Los Angeles Dodgers Take 1-0 Series Lead Over Minnesota Twins as Pitching, Power, and Poise Set the Tone in Opener
The Los Angeles Dodgers took care of business in the first game of their three-game set against the Minnesota Twins, securing a 1-0 series lead behind a performance that highlighted their strengths in pitching, timely power hitting, and veteran composure. In what was a tightly contested affair filled with elite talent, clutch execution, and a few dramatic moments, the Dodgers once again demonstrated why they remain one of the most feared teams in Major League Baseball. The 5-2 victory gave them an early edge in the series and set the tone for what could be a defining stretch in their 2025 campaign.
From the moment the game began, there was electricity in the air at Dodger Stadium. With the Twins in town, fans were treated to a matchup featuring multiple All-Stars, top-tier arms, and explosive bats. The game started off with some fireworks, as Minnesota’s Byron Buxton launched a leadoff home run in the top of the first inning, briefly silencing the crowd. But it didn’t take long for the Dodgers to respond—and when they did, it came in emphatic fashion.
In the bottom of the first inning, Shohei Ohtani—once again doing the impossible—answered Buxton’s shot with one of his own. After Mookie Betts reached base with a leadoff single, Ohtani crushed a go-ahead two-run homer that traveled over 440 feet into the right-center bleachers. The blast gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead and flipped the momentum entirely. Ohtani’s swing was majestic, powerful, and perfectly timed. For a player who had just given up a homer on the mound, the redemption at the plate was symbolic of his rare two-way brilliance.
Ohtani’s presence continues to be the heartbeat of the Dodgers’ lineup and rotation. Pitching five innings after surrendering just one early run, he recovered from Buxton’s leadoff shot with grace and control. Over the next five frames, he struck out seven and walked one, allowing only three hits total. It wasn’t a dominant, overpowering performance in terms of velocity, but it was smart, calculated, and efficient. He adjusted his pitch mix, leaned on his slider and splitter, and worked out of minor jams without giving up any further damage.
Behind Ohtani, the Dodgers’ bullpen was rock solid once again. Evan Phillips, Ryan Brasier, and Alex Vesia each contributed a scoreless inning of work, mixing sharp off-speed stuff with deceptive fastballs. The trio combined for five strikeouts and no walks, effectively shutting down any hopes of a Twins comeback. In the ninth, the Dodgers’ closer entered and slammed the door, working a clean inning to pick up his 25th save of the season. He continues to be a stabilizing force at the back end of a bullpen that’s dealt with its share of injuries and shifting roles.
While Ohtani provided the game’s most significant swing, the rest of the Dodgers’ offense came through in crucial spots as well. Will Smith, who has quietly been putting together another All-Star caliber season, added to the lead in the fourth with a solo home run of his own. His swing—a quick, compact drive to left field—gave the Dodgers a 3-1 cushion and further demoralized the Twins’ starter, who struggled to keep the ball in the yard.
Freddie Freeman, one of the most consistent hitters in all of baseball, extended the lead in the sixth with a double down the line that scored Max Muncy from first. Freeman’s approach at the plate—patient, calculated, and contact-oriented—once again paid off in a big moment. He worked a 3-1 count before lacing a pitch into the corner, showcasing why he remains a centerpiece of this loaded Dodgers lineup.
Chris Taylor also chipped in with an RBI single in the seventh that pushed the lead to 5-1. Taylor, often the unsung hero, continues to deliver when called upon, whether it’s with his glove, bat, or versatility in the field. His ability to play multiple positions and deliver in clutch moments gives the Dodgers tremendous roster flexibility.
The Twins, despite showing flashes of competitiveness, couldn’t muster enough offense after Buxton’s homer. Their lineup—which includes sluggers like Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis—was largely neutralized by Ohtani’s mix of breaking pitches and the Dodgers’ airtight bullpen. Minnesota managed just five hits on the night and struck out 12 times, leaving multiple runners stranded and failing to execute in key moments.
Their starter, who had been on a solid run heading into the series, was knocked out after five innings, having allowed three earned runs and walking two. He struggled with command and had trouble keeping Dodgers hitters off balance, particularly the left-handed bats. While his velocity was there, the execution and location simply weren’t, and the Dodgers took advantage.
Defensively, the Dodgers were sharp. Miguel Rojas made a highlight-reel diving stop at shortstop to rob a sure single in the second inning, and James Outman tracked down a long fly ball at the wall to end the sixth. These kinds of plays may not make the headlines, but they’re the difference-makers in tight games—keeping runners off base and preserving leads for the pitching staff.
With the Game 1 win, the Dodgers now find themselves in a strong position to take the series, and possibly sweep it. Manager Dave Roberts was quick to praise the collective effort after the game. “That’s the kind of baseball we want to play,” Roberts said. “Shohei set the tone early, and our bullpen was outstanding. The guys are locked in right now, and we’ve just got to keep building on this.”
Ohtani, speaking through his interpreter, downplayed the individual performance and focused on the bigger picture. “It’s always good to help the team win,” he said. “That’s all that matters. Whether it’s on the mound or at the plate, I just want to contribute.”
The Dodgers are now 66-38 and remain in firm control of the National League West. They’ve won seven of their last nine games and are getting production from every part of the roster. With Betts, Freeman, Ohtani, and Smith leading the offense, and a pitching staff rounding into shape despite injuries, the Dodgers appear poised for another deep October run.
Looking ahead to Game 2, the Dodgers will send young right-hander Bobby Miller to the mound. Miller, whose electric stuff and poise have made him one of the more exciting arms in the league, will be tasked with keeping the Twins off balance and helping his team clinch the series. Minnesota will counter with veteran Sonny Gray, a pitcher with big-game experience and a deep arsenal of breaking pitches.
It’s a classic matchup of youth versus experience, and it promises to be another exciting contest between two playoff-caliber teams.
For now, though, the Dodgers can savor this win—a game that started with a jolt but ended in control. Ohtani’s resilience, the offense’s depth, and the bullpen’s dominance were the key ingredients in a victory that reinforced why the Dodgers are one of the most complete teams in baseball.
As the series continues, the Dodgers will look to maintain that balance, lean on their stars, and let their championship pedigree guide them through. With one win in the books, two more games await—and if Game 1 was any indication, this series could be a memorable one.
