The Minnesota Twins host the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field on Wednesday, August 12, with first pitch set for 1:40 PM ET. Zebby Matthews gets the ball for Minnesota, squaring off against former top prospect Shane Baz in a midweek afternoon matchup that carries real weight in the second half of the 2026 regular season. Twins fans can catch the action on Twins.TV Presented by Progressive or listen along on WCCO 830 AM and The Wolf 102.9 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Zebby Matthews vs. Shane Baz

Zebby Matthews gets the start for the Twins, continuing to build on a season where the young right-hander has been asked to carry meaningful innings for Minnesota's rotation. Matthews is one of the more intriguing arms in the organization, and what he does in starts like this one — against a legitimate opponent in a game with standings implications — will define how he's viewed heading into the final stretch of the season.

On the other side, Baltimore sends Shane Baz to the mound. Baz, who came up through the Tampa Bay system as a highly regarded prospect, now brings his arm to Target Field wearing Orioles colors. He's capable of going deep into games when his stuff is working, so the Twins lineup will need to be patient and make him work early.

Minnesota Twins Starting Lineup

• 1. Trevor Larnach — LF
• 2. Royce Lewis — 1B
• 3. Josh Bell — DH
• 4. Kody Clemens — 2B
• 5. Brooks Lee — 3B
• 6. Luke Keaschall — CF
• 7. Victor Caratini — C
• 8. Alan Roden — RF
• 9. Ryan Kreidler — SS

Keys to Watch

Royce Lewis Hitting Second

Royce Lewis sliding into the two-hole at first base is worth noting. His presence in that spot in the lineup gives the Twins a serious middle-of-the-order threat right behind Larnach's leadoff spot. How Lewis handles Baz's arsenal early in the game could set the tone for Minnesota's offense.

Brooks Lee Continuing to Establish Himself

Brooks Lee at third base batting fifth is a spot the Twins need him to own. The former first-round pick has talent that's not in question — what matters now is consistency against quality pitching. Baz will test him, and Lee's performance here matters.

Luke Keaschall in Center Field

Luke Keaschall drawing the start in center field and hitting sixth gives Minnesota a look at one of its younger contributors in a meaningful spot. His plate discipline and range in the outfield will both be worth monitoring in this one.

Matthews' Command and Pitch Mix

For Matthews to keep Baltimore's lineup in check, he'll need to mix his pitches effectively and avoid falling behind in counts. The Orioles can make a pitcher pay in a hurry when they get into hitter's counts, so first-pitch strikes will be critical.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Minnesota at home. The Twins lineup has enough pieces to make Baz uncomfortable, particularly if Royce Lewis and Josh Bell get into a rhythm in the middle of the order. Matthews will need to give the club five or six quality innings to keep the bullpen fresh. Give the edge to the Twins in a close one, 4-2, with Target Field providing the afternoon atmosphere that makes August baseball in Minneapolis feel exactly right.