Baltimore @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2018 ) Baltimore 2, Minnesota 6

The Minnesota Twins are already well on their way towards erasing the bad vibes that were created from their recently completed 1-8 road trip. The Twins eye their first three-game winning streak since the beginning of June and attempt to continue their recent domination of the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday when the teams meet for the third contest in a four-game set.

Minnesota returned home Thursday after getting swept in back-to-back series by the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers and promptly snapped a six-game skid by getting strong performances from rookies Aaron Slegers and Jake Cave in a 5-2 victory. It was the veterans' turn to rise to the challenge in Friday's 6-2 triumph, as Max Kepler belted a two-run homer to help the Twins race out to an early six-run lead while Lance Lynn held the Orioles in check over six innings. Minnesota has outscored Baltimore 26-9 while taking four of the five meetings this season and won 10 of the last 13 contests between the teams. The Orioles have dropped 11 of their 12 overall, scoring three runs or fewer 10 times over that span.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (4-6, 4.05 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (2-6, 3.58)

Gausman earned his first victory in nine starts since May 11 on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing two runs and six hits across eight innings. The LSU product is winless in eight road turns this season but has yielded two or fewer runs in four consecutive outings overall, posting a 2.46 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over that stretch. Brian Dozier (5-for-18) and Eduardo Escobar (3-for-10) have each homered versus Gausman, who was pounded for six runs over four frames in his season debut against Minnesota on April 1.

Gibson was afforded an unusual amount of run support but could not take advantage Monday at Milwaukee, settling for a no-decision after permitting four runs (three earned) over five innings. The 30-year-old has surrendered more than three earned runs only once in his last seven outings, but Minnesota has won only two of those games and backed him with an average of two runs in the five losses. Gibson walked five but threw six no-hit innings to beat Baltimore in his season debut on March 31.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kepler has hit safely in 11 of his 12 career games against the Orioles, batting .391 with four homers and 15 RBIs in those contests.

2. Baltimore has not scored more than three runs in any game against Minnesota this season.

3. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer is a career .339 hitter versus the Orioles and needs one more double to pass Kirby Puckett (414) for the most in club history.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, Orioles 3