Sunday afternoon Orioles game thread: at Twins, 2:10

So far this season, the Orioles have shown themselves to be more competitive than many expected.

Against some teams, that is. The Twins? Different story.

Minnesota has had the Orioles’ number this month, and has been just as comfortable winning via blowout or nail-biter. The Twins have beaten the Orioles five straight times, and will look to make it six (and finish a sweep for the second time in seven days) this afternoon.

The Orioles will turn to Dylan Bundy to play the role of stopper. Bundy is 0-3 with a 6.56 ERA, but had his strongest start of the season against these Twins last Sunday, when he went six innings and allowed two earned runs while striking out four.

Of note: Trey Mancini is out after bruising his right index finger Saturday. That hurts Sunday’s short-term focus, but in the long-term, Mancini is expected to be fine after X-rays were negative.

The Twins will counter with Kyle Gibson, making this a rematch of last Sunday’s pitching showdown. Gibson allowed two earned runs and five hits in six innings last week against the O’s, fanning six. Overall, he’s 1-0 with a 6.10 ERA, so as with the Twins and Bundy, one wonders if the bats will be hotter given a second time facing a struggling pitcher.

Orioles lineup

1. Jonathan Villar 2B

2. Stevie Wilkerson RF

3. Dwight Smith, Jr. LF

4. Renato Nuñez DH

5. Rio Ruiz 3B

6. Austin Wynns C

7. Chris Davis 1B

8. Joey Rickard CF

9. Richie Martin SS

Dylan Bundy RHP

Twins lineup

1. Max Kepler RF

2. Jorge Polanco SS

3. Nelson Cruz DH

4. Eddie Rosario LF

5. C.J. Cron 1B

6. Marwin Gonzalez 3B

7. Mitch Garver C

8. Jonathan Schoop 2B

9. Byron Buxton CF

Kyle Gibson RHP