The Orioles (57-62) continue a three-game road series at Target Field on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins (59-61), needing a response after a series opener that did not go their way.
Monday was Dean Kremer's revenge game, and he got it. Traded away by Baltimore at the deadline for an 18-year-old prospect, Kremer took the mound against his former team for the first time since the deal — and beat them. The Orioles lost 9-5, wasting a solid four-inning, two-run start from Trevor Rogers after Grant Wolfram allowed three earned runs in just 1.2 innings of relief and let the game get away. Coby Mayo (2-for-4, double, three RBI) and Jackson Holliday (2-for-4) did their part, but it wasn't enough to overcome the bullpen collapse — and a night Baltimore should have had every reason to feel good about instead left the Orioles further behind in the race they're trying to climb back into.
That's become the story of the Orioles' August. Entering the weekend in Texas, Baltimore had scored just 11 runs total across its first seven games of the month, a stretch that included four games in six with one run or fewer. Sunday's 10-run breakout against the Rangers looked like it might be a turning point. One night later, the offense reverted, and a bullpen implosion did the rest.
The result: the Twins, one of the wild-card teams Baltimore still needs to pass, are now two games ahead of Baltimore in the standings rather than tied or trailing after a series the Orioles entered with real belief they could make up ground. The O's are three games back of the final AL wild-card spot. It doesn't get easier from here — after this series wraps Wednesday, Baltimore's next ten games come against the Rays and Yankees, the two best teams in the American League. A series loss in Minnesota would mean heading into that stretch already further underwater, with even less margin for error against the toughest part of the schedule still to come.
Tuesday gives the Orioles a chance to salvage the series. Brandon Young (8-3, 3.43 ERA) takes the ball for Baltimore against Minnesota right-hander Bailey Ober (7-3, 4.45 ERA). A win would even the series before Wednesday's finale; a loss would mean Baltimore heads into that brutal stretch against Tampa Bay and New York already needing to make up more ground than it had entering Monday.
Probable Starters
Minnesota Twins: RHP Bailey Ober (7-3, 4.45 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Brandon Young (8-3, 3.43 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 7:40 PM ET at Target Field
Weather: 88°F, Clear
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)
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