The Baltimore Orioles (48-33) will have their work cut out for them against Sonny Gray at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the Minnesota Twins (42-42) with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game series.
The Twins lead the series 2-0 after winning 1-0 on Saturday. Starter Bailey Ober threw seven scoreless innings – striking out eight – to get the win, and Jhoan Duran earned his 12th save with a scoreless ninth. Joey Gallo was 1 for 2 with a solo home run in the win. Gunnar Henderson went 1 for 3 for the Orioles.
ON THE MOUND
Gray (4-2, 2.67 ERA) is slated to get the start for Minnesota. The righty is tied for third in the AL in ERA. Gray allowed three runs over 6.2 innings in his last start, a 4-1 home defeat against the Braves on Monday. He was charged with the loss, yielding seven hits while striking out five and walking one.
Gray is making his first appearance against the Orioles this season. Gray made one start against the Orioles in 2022, a 4-3 home victory on July 2. He surrendered three runs on six hits over five innings, striking out five and walking three.
Southpaw Cole Irvin (1-3, 7.18 ERA) takes the mound for Baltimore. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins. In his last start on Monday, Irvin took a no-decision at home against the Reds. He threw three innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out three, in the 10-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged only 2.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while slashing worse across the board (.223/.275/.355). Against left-handed pitchers like Irvin this season, the Twins have a .662 OPS, third highest in the league.
Donovan Solano is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .783 OPS in 70 at-bats. Baltimore is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.8 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.200/.301/.275).
The O’s have a .741 OPS against righties in 2023, second highest in MLB. With a .878 OPS over 176 at-bats, Henderson has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 19-23 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 3.5 runs. Baltimore has lost four in a row at home. The O’s are 25-18 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. In the last 10 games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards between the teams, Minnesota is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 3.9-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by one game over the Guardians. The Orioles are second in the AL East, six games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
