keeps the ball down and relies on a tight slider and sinking fastball combo to induce soft contact.
Tuesday’s task is tall, though. He’ll be staring down a Dodgers lineup stacked with the usual suspects—Freeman, Betts, and, of course, Ohtani.
But Minnesota isn’t folding. Not yet.
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They’re only four games under .500 at 47-51
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Just 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot in a tightly bunched AL race
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Their offense has scored 5+ runs in seven of their last ten games
If Woods Richardson can keep the game close early, the Twins’ bullpen—which has quietly been top-10 in WHIP this month—might give them a fighting chance late.
Dodgers’ Lineup Still Searching for Consistency
Even with names like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy, the Dodgers have looked oddly human at the plate since early July. Part of it is timing. Part of it is approach. And some of it might just be baseball’s randomness playing out over a long season.
Freeman has hit just .237 in July. Betts has been hot and cold, and J.D. Martinez’s bat has cooled considerably since late June. But there are signs of life.
Ohtani’s homer on Monday might be the spark they’ve been waiting on.
Manager Dave Roberts said postgame, “We haven’t played our best baseball. But we’ve seen it in flashes. If the pitching holds, the bats will come around.”
Still, scoring five runs for the first time in a week wasn’t exactly an offensive explosion.
What to Watch Tonight
This isn’t just a regular-season midweek game—there are real playoff implications brewing here. Both teams have different goals but face similar pressure.
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Pitching Matchup: Yamamoto vs. Woods Richardson
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Momentum Check: Can LA finally build a win streak?
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Minnesota’s Hope: Keep the score low and grind out at-bats
Tonight’s broadcast info matters too. For fans who want to watch live:
| Broadcast Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, July 22, 2025 |
| Time | 10:00 PM EDT |
| TV Channels | MLB Network (regional), Spectrum SN LA, TWINS.TV |
| Streaming Option | DIRECTV (WATCH NOW) |
The game will be shown on regional outlets, but DIRECTV carries both local and national feeds, including MLB Network, so you’ve got options. Just check for regional blackouts before tuning in.
Stakes Rising for Both Clubs
The Dodgers are trying to reassert control in the NL West. The Twins are fighting for relevance in the AL playoff picture. Neither can afford to drift through late July.
For LA, back-to-back wins would feel like water in the desert right now. For Minnesota, just staying within arm’s reach of .500 keeps hope alive.
It might only be one of 162 games—but tonight feels like it matters a little more.
