Shane Baz has his five-year, $68 million extension and now gets to make his first official start with the Orioles.

Baz made one career start against the Twins and allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings on June 11, 2022. He’s made three starts at Camden Yards and allowed only one earned run and four hits in 16 innings.

His most recent start in Baltimore came in his last game with the Rays on Sept. 24, 2025, when he tossed four scoreless and hitless innings.

Ryan Mountcastle makes his first start today, batting cleanup and playing first base.

Mountcastle’s pinch-hit single yesterday extended his franchise-record hitting streak against the Twins to 18 games. He improved to 10-for-25 (.400) with two doubles, three RBIs and three walks in his career as a pinch-hitter.

Pete Alonso is the designated hitter.

Dylan Beavers replaces Colton Cowser in center field. Samuel Basallo is behind the plate instead of Adley Rutschan.

Jeremiah Jackson gets another start at second base, keeping Blaze Alexander on the bench.

The Orioles have tallied five hits or fewer in each of the first two games of a season for the first time since 2018.

Twins right-hander Bailey Ober has a career 2.60 ERA in five starts against the Orioles. In two starts at Camden Yards, Ober has allowed three runs and four hits in 11 2/3 innings.

Gunnar Henderson is 2-for-13 with a home run against Ober.

Henderson flied out yesterday with the bases loaded and slammed his bat to the ground as he approached first base. The frustrating day also included a pitch that nailed him on the hand.

The shortstop is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in the first two games of the season.

“I want that fire,” manager Craig Albernaz said when asked about Henderson. “To me, you get that emotion, and the flip side, the same thing in the WBC when he hits that double and he’s fired up at second base. He’s an emotional player. I love the emotion. He’s a competitor, but the best thing about Gunnar is, like in the eighth inning, ninth inning, he’s still top step. He’s talking about baseball. He’s just wants to come through, and he wants to come through to get the big hit. And I’m perfectly fine with that frustration.”

For the Orioles
Taylor Ward LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Pete Alonso DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Samuel Basallo C
Tyler O’Neill RF
Coby Mayo 3B
Dylan Beavers CF
Jeremiah Jackson 2B

Shane Baz RHP