Opposite dugout: Twins' fortunes have fallen since early July sweep of O's

Manager: Paul Molitor (1st season)

Record: 59-61

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: 2B Brian Dozier (25 HR, 61 RBIs), 3B Miguel Sano (.285 with 9 HR), LF Eddie Rosario (.275 with 9 3B, 7 HR, 28 RBIs, 9 SB), 3B Trevor Plouffe (18 HR, 66 RBIs), RF Torii Hunter (18 HR, 60 RBIs) , RHP Mike Pelfrey (6-7, 3.62 ERA)

Season series vs. Orioles: 3-0

Pitching probables:

Aug. 20: RHP Tyler Duffey vs. RHP Miguel Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Aug. 21: LHP Tommy Milone vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Aug. 22: RHP Kyle Gibson vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Aug. 23: RHP Mike Pelfrey vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 1:35 p.m., MASN

Inside the Twins:

Back in early July, when they surprised the Orioles by taking all three games between the teams at Target Field in Minneapolis to improve to 46-39, the Twins were one of baseball's feel-good stories. An unheralded squad with a first-year manager defying expectations even started some whispers about playing for the postseason. Well, things haven't gone so well since for the Twins, who have won only three of their ensuing 11 series. These days, .500 is the goal and the Twins have fallen 14 1/2 games off the pace in the American League Central behind first-place Kansas City.

Truth be told, had you asked most in the Twin Cities if they'd have been happy to be in second place bearing down on September after four consecutive 90-loss seasons, they'd have probably signed up for that in blood. Rookie skipper Paul Molitor has gotten a lot out of a cast of youngsters, castoffs and overachievers. But whether they've just hit the proverbial wall or the law of averages is finally catching up with them, the Twins have come back to Earth and thoughts are turning toward a bright future rather than a run at the wild card.

Though they've scored the 12th most runs in the majors (507) and provided their pitchers with the 12th-best run support (4.30), the Twins don't do anything particularly well. Strictly by the stats, they should be a second-division club. That says a lot about the job that Molitor has done. And best yet for Minnesota fans, with some interesting young players on the horizon, the best may be yet to come.

Second baseman Brian Dozier has blossomed into quite the power hitter, leading the club with 25 home runs. Third baseman Trevor Plouffe may not be a big name, but he's got a team-high 65 RBIs. Veteran right fielder Torii Hunter returned to his roots to provide leadership, 18 homers and 60 RBIs. Stud third base prospect Miguel Sano is the real deal - he's hitting .285 since his early July recall from Triple-A and getting better by the day. By season's end, unheralded rookie left fielder Eddie Rosario will probably have double-digit doubles, triples, homers and stolen bases. The Twins recalled another top prospect, outfielder Byron Buxton, yesterday to replace injured center fielder Aaron Hicks.

Rookie righty Tyler Duffey, who will start the opener of a four-game series at Camden Yards on Thursday, was 7-8 with a 2.54 ERA in 22 starts between Triple-A and Double-A before being recalled for his first stint in the majors earlier this month. He's had his ups and downs in two starts since, but did throw six innings of one-hit shutout ball in his last start on Aug. 15 against Cleveland. He's the poster boy for small sample sizes, so take your pick as to what best represents his skill set: a .214 overall batting average against or a .500/.583/.1100 opponent slash line on the road that's inflated by one poor start. He's mostly a fastball/curveball pitcher, and it's a good bet the O's will be checking with their Triple-A Norfolk club for video of Duffey when he was pitching for Rochester, Minnesota's top farm club.

Lefty Tommy Milone gets the nod Friday night and will make his second start since returning from the disabled list after missing time with a left elbow strain. In his last outing, Aug. 16 against Cleveland, the southpaw allowed a run on three hits in five innings. Milone has worked at least six innings in eight of his past 10 starts and got a win over the Orioles on July 8, allowing a run on five hits over seven innings. He's been tough on the road, with foes recording a .208/.276/403 slash line. In his career against Baltimore, Milone is 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA in four starts. He's posted a 4.50 in one start at Camden Yards without a decision.

Saturday starter Kyle Gibson is 0-3 over his past six starts after reeling off wins in four straight decisions. The right-hander also mastered the Orioles when he faced them last month, yielding a run on two hits with seven strikeouts over six innings on July 7. Opponents are hitting .258 against him, with right-handed hitters posting a .281/.331/.441 slash line with 10 homers and 28 RBIs. He's been tough with runners in scoring position, limiting foes to a .214 average, but with none out and none on, he's been touched for a .305 average and seven homers - all solo shots. In two career starts against the O's, he's 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA, and he has a 1.80 ERA in one lifetime start at Camden Yards.

Veteran Mike Pelfrey's win in his start on Aug. 12 was his first in 11 outings dating to June 7. But the Yankees touched him for three runs (two earned) in 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday in a loss. On the road this season, Pelfrey has struggled, allowing opponents a .348/.406/.477 slash line. Overall, foes are hitting .288 against him and ripping him at a .348 clip with runners in scoring position. . First innings have been a problem, as his .326 average against suggests. In his first through 15th pitches, Pelfrey allows a .379/.400/.494 slash line. He's made three career starts against the Orioles, and has a 2-0 record and 3.86 ERA in two starts at Camden Yards.

AL saves leader Glen Perkins, who has allowed eight runs in his last nine appearances and seen his ERA rise from 1.37 to 2.66, returned to Minnesota yesterday to have his sore neck examined. Last year, he was breezing along until late August when a neck problem short-circuited his season. His loss would further weaken a bullpen that's produced spotty results.