Baltimore @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2018 ) Baltimore 2, Minnesota 5

Coming off a miserable 1-8 road trip, the Minnesota Twins figure to have a solid grasp on whether they want to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline later this month once they finish their 11-game homestand leading into the All-Star break. The Twins kicked off their extended stay in Minnesota the right way and attempt to win consecutive games on Friday, when they host the Baltimore Orioles for the second contest of their four-game series.

The Twins were within four games of the first place in the American League Central as recently as June 16, but a 4-12 stretch - combined with Cleveland's 12-4 record over the same span - had them staring at a 12-game deficit entering Thursday. Hosting league-worst Baltimore proved to be just what Minnesota needed to get back on track, as it snapped its six-game losing streak behind six strong innings from Aaron Slegers and a three-hit effort from fellow rookie Jake Cave. Jonathan Schoop batted .144 in June but may be on the verge of breaking out of his season-long funk, providing all of the offense in the Orioles' series-opening 5-2 loss to improve to 5-for-12 in his first three starts this month. Baltimore has dropped three of its four meetings with Minnesota this season, scoring a total of seven runs in those contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (6-7, 3.75 ERA) vs. Twins RH Lance Lynn (5-7, 5.49)

Bundy, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since June 23, is expected to come off the disabled list in time to make the start and attempt to extend his three-game winning streak. The native of Oklahoma was sharp in his four outings last month, going 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA while posting a 0.92 WHIP and holding opposing hitters to a .186 average. Bundy produced one of his finest performances of the season on Opening Day against Minnesota, yielding five hits and striking out seven over seven scoreless frames.

Lynn will be happy to pitch somewhere besides Chicago after getting rocked in back-to-back losses, giving up five runs - four earned - over five innings against the White Sox on June 26 before surrendering seven runs in 1 2/3 frames Sunday versus the Cubs. The 31-year-old was much better in his six previous turns, going 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA. Mark Trumbo is 5-for-10 with three homers and six RBIs against Lynn, who is 1-1 with a 7.30 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 1B Joe Mauer went 0-for-4 in the series opener but only needs one double to move past Kirby Puckett (414) for the most in club history.

2. All 10 of Schoop's home runs this season have been solo shots.

3. Minnesota RHP Fernando Rodney nailed down his 318th career save on Thursday, tying former Twin Rick Aguilera for 20th place on the all-time list.

PREDICTION: Orioles 4, Twins 2