The Minnesota Twins (45-43) host the Baltimore Orioles (51-35) at Target Field on Friday for the first of a three-game series. The Orioles are in the midst of a seven-game road trip.
They split their last series against the Yankees, taking the finale 14-1 on Thursday at Yankee Stadium. Gunnar Henderson was 4 for 7 with two home runs, three runs, and five RBIs.
Ryan O’Hearn went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and four RBIs. The Twins are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Royals, taking the finale 5-0 on Wednesday at Target Field. Ryan Jeffers went 2 for 3 with a home run and two runs. Edouard Julien added a solo home run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Twins have won two of three in the season series between the teams, although they dropped a close one 2-1 in their last meeting on Sunday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Cionel Perez got the win with one scoreless inning of relief, and Felix Bautista struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his 22nd save.
ON THE MOUND
Cole Irvin (1-3, 6.32 ERA) is set to start for Baltimore. The lefty faces the Twins in back-to-back starts. He allowed one run over five innings on Sunday, a 2-1 road win. He scattered six hits while striking out one and walking three in the no-decision.
For Minnesota, RHP Bailey Ober (5-4, 2.70 ERA) gets the ball. His only prior start against the Orioles this season was his last time out when Ober held opposing hitters scoreless over seven innings in a 1-0 road win on Saturday. He gave up two hits while striking out eight in the win.
AT THE PLATE
The Baltimore offense is averaging 4.9 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .253/.323/.421. Austin Hays leads the team in OPS at .843.
The center fielder is slashing .312/.352/.491 with eight home runs, 34 RBIs, and 42 runs over 76 games. Against righties like Ober this season, the O’s have a .744 OPS.
Henderson is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .875 OPS in 201 at-bats. Minnesota is slashing .234/.311/.403 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game.
Byron Buxton leads the team with a .762 OPS. The center fielder has 15 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 42 runs scored with a slash line of .215/.309/.453.
The Twins have a .666 OPS against lefties in 2023, the second lowest in MLB. With a .747 OPS over 77 at-bats, Donovan Solano has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Baltimore is 25-17 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Minnesota has won five in a row at home. The Twins are 26-19 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. Minnesota is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings at Target Field with an average scoreline of 5.5-2.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Orioles are second in the AL East, four games behind the division-leading Rays. The Twins lead the AL Central by one game over the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
