Cedric Mullins, Orioles look to topple Twins

With so many rising young standouts playing roles for the Baltimore Orioles, Cedric Mullins probably shouldn't be overlooked.

He's one of the Orioles' veterans -- and recently one of the most productive members of the team.

Mullins will try to keep that role going on Tuesday evening when Baltimore hosts the Minnesota Twins in the second contest of a three-game series.

The Orioles won the series opener 7-4, boosted by three home runs. One was from Mullins, who also had a sacrifice fly.

"They're really tapping into their power," Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said of the lineup that also saw Ryan O'Hearn and Gunnar Henderson homer Monday night. "I love how (Mullins is) swinging the bat the last week and has given us a huge spark offensively."

Baltimore batters have been displaying power strokes, with three homers in each of the past three games. Mullins has gone deep in consecutive games for the first time in more than a year.

"That's just us committing to our plan," he said. "We're starting to get our groove as an offense and looking for a lot more from us."

Mullins' contributions also included a highlight-worthy diving catch in center field in the first inning Monday.

"He's playing great defense for us again this year," Hyde said. "Cedric is a really, really important part of our team."

The Twins will try to avoid a three-game slide after managing only four runs despite registering 11 hits in the first game of the series. The Orioles turned two double plays.

Baltimore's batting order can be tricky to tame.

"They are a dangerous lineup if you make mistakes, regardless of count," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "They will get to a lot of those mistakes. It's a tough lineup to navigate."

Baltimore's starting pitcher on Tuesday will be right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (2-0, 2.50 ERA), who has struck out 21 across 18 innings in three starts this season. He has not faced the Twins in his career.

New Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel has been used the past two days. It's the third time this season he has been summoned on back-to-back days.

His workload will be monitored.

"Not great this time of the year, but we'll see," Hyde said. "The fastball just continues to improve and a ton of life on it."

Right-hander Chris Paddack (0-0, 4.15 ERA) draws the starting assignment for Minnesota. He hasn't completed five innings in either start this season, but the Twins won both of those games.

Baldelli said Camden Yards can be challenging for right-handed pitchers. Paddack has surrendered one home run in both starts.

He has notched victories with a 1.69 ERA in his only two career outings against the Orioles. In both 2019 with San Diego and in 2022 with Minnesota, he gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings.

Minnesota third baseman Jose Miranda homered and provided an RBI single Monday. He had three hits for his first multi-hit outing of 2024 after spending the first week of the season in the minor leagues.

"It takes some good swings, some good adjustments," Baldelli said. "Confidence is an amazing thing."