In the first of a four-game series between the Baltimore Orioles (62-57) and the Minnesota Twins (59-61) at Camden Yards, Miguel Gonzalez (9-8, 4.42 ERA) and Tyler Duffey (1-1, 6.75 ERA) take the mound. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 20 and will air on FSN, MASN and MLBN.
In his last start, Gonzalez pitched 7.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out five and walking three in a 4-3 loss to the Athletics. Manny Machado (.300, 75 Rs, 25 HRs, 62 RBIs, 16 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one stolen base. The Twins were victorious over the Indians 4-1 the last time Duffey pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out seven and walking five. Trevor Plouffe (.249, 57 Rs, 18 HRs, 66 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Baltimore, a -156 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Minnesota. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Orioles have a 39-27 record and overall money line at +107. They are 5-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games. The Orioles have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire AL, averaging 4.5 runs per game. As for the pitching staff, the Orioles don’t give up many walks to opposing batters at Camden Yards, ranking second in the AL with only 2.3 walks allowed per home game.
Moving on to the away team, the Twins come into this game with a win percentage of .463 when playing as the underdog (44-51) and an overall money line of +845. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 4-6 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 1-5 record. They also allow just 2.5 walks per game, good for tops in the AL.
So far this season, the Twins are 3-0 against the Orioles. This game will feature Duffey (RHP) on the mound against the Orioles, who have a 44-46 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Twins will be the right-hander Gonzalez. They sport a 38-41 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bal, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the New York, the Orioles now have nine shutouts this season. The Twins have been shut out in seven games this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Orioles are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Twins have a 9-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 10-53. The Orioles have a 10-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 16th in home runs, Minnesota has hit 112 this season. Baltimore ranks fourth with 157 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.29 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.64.
Ranking 21st, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.701). Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .739.
The Twins are 32-49 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Orioles are 34-40 when they allow at least one homer.
