Sometimes it’s not how you start, or how you finish. In baseball, the last two weeks of July can carry as much weight as any stretch of the entire calendar.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the first after giving up a leadoff homer to fellow All-Star Byron Buxton, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on Monday night.

Teams are showing interest in Cardinals lefty Steven Matz, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis is also likely to at least consider offers for righty relievers Ryan Helsley and Phil Maton.

This story was excerpted from Matthew Leach’s Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

A disappointing first half has left the Minnesota Twins in a rough spot as they decide what to do prior to the trade deadline, with All-Star Joe Ryan being floated as a potential candidate to be dealt by one person in MLB.

He went seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and just one walk. He allowed just two hits after the second inning, induced two crucial double plays, and threw 78 pitches. It was the fourth time a Rockies starter has gone seven innings this season and the first since Germán Márquez on May 22.

The New York Yankees will likely be very active at the trade deadline. Which positions and which players will the Bronx Bombers look to target?

From team and individual slumps to trade rumors and pitching stars, this series is full of interesting storylines for the Twins and Dodgers.