MINNEAPOLIS — The Dodgers picked up a dominant 6-3 win on Tuesday night behind two three-run home runs and Tyler Glasnow’s excellent start.
Will Smith and James Outman both blasted three-run home runs as the Dodgers (10-4) collected nine hits. The season is barely two weeks old and the Dodgers have a four-game lead in the NL West.
Although there were three runs given up by the bullpen, Glasnow was fantastic through his seven innings, which was plenty of cushion to keep Minnesota at bay despite a late surge.
The Dodgers are now 10-4 on the season.
Here are three takeaways:
Glasnow ties career high
The Dodgers needed a pitcher to break the seven inning mark to save the bullpen, and they certainly got it in the second game against the Twins. Glasnow gave up only three hits, walked none, and struck out 14 hitters to tie his career high.
Manager Dave Roberts has said that Glasnow has the type of arsenal to throw a perfect game every time he goes out to the mound and while command has been an issue at times, Roberts has been right.
There are certain times like Tuesday night where the ace of the Dodgers staff looks like one of the best pitchers in baseball, so consistency is needed for him to actually dominate on a night-to-night basis.
Smith, Outman provide offense
The Dodger offense did have 14 strikeouts collectively, but the only production the team needed were the two monumental blasts to center and right field.
Outman has been on a small hot streak as of late, and his 2-for-4 day with a three-run blast was probably the most impactful he has been since last year. His shot opened up the scoring and allowed Glasnow to go more innings.
Smith’s homer came in the next inning in the fifth, and it was an opposite field shot to break the game open and keep the Dodgers ahead for good. He has been a huge bright spot in the lineup thus far.
Bullpen still struggling
While there has been excellent pitching from the starters as of late, the Dodgers bullpen has scuffled since coming out of the gates hot.
Alex Vesia and newly acquired Connor Brogdon combined to give up all three of the Twins’ runs after Glasnow came out of the game.
While it was a 6-0 game at the time, this bullpen has to be more supplemental of the great starting pitching performances and high-scoring offensive outputs we have seen recently.
Bobby Miller takes the mound for the Dodgers against Chris Paddack of the Twins on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 10:10 a.m.
