Orioles power into playoffs on HRs by McCann, Kjerstad for 6-2 win to finish sweep of Twins

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – James McCann launched three home runs, and Heston Kjerstad added another as the Baltimore Orioles clinched a playoff spot with a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins, completing a three-game sweep on Sunday.

Albert Suárez (9-7) delivered six solid innings, allowing two solo home runs to Carlos Santana and rookie DaShawn Keirsey Jr. He finished the game with four hits, one walk, and four strikeouts, wrapping up a challenging September on a high note.

Jordan Westburg contributed a two-run single, helping the Orioles finish the season with a 91-71 record, securing one of three American League wild-card spots. They will face the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the playoffs, looking to break an eight-game postseason losing streak that began after being swept by the Royals in the 2014 ALCS.

After a stellar 101-61 season last year, the Orioles faced disappointment in the division series against a powerful Texas team that eventually won the World Series. A series of injuries contributed to a 10-game drop in their win total this season. However, a talented lineup featuring young stars like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Westburg offers hope for a championship run this fall.

The Orioles finished the season with 235 home runs, just two shy of the Yankees, who led the majors.

The Twins ended their season with an 82-80 record, faltering in the final stretch by losing 27 of their last 39 games. Last year, they had a successful 87-75 campaign, winning the AL Central and reaching the division series.

This marks the Orioles’ second consecutive postseason appearance, their first since the Mike Mussina era in 1996-97. They achieved 90 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1982-83, with their last World Series title dating back to 1983.

Suárez, who posted a 3.70 ERA over a career-high 133 2/3 innings, is unlikely to be ready for the wild-card series and may not make the roster for the first round. However, he will be a key asset if the team advances.

Twins starter Bailey Ober (12-9) struggled, allowing three runs in five innings, finishing 0-3 in his last nine starts despite a strong season overall with a 3.98 ERA over 31 starts.

Looking ahead, the Orioles will host their best-of-three wild-card series as the No. 4 seed, starting Tuesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. RHP Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA) is slated to pitch Game 1 for the Orioles, while LHP Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA) will take the mound for the Royals.

Meanwhile, the Twins will kick off their 2025 season with a spring training game against Atlanta on February 22, followed by their regular-season opener on March 27 at St. Louis, and their home opener against Houston on April 3.