MINNEAPOLIS – Adley Rutschman is back behind the plate for today’s series finale at Target Field that also closes out a three-city road trip.
The Orioles are attempting to end a four-game losing streak, and 12 in a row in Minnesota. They’ve suffered back-to-back walk-off loses over the weekend.
Cedric Mullins is out of the lineup. Ryan McKenna starts in center field.
Austin Hays is in left and Anthony Santander is in right.
Richie Martin is the shortstop today.
Tyler Wells is looking like the Orioles’ ace with a 6-4 record, 3.23 ERA and 1.033 WHIP in 15 starts covering 69 2/3 innings. He’s allowed two runs in his last three starts over 16 innings.
Manager Brandon Hyde cut him back to five innings and 63 pitches in his last start, when he held the Mariners to one run and one hit: Cal Raleigh’s home run in the fifth.
Wells was in the Twins organization when the Orioles selected him in the 2020 Rule 5 draft. He started against them on May 2 and allowed one run in five innings.
The right-hander made one relief appearance at Target Field in 2021 and allowed one run and three hits in one-third of an inning.
Orioles starters have a 1.60 ERA in the last 12 games.
Eleven of Santander’s team-leading 15 home runs have come on the road.
Jorge Mateo has an RBI in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. He’s on the bench today.
Ryan Mountcastle is 7-for-18 with three doubles, a home run and a 1.172 OPS during his five-game hitting streak.
Twins left-hander Devin Smeltzer has made nine starts and posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.013 WHIP in 50 1/3 innings. He’s struck out only 31 batters.
Smeltzer has allowed only one run in his last two starts over 12 innings, with no walks and 12 strikeouts. He’s never faced the Orioles.
For the Orioles
Austin Hays LF
Trey Mancini DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Adley Rutschman C
Tyler Nevin 3B
Rougned Odor 2B
Ryan McKenna CF
Richie Martin SS
Tyler Wells RHP
For the Twins
Luis Arraez DH
Carlos Correa SS
Jorge Polanco 2B
José Miranda 3B
Max Kepler RF
Nick Gordon LF
Gary Sánchez C
Alex Kirilloff 1B
Gilberto Celestino CF
Devin Smeltzer LHP
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