O's game blog: Yovani Gallardo makes O's debut tonight against Twins

After winning on opening day for the sixth consecutive season, the Orioles will look for a 2-0 start tonight in the second game of their series against the Minnesota Twins.

Matt Wieters' single in the last of the ninth Monday afternoon gave the O's a 3-2 walk-off win, their fifth walk-off win on opening day, but their first since 2003.

O's batters went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position in the opener and drew five walks while winning without a homer. O's pitchers allowed just seven hits and did not issue a walk, striking out 10 Twins.

Tonight, right-hander Yovani Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA in 2015 with Texas) makes his Orioles debut facing Minnesota right-hander Kyle Gibson (11-11, 3.84 ERA in 2015).

Gallardo posted his career-best ERA in 2015 and was 12th among American League starting pitchers in groundball percentage at 50.8 percent. He ranked 11th among AL starters in ERA.

Last season when facing an AL Central team, Gallardo went 3-0 with an ERA of 1.03. He made one start versus Minnesota, pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings. In eight career starts against the Twins, he is 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA.

Earlier today I posted this profile of Gallardo. During an interview Monday with the veteran, Gallardo pledged to do all he can this year to help the O's younger pitchers.

"When I was younger, I had a good bunch of guys help me out and I'm in that situation now," Gallardo said. "I approach every one and let them know if they have any questions, feel free to ask. I think at the end of the day that can be good for them and the club.

"Being around so long, you learn a lot of things. Different approaches, how to attack a certain guy during the game. You know, the mentality. This game is difficult and it can be hard to forget a rough start. Just realize each and every time you go out you will not feel great."

Gibson made two starts versus the Orioles last year, going 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA. He is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three career starts against Baltimore. In seven career starts against the AL East, he is 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA.

Before the All-Star break last year, Gibson went 8-6 with a 2.85 ERA and Gallardo went 7-8 with a 2.62 ERA. After the break, Gibson was 3-5 with a 5.22 ERA and Gallardo was 6-3 with a 4.69 ERA.