Twins at Orioles
The month of April has not been kind to Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, but he’s hoping to reverse that trend Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Gausman owns a 5.88 ERA in 15 career April appearances and has a history of struggling against the Twins, who evened the season-opening set with Saturday's 6-2 victory.
Jason Castro, Miguel Sano and Max Kepler each belted solo home runs Saturday in support of starter Kyle Gibson, who did not allow a hit through six scoreless innings. Byron Buxton went 0-for-4 while hitting eighth in the order for the Twins but carries lofty goals and a streak of 25 consecutive steals into Sunday’s contest. “I want to get 50 bases. That’s my biggest goal for this year - I’m definitely going to go more,” Buxton told reporters. “If I can get 50, that helps the team. It’s how I can help - get on base, get in scoring position.” Jonathan Schoop is 1-for-9 with four strikeouts through two games for the Orioles, who have been held to a total of eight hits - including Adam Jones’ walk-off homer on Opening Day.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH José Berríos (2017: 14-8, 3.89 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (2017: 11-12, 4.68)
Berrios appears primed for a breakout season after reducing his walks and posting an impressive strikeout rate of 8.6 per nine innings last year. The 23-year-old was sharp during spring training, going 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA over 19 frames in six starts. Manny Machado is 4-for-8 with a home run against Berrios, who owns a 2-0 record and 4.67 ERA in three career starts versus Baltimore - including a victory at Camden Yards on May 24, 2017.
Gausman is aiming for a strong start after posting a combined first-half ERA of 5.05 over the past two seasons. The 27-year-old native of Colorado worked with new teammate Andrew Cashner on his two-seam fastball during spring training and said he’s focused on being a more consistent starter in his sixth season. Joe Mauer is 5-for-10 against Gausman, who is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in five career starts versus Minnesota.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Twins are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with Baltimore.
2. Orioles OF Colby Rasmus is 10 RBIs away from reaching 500 for his career.
3. Twins RHP Phil Hughes (oblique) worked four innings in a minor-league rehab start Saturday and could rejoin the rotation on April 11.