3 takeaways from the Orioles series win over the Twins

The Orioles started the season off on a good note with a series win over the Minnesota Twins. They needed an 8-6 comeback win on Sunday to complete the series win in a game that saw the MLB’s first ejection due to the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System.Twins’ manager Derek Shelton was kicked out after complaining to the umpires after he felt that Orioles pitcher Ryan Helsley did not call for the challenge early enough after the call. His frustration may have boiled over after the Orioles successfully overturned a pair of pitches in the ninth inning that were key to the Orioles’ victory.For Orioles manager Craig Albernaz, it was a successful weekend to start his managerial career. The Orioles had four successful challenges during Sunday’s win, including the two big ones in the ninth inning.”I think the guys really used the challenges well today, even Helsley, that was a weird one because Helsley didn’t know a ball was called until after,” Albernaz said. The comeback was reminiscent of 2023 and could be a good sign of this team’s resiliency. Here are three storylines that developed from the opening series. 1. The offense is a work in progressThe Orioles only scored three runs in the first two games, and many were concerned about the offense before they scored eight runs on Sunday. They have scored the fourth fewest runs in the American League so far and will need to show some improvement next series. The lineup is the strength of this team, even with injuries suffered during spring training. Outfielder Taylor Ward has struggled at the lead-off spot with only one hit so far, but has shown patience at the top of the order with three walks. The Orioles have also struggled with power, only hitting one home run in three games. That came in Sunday’s game as outfielder Tyler O’Niell had a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Pete Alonso has three hits, but they have all been singles, while, despite a hot World Baseball Classic, Gunnar Henderson has struggled with only one hit so far. He and Alonso are in the heart of the order and will need to find their swing for the Orioles offense to perform as expected.2. Defensive issuesOne area that this year’s team did not improve is defensively. This can be seen as they have had an error in each game so far, and could have been credited for more. In the outfield, O’Neill had a dropped catch in the opening game, Ward had issues playing a ball off the wall that led to a triple for the Twins, and Beavers lost a ball in the sun while playing center field during Sunday’s win. Ward is adjusting to left field in Baltimore and made up for his miscue with a great diving catch in the ninth inning to help secure the series win on Sunday. One of the bigger surprises is the lack of defensive issues from Coby Mayo at third base. He has been solid so far this season, including an incredible double play to close out the victory on Opening Day. 3. Concern about Tyler Wells in bullpenOne of the more concerning performances over the weekend came from relief pitcher Tyler Wells. The former starter is converting to a full-time reliever this year, and it has not been pretty. He has a 10.80 earned run average after giving up a run in each of his appearances. and could be an issue if they continue to use him in high-leverage situations. The adjustment from starter to reliever can be tough, but Wells has done it before, and it is still early in the season, so too early to panic about two outings. The bullpen could turn back to Yennier Cano as a set-up man, as he looked good during spring and has not given up a run in two games this year. Wells’ role will change when the Orioles get Andrew Kittredge back from the injured list in a few weeks, but if his performance starts to cost us games, then Albernaz may need to turn to another option in the bullpen.

BALTIMORE —

The Orioles started the season off on a good note with a series win over the Minnesota Twins. They needed an 8-6 comeback win on Sunday to complete the series win in a game that saw the MLB’s first ejection due to the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System.

Twins’ manager Derek Shelton was kicked out after complaining to the umpires after he felt that Orioles pitcher Ryan Helsley did not call for the challenge early enough after the call. His frustration may have boiled over after the Orioles successfully overturned a pair of pitches in the ninth inning that were key to the Orioles’ victory.

For Orioles manager Craig Albernaz, it was a successful weekend to start his managerial career. The Orioles had four successful challenges during Sunday’s win, including the two big ones in the ninth inning.

“I think the guys really used the challenges well today, even Helsley, that was a weird one because Helsley didn’t know a ball was called until after,” Albernaz said.

The comeback was reminiscent of 2023 and could be a good sign of this team’s resiliency. Here are three storylines that developed from the opening series.

1. The offense is a work in progress

The Orioles only scored three runs in the first two games, and many were concerned about the offense before they scored eight runs on Sunday. They have scored the fourth fewest runs in the American League so far and will need to show some improvement next series. The lineup is the strength of this team, even with injuries suffered during spring training.

Outfielder Taylor Ward has struggled at the lead-off spot with only one hit so far, but has shown patience at the top of the order with three walks. The Orioles have also struggled with power, only hitting one home run in three games. That came in Sunday’s game as outfielder Tyler O’Niell had a three-run home run in the fourth inning.

Pete Alonso has three hits, but they have all been singles, while, despite a hot World Baseball Classic, Gunnar Henderson has struggled with only one hit so far. He and Alonso are in the heart of the order and will need to find their swing for the Orioles offense to perform as expected.

2. Defensive issues

One area that this year’s team did not improve is defensively. This can be seen as they have had an error in each game so far, and could have been credited for more. In the outfield, O’Neill had a dropped catch in the opening game, Ward had issues playing a ball off the wall that led to a triple for the Twins, and Beavers lost a ball in the sun while playing center field during Sunday’s win.

Ward is adjusting to left field in Baltimore and made up for his miscue with a great diving catch in the ninth inning to help secure the series win on Sunday. One of the bigger surprises is the lack of defensive issues from Coby Mayo at third base. He has been solid so far this season, including an incredible double play to close out the victory on Opening Day.

3. Concern about Tyler Wells in bullpen

One of the more concerning performances over the weekend came from relief pitcher Tyler Wells. The former starter is converting to a full-time reliever this year, and it has not been pretty. He has a 10.80 earned run average after giving up a run in each of his appearances. and could be an issue if they continue to use him in high-leverage situations.

The adjustment from starter to reliever can be tough, but Wells has done it before, and it is still early in the season, so too early to panic about two outings. The bullpen could turn back to Yennier Cano as a set-up man, as he looked good during spring and has not given up a run in two games this year.

Wells’ role will change when the Orioles get Andrew Kittredge back from the injured list in a few weeks, but if his performance starts to cost us games, then Albernaz may need to turn to another option in the bullpen.

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