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Minnesota Twins vs Baltimore Orioles Series Preview

By Scott Wessels

Aug 17, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; The Oriole Bird holds up a broom after the Baltimore Orioles completed a sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 4-2 victory at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; The Oriole Bird holds up a broom after the Baltimore Orioles completed a sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 4-2 victory at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

Orioles: Baltimore currently leads the American League East by a half game over the Boston Red Sox. They have won or split their last three series, and are coming off winning two of three against the Oakland A’s. Their starter for Wednesday’s game opposite Ricky Nolasco has yet to be determined. According to beat Orioles beat reporter Eduardo Encina, the Orioles will probably use this as a “bullpen game” with Vance Worley getting the “start”. Veteran Ubaldo Jimenez is unlikely to pitch on three days rest, given his injury history and the fact he pitched 8 innings Saturday, throwing 104 pitches in a 5-2 win.

Offense: Orioles flexed their muscles Sunday, hitting 6 home runs, including two by Manny Machado. The Orioles lead the AL in home runs, third in MLB, with 43 home runs. The Twins, meanwhile have slugged 26. Orioles have three players (Machado, Mark Trumbo, & Chris Davis) who have more home runs than Atlanta does as a team (7).

Player to Watch: Manny Machado. He looks to have taken the next step to super-stardom this year, coming off his best year of 35 HR and 86 RBI. In 2013, Machado hit 51 doubles, a number he looks to top, as he’s hit for 15 doubles along with his team-leading 9 home runs. Those 15 doubles lead all of major league baseball, as do his 24 extra base hits. Machado is a lifetime .410 hitter at Target Field, with 2 HR in 9 games.

Pitching: Twins will avoid seeing Baltimore’s Chris Tillman (4-1, 3.05 ERA, 4 QS), but they will face Kevin Gausman, who came off the DL two weeks ago, and has pitched very well since his return. His last outing, against the Yankees, Gausman pitched 8 scoreless innings. Twins faced Tyler Wilson on Opening Day after the starters’ days ended after that long rain delay. He pitched three scoreless innings in relief. He has replaced Yovani Gallardo in the O’s starting rotation after Gallardo went on the DL.

Player to Watch: Kevin Gausman. During that last start versus New York, Gausman’s last pitch (his 97th) was clocked at 96 mph. He struck out 6, walking none, in a no-decision. When healthy, he looks to be the future ace of the Oriole pitching staff. In his only start at Target Field, Gausman allowed 7 ER in 3.2 innings. Miguel Sano has 2 home runs in 5 career at bats against Gausman. Joe Mauer is 5-8 against him.

Next: Twins Breakdown

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