Orioles' Gunnar Henderson stepping up ahead of finale vs. Twins

Gunnar Henderson has struggled this season. But he offered a reason for optimism on Tuesday and will try to build on that momentum when his Baltimore Orioles face the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The teams have traded victories in the first two contests of the three-game series.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Henderson has maintained a great attitude throughout the season despite current career lows in batting average (.216), on-base percentage (.296) and slugging percentage (.392).

The determination paid off as Henderson went 3-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-2 victory for the Orioles. The big night at the plate gave him 19 homers and 49 RBIs this season.

"We've all seen it from Gunnar," Albernaz said. "It's in there. The results have been unforgiving, but with Gunnar, he works. He's such a great worker and he cares, and he's been putting a lot of work in behind the scenes."

The Twins will try to prevent Henderson from having more success.

Minnesota is slated to give the ball to right-hander Zebby Matthews (5-8, 5.23 ERA), who will make his 16th start of the season. He will look to secure for back-to-back victories for the first time this season after earning a win in his last outing against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In that game, Matthews beat the Brewers despite giving up six runs (three earned) on seven hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out four in an 8-6 victory.

This will be Matthews' second career start against Baltimore. His first turn, in 2024, did not go well, as he allowed six runs on seven hits in three innings and took the loss.

The Orioles will counter with right-hander Shane Baz (4-11, 3.76 ERA), who will make his 24th start. He has 120 strikeouts in 136 1/3 innings on the season.

Baz will look for his first victory since June 12 against the San Diego Padres. Since then, he is 0-5 despite a respectable 3.31 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 53 to 14 in 54 1/3 innings.

In two career starts against the Twins, Baz is 0-1 with a 10.57 ERA. He has surrendered nine runs on 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Minnesota hopes for a better performance at the plate Wednesday after managing only two runs on seven hits one night earlier. Brooks Lee had a double for the team's only extra-base hit.

Twins infielder-outfielder Luke Keaschall said nobody was stressing too much.

"I don't think we're struggling offensively post-All-Star break or anything feels different," Keaschall said. "I still feel like we've had some really good games here, some tough ones there. But no, I'm not even slightly worried about it, to be honest."

Orioles catcher Yohel Pozo could be unavailable Wednesday after injuring his finger, but he avoided serious injury, Albernaz said.

"Not fractured, which is a good thing," Albernaz said. "X-rays came back clean. It's just his left pointer finger is banged up pretty good."

--Field Level Media