Key matchups Orioles must take advantage of to win series vs. Twins

The Baltimore Orioles open the 2026 season at home against the Minnesota Twins. It's easy to look at the projections that predict the Twins to be one of the worst teams in baseball this season and think that it'll be an easy series win for the Orioles, but on Opening Day, the Twins will be 0-0 and playing with all the fervor of a team trying to prove everybody wrong.

It's also worth remembering that last season the Twins went 6-0 against the Orioles, sweeping them twice in a ten-day span. The beatdown the Twins laid on the Orioles played a major role in Brandon Hyde's firing and the O's being all but mathematically eliminated 6 weeks into the season.

The Orioles should be looking for revenge and there are some key matchups to look for in the upcoming series.

Twins starters provide some must-see matchups vs. Orioles' bats

Joe Ryan dealt with a back injury early in spring training, but worked through it, and went five innings in his last spring training start. If the Orioles can drive up the pitch count early, it could be a short day for Ryan.

Taj Bradley, while talented, has never quite put it together in his career. The Orioles have played a big part in that. Bradley has faced the O's seven times over the last three seasons and has a 7.03 ERA in those games. Even last season, when the Orioles' offense was languishing, their bats got hot against Bradley.

Bailey Ober gets the ball for Game 3 on Sunday, and has been great against the Orioles in his career, posting a 2.60 ERA in five starts, making this the toughest matchup for the Orioles this series.

Byron Buxton isn't the only Twins hitter the Orioles need to be aware of

The obvious name in the Twins lineup to keep an eye on is Byron Buxton. When healthy, he's one of the best hitters in baseball, and with the Orioles catching the Twins on Opening Day, this will be the healthiest he's likely to be all season. It would be surprising if he doesn't homer at least once this series.

The other name to watch is Josh Bell. Over the past three seasons, the journeyman slugger has terrorized Orioles pitching no matter what team he's on. Since 2023, in 10 games against the Orioles, Bell has 12 hits, including three home runs, and 10 RBI. Against Trevor Rogers specifically, Bell is 6-for-13 with a 1.077 OPS.

Samuel Basallo could shine for the Orioles against the Twins

With all right-handed pitchers set to take the mound for the Twins, Colton Cowser will have a nice platoon advantage to start each game. He had a slow spring training but homered in his last scrimmage vs the Washington Nationals. Against Bradley specifically, Cowser is 4-for-10 with a homer.

This series also presents a good opportunity for Samuel Basallo to get his season off on the right foot. If the Twins starters try to pitch to contact versus Basallo, he's going to put one over the fence at some point. He should start two games at DH and one at catcher.