Twins at Orioles (Game 1)
The Minnesota Twins are finding it hard to get in much game action, but they're on tap to play two with a doubleheader Saturday at the Baltimore Orioles. Rain forced the postponement of the scheduled opener of the three-game series Friday night, giving the Twins their seventh day without a game in a span of 22 days.
Minnesota will give the ball to ace Jose Berrios in the opener and left-hander Martin Perez in the nightcap as it tries to bounce back after losing three of four games to Toronto at home to begin the week. The Orioles went 1-6 on their first homestand earlier this month but carry some momentum into their second stay at Camden Yards after winning 6-5 in 11 innings at MLB-best Tampa Bay on Thursday. Right fielder Joey Rickard capped a four-hit effort with an RBI double in the 11th to provide the difference for Baltimore, which improved to 7-6 on the road. Dan Straily goes for the Orioles in the matinee before Alex Cobb comes off the disabled list for the second time this season to pitch the second game.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (2-1, 2.30 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dan Straily (1-1, 10.24)
Berrios has four straight quality starts out of the gate while striking out 28 in 27 1/3 innings with just five walks. He has held opponents to 15 hits in 27 1/3 innings, including just four over 6 2/3 frames in a win over Detroit on Sunday. The 24-year-old is 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA in two career starts at Camden Yards.
Straily gave up 10 runs in 4 2/3 innings over his first two starts before finding a groove at Boston on Monday. He held the Red Sox to one run and two hits in five innings to pick up his first win with Baltimore. First baseman C.J. Cron is 2-for-3 with a home run and a double against Straily, who has a 2.13 ERA in two career starts versus the Twins.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins LF Eddie Rosario has six home runs and 14 RBIs over his last 10 games.
2. Orioles LF Trey Mancini has five doubles and four walks over his last seven contests.
3. Minnesota took six of seven meetings last year after winning five of seven in 2017.