The Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins will wrap up their three-game set at Target Field on Thursday, May 8, 2025, with both clubs looking to gain momentum after uneven starts to the season. The Orioles, sitting at 13–21, have struggled to find any consistency, especially on the road where they’ve posted a disappointing 5–12 record and have been outscored by a significant margin. Offense has been a major issue for Baltimore, as they’ve managed just 3.9 runs per game while allowing 5.6 runs on average—a clear imbalance that has contributed to their early struggles. Dean Kremer is expected to get the start for the Orioles, and while he has shown flashes of effectiveness, his 3–4 record and 5.73 ERA suggest that he’s vulnerable, especially against disciplined lineups like Minnesota’s. The Orioles have relied heavily on Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn to carry the offensive load, and though both have had bright moments, it hasn’t been enough to offset inconsistent pitching and defensive lapses. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins, despite their own 16–20 record, have shown signs of life, particularly at home where they are 10–6 and have been far more competitive. Joe Ryan will take the mound for the Twins, and he’s been their most dependable starter to date, sporting a 2–2 record with an impressive 2.93 ERA—numbers that provide a stark contrast to Kremer’s and give Minnesota a distinct edge on the bump.

The Twins’ offense, averaging 3.8 runs per game, has also struggled at times but has enough firepower to take advantage of Baltimore’s underperforming pitching staff. Players like Byron Buxton bring speed and power, while Ty France’s bat-to-ball skills provide needed balance to the lineup. Although the Orioles have covered the spread in each of their last five meetings with the Twins, historical trends may be tested in this one given how much better Minnesota has been at home and the presence of Ryan on the mound. Defensively, both teams have had their ups and downs, but Minnesota has been more stable overall, especially when playing in front of their home crowd. The key to this matchup will be whether Kremer can keep the game close early or if the Twins’ lineup can jump on him quickly and force Baltimore into their bullpen by the middle innings—a unit that’s been overworked and largely ineffective in high-leverage spots. For Baltimore, they’ll need to play error-free baseball, get production from the top of the lineup, and hope Kremer can limit the damage until the offense finds a groove. For the Twins, sticking to their game plan of attacking early, playing clean defense, and letting Ryan control the pace gives them an excellent shot at not only winning the game but taking the series. With both teams desperate for a spark in the standings, this finale could carry more weight than the records suggest, especially as they try to position themselves better heading into mid-May.