Kevin Gausman (2-5, 4.48 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (62-60) meet Mike Pelfrey (6-7, 3.62 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (62-61) in the last of a four-game series at Camden Yards. The Twins won the last game 3-2 and Minnesota can finish out the series sweep with a win in this game. The game starts at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23 and will air on FSN and MASN.
In his most recent outing, Gausman pitched 6.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking one in a 5-3 loss to the Mets. Manny Machado (.297, 76 Rs, 25 HRs, 62 RBIs, 16 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday. The Twins were unsuccessful to the Yankees 8-4 the last time Pelfrey pitched. He went 5.1 innings, allowing one run, striking out four and walking one. Brian Dozier (.245, 84 Rs, 25 HRs, 63 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Baltimore is a -168 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. The Orioles are 40-29 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -117. The Orioles have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire AL, averaging 4.5 runs per game. Below average play has been the norm lately for the Baltimore pitchers. The Orioles have given up an average of 5.0 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 4.0 runs per game. The Orioles are third in the AL in walks allowed at home with just 2.4 per game.
Switching gears, the Twins come into this game with a win percentage of .474 when playing as the underdog (46-51) and an overall money line of +1,149. Minnesota has been playing better lately, averaging 5.8 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.3. Switching gears to Minnesota’s pitching staff, they allow just 2.5 walks per game, good for tops in the AL.
The Twins had their way with the Orioles in their previous six games this season, winning them allThe Orioles will take on a right-hander (Pelfrey) in this game and have a 45-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Twins will be the right-hander Gausman. They sport a 39-41 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bal, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Baltimore is 24-18, while Minnesota is 19-22.
The Twins managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Orioles who are heading in with an 18-13 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 10-53. The Orioles have a 10-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Minnesota ranks in the bottom half of the league at 16th when it comes to home runs, hitting 114 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fourth with 161.
Ranking 11th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.37 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.63.
Ranking 20th, Minnesota is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.705). Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .737.
The Twins are 33-49 when they allow at least one home run. The Orioles perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 35-41 record.
