Twins Reveal Starting Lineup for Rubber Match Against Orioles

The Minnesota Twins are looking to stay up to pace with the rest of the AL Central, and they can do so by taking the series vs the Orioles.

Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) and relief pitcher Taylor Rogers (55) celebrate the win over the Baltimore Orioles. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Twins are trying to avoid their fourth straight series loss in a row, as they're tasked with beating the Baltimore Orioles in Wednesday afternoon's rubber match. Minnesota took game one, but dropped game two 5-2 against Baltimore on Tuesday night.

The Twins can't afford to be losing series at this stage of the season. With other AL Central rivals continuing to win, the franchise enters the series finale in third place in the division, three games under the .500 mark.

Zebby Matthews is scheduled to take the mound for his 16th start of the season, entering with a bloated 5.23 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. In his last start, the Milwaukee Brewers scored six runs total on Matthews, but only three were earned. Other than that, the Twins starter didn't pitch too poorly.

Something to watch from him in Wednesday's start, however, is whether he can keep the ball in the ballpark. In back-to-back outings, Matthews has allowed one home run and has allowed 17 long balls on the season. The team needs him to keep them in the game, especially with the Orioles fighting for a playoff spot themselves.

Twins Starting Lineup Revealed

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Josh Bell (56) runs the bases on his three-run home run. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Here's how Twins manager Derek Shelton will set his lineup today, looking to end this series losing streak.

1. LF Trevor Larnach
2. 1B Royce Lewis

3. DH Josh Bell
4. 2B Kody Clemens
5. 3B Brooks Lee
6. CF Luke Keaschall
7. C Victor Caratini
8. RF Alan Roden
9. SS Ryan Kreidler

The Twins lineup will face Orioles starter Shane Baz, who has had limited appearances against the batters in Wednesday's starting lineup. However, a handful of Twins have performed well against Baz in their careers, such as Larnach and Bell.

In a small sample size, Minnesota's leadoff hitter has collected two hits in three at-bats against Baz in his career, whereas Bell is a perfect 1-for-1. In his first season with Baltimore, Baz has started to come around to his regular self, despite his 4-11 record.

The Twins must find a way to hit the ball into the gaps, as they only had one extra-base hit in Tuesday's defeat, courtesy of Lee, who drove in an RBI. And if they can't get extra-base hits, they have to manufacture some runs against a difficult starting pitcher.

Games like this can change the direction of a season, and for the Twins, grabbing their 60th victory of 2026 will only build confidence in a playoff push that not many expected them to be competing for entering the season.