The 2026 MLB Spring Training is officially underway.
Tomorrow morning, the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles will face off on the Grapefruit League stage.
Both teams are looking to move past the disappointments of the 2025 season and pursue new changes.
Baltimore, in particular, has made significant acquisitions including Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Shane Baz, drawing attention as they aim for a bounce-back season.
Minnesota is also dreaming of a postseason return, led by a strong starting rotation featuring Joe Ryan and Pablo López.
Let's take a look at what to expect from this first Spring Training matchup.
Game Overview
| Category | Details |
| Event | 2026 MLB Spring Training (Grapefruit League) |
| Date & Time | February 25, 2026 (Tue) 03:05 KST / February 24 (Mon) 13:05 ET |
| Venue | Hammond Stadium (Fort Myers, Florida) |
| Home Team | Minnesota Twins |
| Away Team | Baltimore Orioles |
This game will be held at the Minnesota Twins' Spring Training home field located in Fort Myers, Florida.
As this is an early Spring Training game, both teams are expected to focus on getting their regular players back into game shape and evaluating rookies and non-roster invitees.
Unlike the regular season, Spring Training allows free substitutions during games, so we can expect to see various player combinations being tested.
Team Analysis
Minnesota Twins - Between Rebuilding and Contending
The Minnesota Twins' 2025 season was nothing but disappointing.
They executed a massive midseason trade, essentially declaring a fire sale.
Key players including Willi Castro, Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Carlos Correa all departed the team.
The offseason saw only modest additions such as Josh Bell (1 year, $7 million), Victor Caratini, and Taylor Rogers.
The Athletic even named Minnesota as one of the biggest losers of this offseason.
However, there is still hope.
Their farm system ranks second overall according to MLB.com, and if their starting rotation stays healthy, they can certainly be competitive.
That said, there are areas of concern.
Ace Pablo López suffered a season-ending injury during the first full-squad workout of Spring Training, and Joe Ryan also had his first exhibition game start canceled, raising red flags for the rotation.
Fortunately, Ryan's MRI results showed no significant issues, and he remains on track to start on Opening Day.
At shortstop, Brooks Lee must fill the void left by Carlos Correa's departure, and his growth is crucial after hitting just .236 last season.
Baltimore Orioles - Declaring a Bounce-Back with Major Acquisitions
The Baltimore Orioles' 2025 season was nothing short of shocking.
After posting 101 wins in 2024 and reigning as the AL East's top team, they plummeted to last place in the division with a 75-87 record in 2025.
A reversal of 26 games was a rare collapse even by franchise standards.
However, the Orioles responded with aggressive offseason acquisitions.
The most notable signing is undoubtedly Pete Alonso.
After spending seven seasons with the New York Mets, Alonso signed a massive 5-year, $155 million contract.
The five-time All-Star, who hit .272 with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs, and an .871 OPS in 2025, is set to become the cornerstone of Baltimore's lineup.
Additionally, they acquired starting pitcher Shane Baz from Tampa Bay via trade, outfielder Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels, and signed closer Ryan Helsley (2 years, $28 million), significantly bolstering their roster.
However, injury concerns are a nagging issue.
Second baseman Jackson Holliday underwent surgery for a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, making him unavailable for all of Spring Training and the early part of the regular season.
Third baseman Jordan Westburg was also diagnosed with a partial UCL tear, raising significant concerns.
How new manager Craig Albernaz will replace these injured players during his first Spring Training is a matter of great interest.
Season Record Comparison
| Category | Minnesota Twins | Baltimore Orioles |
| 2024 Season | 82-80 | 101-61 |
| 2025 Season | Mid-tier | 75-87 |
| Offseason Strategy | Low-cost internal development | Large-scale aggressive acquisitions |
| 2026 Outlook | Projected 78-84 wins | Postseason contender |
Head-to-Head Record
| Season | Minnesota | Baltimore | Notes |
| 2024 | 0 wins | 6 wins | Baltimore swept |
| 2025 | 6 wins | 0 wins | Minnesota swept |
| All-time (1993~) | 94 wins | 86 wins | Minnesota leads |
Interestingly, the head-to-head record between these two teams has swung from one extreme to the other.
In 2024, Baltimore completely dominated with a 6-0 record, but in 2025, Minnesota returned the favor with a perfect 6-0 record of their own.
We may get an early glimpse of which team will have the upper hand in 2026, starting with this Spring Training matchup.
Starting Rotation Comparison
| Slot | Minnesota Twins | Baltimore Orioles |
| No. 1 | Joe Ryan | Kyle Bradish |
| No. 2 | Bailey Ober | Trevor Rogers |
| No. 3 | Taji Bradley | Chris Bassitt |
| No. 4 | Simeon Woods Richardson | Shane Baz |
| No. 5 | In competition (Matthews/Festa/Abel) | Zach Eflin / Dean Kremer |
Since it is early in Spring Training, both teams are likely to send pitchers to the mound who differ from their regular season rotation.
With Pablo López out for the season, Minnesota has Zebby Matthews, David Festa, and Mick Abel competing fiercely for the fifth starter spot.
Baltimore is reportedly considering a six-man rotation, with Eflin and Kremer competing for the final spot.
Appearances by prospects and non-roster pitchers are also fully expected in this exhibition game.
Key Players
Minnesota Twins
Byron Buxton - Center Fielder
Minnesota's star outfielder Byron Buxton is expected to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic during this Spring Training, so he may miss part of camp.
In the 2025 season, he recorded the first cycle in Target Field history, proving that his explosiveness when healthy remains elite.
Having also hit back-to-back home runs against Baltimore, whether he appears in this exhibition game is worth watching.
Brooks Lee - Shortstop
Brooks Lee, who inherited the shortstop position after Carlos Correa's departure, is one of the most closely watched players this Spring Training.
After posting a disappointing .236 batting average and .655 OPS in the 2025 season, his recovery at the plate this Spring Training is a key variable for Minnesota's season outlook.
FanGraphs ranks Minnesota dead last among all 30 teams in projected shortstop WAR, making Lee's breakout all the more critical.
Baltimore Orioles
Gunnar Henderson - Shortstop
Baltimore's core shortstop Gunnar Henderson faces the challenge of returning to MLB's top 10 players.
After an explosive 2024 season that earned him an All-Star selection, he slumped somewhat in 2025 along with the team's overall decline.
Whether Henderson can recapture his previous form during this Spring Training is the biggest storyline for Baltimore fans.
Pete Alonso - First Baseman
This offseason's biggest free agent signing, Pete Alonso, begins his debut season in Baltimore.
Alonso must deliver performance worthy of his massive 5-year, $155 million contract, bringing his 2025 power numbers of 38 home runs and 126 RBIs to the Baltimore lineup.
His first impression during Spring Training could set the tone for expectations throughout the entire season, with fans and the front office alike watching his every move.
Key Matchup Points
1. Baltimore's New Acquisitions in Their First Game Action
This could be the first game where Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, and other new additions take the field in a Baltimore uniform.
Alonso's first at-bat, in particular, will be one of the highlights of this Spring Training.
It will be a great opportunity to observe the early adaptation process, including chemistry with new teammates and comfort at the plate.
2. Minnesota's Fifth Starter Competition
Facing the major setback of Pablo López's season-ending injury, Minnesota is expected to see fierce competition for the fifth starter spot starting with this exhibition game.
Prospects such as Zebby Matthews, David Festa, Mick Abel, and Connor Prielipp will share innings to prove their worth.
We may get hints about who will win this competition starting from this game.
3. Injury Replacement Plans for Both Teams
For Minnesota, shortstop Brooks Lee's in-game performance as Correa's replacement is a key storyline, while for Baltimore, the infield reshuffling due to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg's injuries is a central focus.
Baltimore is expected to have Blaze Alexander take over at second base and will need to find an alternative at third, testing various combinations from the start of Spring Training.
What to Watch For
In early Spring Training games, the process matters more than the result.
Keeping the following points in mind while watching will make the game even more enjoyable.
| What to Watch | Details |
| Pete Alonso's Debut | First at-bat in a Baltimore uniform, batting feel and team atmosphere |
| Prospect Pitchers | Evaluating both teams' prospect pitchers' stuff and command |
| Infield Reshuffling | Minnesota's Brooks Lee and Baltimore's Blaze Alexander on defense |
| New Manager's Approach | Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz's player deployment strategy |
| Pre-WBC Starter Conditions | Checking on condition of WBC-bound players like Buxton |
Prediction
Predicting the outcome of an early Spring Training game holds little significance.
Both teams prioritize player evaluation and conditioning over winning.
However, in terms of overall talent, Baltimore holds the edge in roster depth following their aggressive offseason acquisitions.
If star players like Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, and Adley Rutschman are deployed early in game action, Baltimore will likely have the advantage in firepower.
On the other hand, if Minnesota's starting pitching led by Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober is healthy and in form, they can be competitive on the mound.
Spring Training is a stage for the process, not the results.
With both teams looking to move past the disappointments of 2025 and declare a fresh start, focusing on the players' condition and each team's direction rather than the final score is the right way to enjoy this game.
After the dramatic head-to-head records of 6-0 in 2024 and 0-6 in 2025, the first chapter of how the 2026 rivalry will unfold begins here.