Los Angeles @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 30, 2014 ) LA Dodgers 6, Minnesota 4

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the series in a bit of a slump but have a chance to put a nice winning streak together if they can take a doubleheader from the host Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Tuesday’s scheduled opener was postponed by rain and the Dodgers, who entered the series losers of five of seven, got a strong start from Zack Greinke and took the opener 6-4 on Wednesday. The Twins fell back to .500 (12-12) with the loss.

Los Angeles dropped the slumping Carl Crawford all the way down to ninth in the order with no pitcher hitting in the American League park, and he was the only one in the lineup without at least one hit in Wednesday’s win. Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez and Andre Ethier each recorded two hits and an RBI in the 12-hit attack. Minnesota made its own lineup adjustments in the opener, sitting Aaron Hicks and Pedro Florimon in favor of Sam Fuld and Edurado Escobar. Fuld doubled and scored while Escobar went 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLBN, SportsNet Los Angeles, FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Dan Haren (3-0, 2.03 ERA) vs. Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 7.32)

Haren, who is enjoying a strong start to his first season with the Dodgers, allowed three runs - one earned - on seven hits in six innings against Philadelphia last week. The Pepperdine product has yet to give up more than three earned runs in a start and has issued only four walks in 31 frames. Haren made 11 starts against Minnesota in his years in the AL and owns a 4-4 mark with a 3.89 ERA.

Pelfrey topped out at 5 1/3 innings in his first start and has not been able to record an out in the sixth inning in any of his last three turns. The 30-year-old has walked 15 in 19 2/3 total frames while striking out only eight. Pelfrey made four starts against the Dodgers during his time with the New York Mets, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.43 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw struck out nine over five innings in his second rehab outing on Wednesday and is expected to rejoin the team for a start early next week.

2. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer has recorded multiple hits in three of his last four games.

3. Los Angeles LHP Paco Rodriguez allowed three runs on Wednesday after being recalled from Triple-A a day earlier.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Twins 3