Welcome to Saturday night baseball, where two postseason hopefuls are facing off. I’m not saying these teams are all that similar, but they are both postseason hopefuls. I guess the Rays are more than hopeful, but you never know what could happen.
After batting Pete Alonso first last night, tonight it’s Tyler O’Neill’s turn. I thought the Alonso decision was a little wacky but not bad. But batting O’Neill first feels bananas. Sure, he’s been better lately. And sure, he has been hitting lefties. But still. It is W-E-I-R-D. Best of luck to our newest musclebound leadoff guy!
Gunnar Henderson moved to fifth in the order last night and had four hits, including a home run and a double. He’s back there again tonight. Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers are on the bench vs the lefty starter. Maybe they’ll knock out the starter early and see one or both of them as pinch hitters. No offense, Christian Franklin. Because the bottom third of the lineup is something you’d see on a playoff team.
Kyle Bradish is on the mound for the Birds. He is coming off a six-inning, two-run (one earned) game against the Rangers, but took the loss. The Orioles should score more than one run for him this time. Just a suggestion!
Ian Seymour is scheduled to start for the Rays. He has a 4.08 ERA but has only been functioning as a starter (sometimes with an opener) since June 8th. Since then, his ERA is 3.49. Only the Rays could take a mediocre relief pitcher and turn him into a serviceable starter. I don’t know much about him; let’s keep it that way.
Scoreboard watching:
The Orioles are still four games under .500 and tied for last place in the AL East. They’re also just 1/2 game out of the final Wild Card spot. Today’s version of the WC standings is the most bonkers yet. The Yankees and Red Sox remain comfortably above the pack for the top two slots. Meanwhile, the Twins, Rangers, and Tigers are all tied for the final spot at 60-63. The Orioles and Blue Jays sit 1/2 game back and the Guardians are one game back.
If the Orioles win tonight and the Twins and Rangers lose, the Orioles will be TIED for the final WC spot with the Tigers (who already lost today) and the Blue Jays (who are winning as I write this). THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Whatever team ends up getting that last WC spot will be the worst team to make the postseason in years. They will probably be under .500. Someone’s gotta be that team. Why not the Orioles?
- White Sox 4, Tigers 3 – F
- Blue Jays 2, Yankees 1 – Bot 8 (5:35 pm)
- Twins vs Phillies, 7:10
- Guardians vs Padres, 7:10
- Rangers @ A’s, 9:40
Orioles lineup
Tyler O’Neill (R) RF
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Jackson Holliday (L) 2B
Coby Mayo (R) DH
Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R) 3B
Christian Franklin (R) LF
Leody Taveras (S) CF
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Rays lineup
Yandy Díaz (R) DH
Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B
Junior Caminero (R) 3B
Liam Hicks (L) C
Chandler Simpson (L) LF
Jonny DeLuca (R) RF
Cedric Mullins (L) CF
Richie Palacios (L) 2B
Taylor Walls (S) SS
Let’s go O’s!