Los Angeles Dodgers vs Minnesota Twins Prediction, 4/8/2024 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Minnesota Twins

Date: Monday, April 8, 2024

Location: Target Field in Minneapolis, MN

TV: Spectrum SportsNet LA

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles (-144) Minnesota (+122)

The Los Angeles Dodgers (8-3) are en route to Target Field on Monday where they will attempt to beat the Minnesota Twins (3-4). The moneyline on this matchup has Los Angeles at -144 and Minnesota is sitting at +122. The total is 8.5. The pitchers who are expected to start are James Paxton and Louie Varland.

As a unit, the Los Angeles Dodgers are scoring 6.2 runs per contest, which has them at 6th in baseball. They have earned 68 runs while holding a team on-base percentage of .371. The Dodgers have compiled 20 two-baggers as a unit and have hit 15 baseballs out of the park. They have amassed 66 RBI's in addition to 110 hits so far this season, while their team batting average is sitting at .291. Los Angeles is slugging .468 and have been called out on strikes 108 times, while being walked on 47 occasions.

Get all of our Free MLB Picks

The Dodgers have an earned run average of 4.27 this year (19th in baseball), and they have rung up 103 batters. Dodgers pitchers have surrendered 8 home runs and 52 total runs (26th in the league). Their pitching staff has walked 38 opposing players and their FIP is 3.47 as a squad so far this year. Los Angeles has relinquished 84 base hits (7.6 per 9 innings) and 47 earned runs. They have earned a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.71 and the pitching staff has a collective WHIP of 1.23.

The Dodgers have dispatched 39 relievers to the hill so far this year. The relief pitchers have inherited 12 runners for the season and 33.3% of those players crossed the plate. They have compiled 6 saves so far this season and have blown 1 of their 7 save opportunities. The Dodgers relief pitchers have a save percentage of 85.7% and stepped onto the hill in 16 save situations. The relievers have recorded 9 holds for the year (3rd in MLB). Dodgers bullpen pitchers have entered the game with players on base 8 times as well as having 7 appearances in high leverage situations.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have 297 putouts over the course of the season, in addition to 94 assists and 7 errors. Their fielding percentage is holding steady at .982 which is 18th in professional baseball, and they have turned 5 double plays. The Dodgers have turned 69.8% of balls in play into outs out of 891 innings on the field, which ranks them 15th in professional baseball.

Paxton has pitched in 855 innings and has accounted for 937 punch outs during his MLB career. His earned run average is 3.67 (349 earned runs allowed) and his WHIP is 1.227. He has conceded 781 base knocks (8.2 hits per 9 innings) and has had 269 walks. Paxton (65-38 career record) is the owner of a FIP of 3.47 and he has gone up against 3,564 opposing hitters in the majors.

The Minnesota Twins have an OBP of .308 and a batting average of .191 so far this season. They have been rung up on 73 occasions (16th in MLB) and have recorded 44 base knocks. Minnesota has accounted for 3 home runs on the year to go along with 19 RBIs. The Twins have a team slugging % of .300 and they tally 3.00 runs per game (26th in baseball). They have put up 10 two-baggers, while walking 29 times as well as putting up 21 runs.

The Twins hold a team WHIP of 1.148 and are the owners of a FIP of 4.41 as a team so far this year. Their strikeout to walk ratio sits at 9.00 (61 strikeouts against 18 free passes). They are currently ranked 3rd in MLB as a pitching staff in total hits relinquished with 52. They have given up 10 dingers and they allow 3.84 runs per 9 innings (7th in the league). The Minnesota pitching staff have yielded 26 runs on the year while having a team ERA of 3.54 (24 earned runs surrendered).

Minnesota bullpen pitchers hold an inherited score rate of 80.0% out of their 5 inherited runners. Their relief pitchers have taken the field 3 times in high leverage situations and on 4 occasions with runners on base. With 4 save situations, the Twins have compiled 3 holds and also 0 blown saves. They are ranked 3rd in baseball with a save rate of 100.0%, and they have sent 20 bullpen pitchers to the hill on the campaign. Minnesota has had relief pitchers enter the game in 1 save chance and they have come away with 1 save.

The Minnesota Twins have turned 3 double plays and hold a fielding percentage of .992 (7th in professional baseball). The Twins have 56 assists, 2 errors and have amassed 183 putouts on the season. Out of their 549 innings on the field, the Twins have a defensive efficiency of 72.9% (6th in MLB).

In his career, Varland has surrendered 98 base knocks while he has totaled 96 K's in 98 frames. He has surrendered a total of 49 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.255 and being the owner of a FIP of 4.9. He has a strikeout to walk ratio of 3.84 and he has gone up against 410 hitters so far in his pro baseball career. Varland (5-6 win-loss record in his career) holds a 4.50 earned run average while giving up 9.0 hits per nine innings.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Los Angeles (-144)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here