The set-up: The Los Angeles Angels hit three HRs early to grab a four-run lead but saw that lead disappear before a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning helped lead them to a 7-4 triumph. Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani also went deep and added an RBI double as he has hit safely in 14 of the 16 games in which he served as designated hitter (.354 BA / 5 HRs / 16 RBI). LA's win in the opener of this four-game series vs. the visting Twins has them percentage points ahead of the Houston Astros for first-place in the AL West (Angels are 23-14, .22 and the Astros are 24-15, .615 ). Minnesota saw its five-game winning streak come to an end, despite Brian Dozier going 4-for-4 (he had half of the Twins' eight hits), including a three-run HR. The Twins are just 15-18 but also only 1 1/2 games back of the first-place Indians in the AL Central.

The pitching matchup: Lance Lynn (1-3, 7.28 ERA) takes teh mound for Minnesota and lefty Tyler Skaggs (3-2, 3.08 ERA)( gets the nod for LA. Lynn came to the Minnesota Twins with a solid resume from his years in the National League. He spent six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, compiling a 72-47 mark in that span, which led to him signing a one-year, $12 million contract with the Twins in March. Lynn posted an 8.37 ERA over five starts in April, surrendering five or more runs in four of the outings (he was 0-3 and the team, 0-5). However, Lynn posted his elusive first victory Saturday in Chicago, limiting the White Sox to two runs on eight hits and struck out seven in six innings in an 8-4 win. Lynn made his only career start against the Angels while with St. Louis in 2013, when he yielded five runs and nine hits over six innings in a loss on the road. Skaggs has allowed fewer than three runs in each of his last three starts, including a no-decision at Seattle on Saturday in which he gave up two with seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings (he's 1-1 and the team 1-2 in that span). Skaggs has struggled at home this season, going 0-2 while surrendering 10 runs over 14 1/3 Innings in three starts (6.28 ERA). This marks Skaggs' 65th start of his career, but will be facing Minnesota for the first time.
The pick: Not sure why Skaggs has struggled so much at home, as he owns a 1.14 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in four road starts. Lynn hasn't adjusted well to the AL and comes in not only with a bloated ERA but a 1.96 WHIP, while opponents are batting .299 against him. Make the Angels an 8* play.