Opposite dugout: Twins try to avoid trading season sweeps with Orioles in makeup game

TwinsLogo.jpgManager: Paul Molitor (2nd season)

Record: 37-63

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: SS Eduardo Nunez (.300/.326/.444 with 12 HR, 47 RBIs), 1B Joe Mauer (.359 OBP with 31 RBIs), 2B Brian Dozier (17 HR, 51 RBIs), RHP Brandon Kintzler (2.05 ERA with 8 saves), LHP Fernando Abad (2.61 ERA with 6 holds)

Season series vs. Orioles: 0-5

Pitching probables:

July 28: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Kyle Gibson, 7:10 p.m., MASN

Inside the Twins:

The Twins won all seven games against the Orioles last season. But that was so 2015 ...

Paul Molitor's team will look the deny the Birds the satisfaction of a payback season sweep in tonight's makeup game from a rainout on May 9 at Target Field. The last time the Orioles took the season series from the Twins was in 1981 when they went 6-0. Fun fact: Their next-best season record against the Twins was a staggering 10-1 in 1997.

I give you this history lesson because this is just one makeup game and the Twins are a last-place team. Interestingly enough, with the worst record in the American League at 37-63, they are coming off a two-game sweep at home by the Braves, who own the worst record in the National League at 35-66.

The Twins do have some pop in their lineup, however. Second baseman Brian Dozier has a team-leading 17 home runs and 51 RBIs, while right fielder Miguel Sano has added 15 homers and 40 RBIs of his own. Shortstop Eduardo Nunez has hit 12 home runs with 47 RBIs to go along with his .300/.326/.444 slash line. And veteran catcher-turned-first baseman Joe Mauer has added 31 RBIs to his team-best .359 on-base percentage.

Pitching-wise, the Twins still own the worst ERA in the AL (and second-worst in baseball) at 4.94, with right-hander Kyle Gibson trying to improve that tonight. Gibson is 3-6 with a 4.67 ERA in 12 starts this season and 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in eight starts since coming off the disabled list with a strained shoulder and stiff back on June 11. He pitched five innings while giving up four runs on seven hits with five walks in a loss against the Orioles in the second game of the season on April 6. Gibson is 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA in four career starts against the Birds. His only win against Baltimore came in his only other start against the O's at Target Field last year.




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