Orioles on deck: What to watch Tuesday at Twins

Orioles (18-12) vs. Minnesota Twins (14-17)

Where: Target Field

First pitch: 8:10 p.m.

TV/Radio: MASN2/105.7 The Fan

Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 1.42 ERA) vs. Twins RHP Jose Berrios (1-1, 6.75 ERA)

What to watch

1. Gaus the man. After making a small step forward in his second start of the season, Kevin Gausman took a giant leap in his third. Gausman enters tonight's start coming off the best outing of his career: eight scoreless three-hit innings with four strikeouts and three walks on May 5. It was the longest start of Gausman's career and perhaps the first true glimpse of the kind of pitcher the Orioles hope he can be. Can he have another strong showing tonight against the Twins?

2. Machad-O. Manny Machado had hits in each of the Orioles' first 16 games this year, then went without a knock in four straight games and is now even hotter than before. Machado is batting .400/.455/.800 with seven doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs over the past 10 games. He has seven multi-hit efforts during that time and all of his RBIs came in two games, first a five-RBI performance on April 28 and then a career-best six-RBI outburst Sunday. Can he help the Orioles offense continue to heat up in Minnesota?

3. Twin City trouble. The Orioles have lost their past five games at Target Field and had lost eight straight overall to the Twins before starting this season with a sweep at Camden Yards. Can the Birds continue their recent quality play and shake their troubles in Minneapolis?

Orioles lineup

LF Joey Rickard
SS Manny Machado
CF Adam Jones
1B Chris Davis
RF Mark Trumbo
C Matt Wieters
DH Pedro Alvarez
2B Jonathan Schoop
3B Ryan Flaherty