You did it, Birdland!

The wait is finally over.

Come Thursday afternoon, the Baltimore Orioles will open their season at the newly renovated Camden Yards hosting the Minnesota Twins.

Let’s take a closer look at the team’s opening series!

Overview

Baltimore will kick off its highly anticipated 2026 season at 3:05 p.m. on Thursday, debuting several stadium upgrades including a larger scoreboard, revamped club-level bars, new premium seating areas, and more. The new and improved Camden Yards will welcome the Twins, who, like the O’s, are looking to rebound after a lackluster 2025 season. Minnesota finished last year with a 70-92 record, placing fourth in the AL Central. They are searching for their second playoff appearance in the past six seasons.

As was announced by Manager Craig Albernaz a little over a week ago, left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers will take the mound for the Birds’ opener. Rogers is looking to continue the dominance that earned him last season’s Most Valuable Oriole award.

He will face off against Minnesota’s ace, right-hander Joe Ryan. The 29-year-old finished last season with a 3.42 ERA, 10th among qualified American League starters. Ryan has an 0-1 record and 4.50 ERA in three career appearances against the Orioles.

Following Rogers, right-hander Kyle Bradish will be on the bump for the second game of the series. Widely regarded as Baltimore’s second ace, Bradish is looking to start the new campaign on a high note after injuries plagued his previous two seasons. The 29-year-old tossed a 2.53 ERA in six starts for the O’s last year.

Opposite Bradish will be Minnesota’s Taj Bradley. Acquired in a deadline deal from the Tampa Bay Rays last season, the 25-year-old righty had a shaky season to say the least. Bradley posted a 5.05 ERA and 1.311 WHIP in 27 starts for the two organizations. In seven appearances against the Orioles over the last three seasons, he’s recorded a 7.03 ERA.

Newly acquired right-hander Shane Baz will close out the series for the Birds on Sunday. Baz, 26, tossed 166.1 innings for Tampa Bay a season ago, posting a 4.87 ERA and striking out 176 batters. The AL East veteran reportedly added a two-seam fastball to his arsenal over the offseason.

He is matched with Twins’ right-handed arm Bailey Ober, another Minnesota starter that struggled in 2025. Ober, 30, pitched a 5.10 ERA in 27 starts for the Twins, allowing a .275 batting average to opponents. In his first start for the team a year ago, Ober allowed eight runs in 2 ⅔ innings, something Baltimore hopes to replicate on Sunday.

Birds to Watch

Pete Alonso, 1B

General Manager Mike Elias’ free agency splash at first base will be making his Orioles debut on Thursday.

In his career against Minnesota’s three series starters, Pete Alonso is 4-for-7 with two home runs and three RBIs.

The 31-year-old first baseman posted a National League-leading 41 doubles, played in all 162 games, and notched his fifth All-Star appearance in his final season with the New York Mets.

Safe to say Alonso will have all eyes on him when he reaches the plate at Camden Yards.

Tyler O’Neill, OF/DH

Tyler O’Neill has belted a home run in six consecutive Opening Days.

Can he make it seven?

Beyond the first game, O’Neill performs particularly well in a team’s opening series. The veteran outfielder is batting .288 with seven homers and 18 RBIs in his last six opening series. More recently, O’Neill is 8-for-20 with three long shots in his last two.

After an injury-riddled slump that was 2025, he is looking to continue his career trend of starting seasons hot.

Ryan Helsley, RHP

Baltimore added a new closer to the roster over the offseason, signing former Mets right-hander Ryan Helsley to a two-year contract. After being discarded by the St. Louis Cardinals in a mid-season trade, the 31-year-old reliever struggled to find his footing in New York.

He posted a 7.20 ERA across 22 relief appearances for the team, though he did not allow a single run in his last six of the season.

After standout closer Felix Bautista was forced to have Tommy John surgery in 2023, Baltimore has struggled to find a replacement. It will be interesting to see if Helsley can build off his strong finish to the 2025 season and reclaim stability to the back end of the O’s bullpen.

Keys to the Series

Get to Minnesota’s bullpen early

Ryan, Minnesota’s Opening Day starter, dealt with back issues that affected his spring training, but after tossing five innings in his last spring start, he was given the nod to start the year for the Twins. Should the Orioles force a high pitch count, they could get to the bullpen rather quickly. Similarly, taking advantage of the rest of Minnesota’s starting struggles could net the same result.

Keep Buxton in check

O’s fans should know Twins outfielder Byron Buxton fairly well. In Minnesota’s six-game sweep of the Orioles within ten days last May, Buxton went 8-for-19 (.421), raked three home runs, and drove in eight runs. Baltimore’s series starters have limited experience against the right-handed outfielder with Bradish the only to face him in his career. Limiting Minnesota’s 2025 home run leader will be necessary for victory.

Capitalize with RISP

Efficiency with runners in scoring position was a constant issue for the Orioles a season ago. The team ranked 27th in team batting average with runners in scoring position (.234). They lived and died by the long ball, and last year, they died. With new faces in the lineup, ensuring that runners on second and third cross home plate will be essential in taking an opening series victory.