The Minnesota Twins (40-42) are on the road to face the Baltimore Orioles (48-31) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday for the first of a three-game series.
The Twins are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip. They were just swept in three games against the Braves, dropping the finale 3-0 on Wednesday at Truist Park.
Willi Castro was 2 for 3. The Orioles are kicking off the final series of their nine-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Reds in their last series, dropping the finale 11-7 on Wednesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Adam Frazier went 1 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs, walking twice.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Twins won four of the seven games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Target Field in July.
ON THE MOUND
Pablo Lopez (3-5, 4.41 ERA) is set to take the mound for Minnesota. The RHP ranks third in the AL in strikeouts (120). Lopez allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 3-2 home defeat against the Tigers on Saturday.
He was charged with the loss, scattering seven hits while striking out 10 and walking one. For Baltimore, right-hander Dean Kremer (8-3, 4.50 ERA) takes the mound. In his last start on Saturday, Kremer took a no-decision at home against the Mariners.
He threw seven innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out five and walking one in the 6-4 victory. The right-hander is tied for fourth in the AL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .231/.308/.398. Byron Buxton leads the team in OPS at .729. The center fielder is slashing .203/.297/.432 with 13 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 35 runs over 64 games.
Over the last five games, however, Minnesota has averaged only 2.2 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.220/.280/.327). Against right-handed pitchers like Kremer this season, the Twins have a .721 OPS. Buxton also is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .790 OPS in 171 at-bats.
Baltimore is slashing .253/.323/.423 for the season and averaging 4.9 runs per game. Four Orioles hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Austin Hays (.853).
The center fielder has eight home runs, 34 RBIs, and 42 runs scored with a slash line of .314/.355/.498. The O’s have a .745 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .898 OPS over 172 at-bats, Gunnar Henderson has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is on a three-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 17-23 in 2023. The Twins have scored 3.9 runs per game away from home while allowing 3.7 runs.
Baltimore has gone 25-16 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. Minnesota is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with an average scoreline of 5.2-4.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins are second in the AL Central, zero games behind the division-leading Guardians. The Orioles are second in the AL East, five games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Baltimore Orioles (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
