Baz Shines in Orioles Debut; Mountcastle Anchors First Base
Shane Baz signed a five-year, $68 million extension and will make his first official start for the Orioles. He previously started once against the Twins on June 11, 2022, allowing five runs in 2 1/3 innings.
Baz has three career starts at Camden Yards. He allowed one earned run and four hits across 16 innings there.
Recent form and club debut context
Baz last appeared in Baltimore on Sept. 24, 2025. He threw four scoreless, hitless innings in that outing with the Rays.
Baz Shines in Orioles Debut has become a talking point among fans after the extension. Expectations are high for his first official start.
Lineup changes and Mountcastle start
Ryan Mountcastle will start at first base and bat cleanup today. Mountcastle Anchors First Base reads well on the lineup card.
His pinch-hit single yesterday extended a franchise-record hitting streak against the Twins to 18 games. As a pinch-hitter, he is now 10-for-25 (.400). He also has two doubles, three RBIs and three walks in that role.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| LF | Taylor Ward |
| SS | Gunnar Henderson |
| DH | Pete Alonso |
| 1B | Ryan Mountcastle |
| C | Samuel Basallo |
| RF | Tyler O’Neill |
| 3B | Coby Mayo |
| CF | Dylan Beavers |
| 2B | Jeremiah Jackson |
| SP | Shane Baz |
Other roster moves
Dylan Beavers starts in center field, replacing Colton Cowser. Samuel Basallo catches instead of Adley Rutschan.
Jeremiah Jackson gets another start at second base. Blaze Alexander is available on the bench.
Early-season trends and matchup notes
The Orioles have recorded five hits or fewer in each of the first two games. It is the first time that has happened to them to start a season since 2018.
Twins right-hander Bailey Ober owns a 2.60 ERA in five career starts versus the Orioles. In two Camden Yards starts, Ober allowed three runs and four hits in 11 2/3 innings.
Gunnar Henderson’s stretch
Henderson is 2-for-13 with a homer against Ober. He is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in the first two games this season.
Yesterday he flied out with the bases loaded and reacted by slamming his bat. He also took a pitch off his hand in the game.
Manager Craig Albernaz praised Henderson’s emotion and competitive drive. He emphasized that the shortstop still brings focus late in games.
Filmogaz.com will monitor Baz’s debut and the Orioles’ lineup adjustments as the season continues. The club heads into the matchup with questions and opportunity.
