Twins vs. Orioles: 2026 Opening Day Preview

3 months agoUS
Twins vs. Orioles: 2026 Opening Day PreviewSource: mlb.com
The Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles face off on Opening Day at Camden Yards, both seeking a strong start after missing the playoffs in 2025. The Orioles look to extend their Opening Day winning streak, while the Twins aim for their third win in four years.

Key Insights

Starting Pitchers:: Joe Ryan (Twins) vs. Trevor Rogers (Orioles).

New Managers:: Derek Shelton (Twins) and Craig Albernaz (Orioles) are managing their first games for their respective teams.

Injuries:: Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are on the injured list for the Orioles.

Weather:: Expected to be in the mid-70s for the game in Baltimore.

In-Depth Analysis

Pitching Matchup

Joe Ryan makes his second Opening Day start for the Twins, coming off his first All-Star appearance. Trevor Rogers, after a stellar 2025 season earning him the Most Valuable Oriole Award, makes his first career Opening Day start.

Lineups

The Twins' lineup features Byron Buxton and several promising hitters needing to step up. The Orioles are missing key infielders due to injuries but feature new additions Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward.

Twins Lineup:

1.

Austin Martin, LF

2.

Byron Buxton, CF

3.

Luke Keaschall, 2B

4.

Ryan Jeffers, C

5.

Matt Wallner, RF

6.

Josh Bell, DH

7.

Victor Caratini, 1B

8.

Royce Lewis, 3B

9.

Brooks Lee, SS

Orioles Lineup:

1.

Taylor Ward, LF

2.

Gunnar Henderson, SS

3.

Pete Alonso, 1B

4.

Adley Rutschman, C

5.

Samuel Basallo, DH

6.

Tyler O'Neill, RF

7.

Colton Cowser, CF

8.

Coby Mayo, 3B

9.

Blaze Alexander, 2B

Bullpen

The Twins' bullpen is uncertain after trading away key relievers last season. The Orioles have Ryan Helsley as their new closer, but the setup options are less defined.

Injuries

The Twins are relatively healthy, while the Orioles are missing Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg due to injuries.

Hot and Cold

Luke Keaschall and Matt Wallner had strong spring training performances for the Twins. Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo impressed for the Orioles, while Colton Cowser struggled.

FAQs

Q: When and where is the game?

Thursday at 3:05 p.m. ET at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Q: How can I watch the game?

Stream on MLB.TV?ref=yanuki.com. Twins broadcast on Twins.TV?ref=yanuki.com, Orioles on MASN. Radio: WCCO 830 AM (Minneapolis), 98 Rock FM (Baltimore).

Key Takeaways

This Opening Day matchup features new faces and high expectations for both the Twins and Orioles. Key players to watch include Joe Ryan, Trevor Rogers, Byron Buxton, and Pete Alonso. The game's outcome could set the tone for their seasons.

Discussion

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