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Monday night Orioles game thread: at Twins, 7:40

It is John Means Day once again as the Orioles look to get off the skids against the scuffling Twins.

By Tyler Young
MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve done it. We have made it to a match-up that, on paper, the Orioles should win. This Twins team is not particularly good, proven by their 17-29 record. They are also sending Matt Shoemaker to the mound. His 6.08 ERA can best be described as “chunky,” although it has come down in four straight outings.

John Means is coming off of what was arguably his worst start of an otherwise spectacular season. The lefty served up four earned runs on six hits, a walk and six strikeouts over 6.1 innings while taking a no decision against the Rays last week.

Despite that, Means still leads the American League with a 1.70 ERA, a WHIP of 0.75, and a batting average against of .163. It’s completely fair to say he is pitching like the Cy Young favorite, and another special performance against a subpar squad could better his chances there.

Of course, there is the concern that the Twins could suddenly awaken from their season-long slumber at any moment. They were expected to contend for a playoff spot coming into the year after winning the Central in each of the last two summers. They have been a disappointment so far, but there is plenty of season ahead of them.

Orioles Starting Lineup

  1. Cedric Mullins, CF
  2. Freddy Galvis, SS
  3. Trey Mancini, DH
  4. Anthony Santander
  5. Ryan Mountcastle, 1B
  6. DJ Stewart, LF
  7. Maikel Franco, 3B
  8. Chance Sisco, C
  9. Stevie Wilkerson, 2B

LHP John Means

Twins Starting Lineup

  1. Kyle Garlick, RF
  2. Josh Donaldson, 3B
  3. Alex Kirilloff, 1B
  4. Mitch Garver, C
  5. Miguel Sanó, DH
  6. Rob Refsnyder, CF
  7. Trevor Larnach, LF
  8. Andrelton Simmons, SS
  9. Nick Gordon, 2B

RHP Matt Shoemaker

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