Sep 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (48) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory BALTIMORE—Kyle Gibson will start for the Orioles on Tuesday night against the New York Yankees. Manager Brandon Hyde said that Gibson’s back was feeling better. He hasn’t pitched since April 20th when he threw five innings, allowing two runs on one hit for High-A Aberdeen. “I hope he can bring a lot of things,” Hyde said. “I know one thing. He’s going to compete every single time out. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around in a clubhouse. “He pitched really well for us a couple of years ago and had a nice year for St. Louis last year. He kept us in the game more times than not two years ago, and was absolutely fantastic. I hope we get that version.” Gibson was 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 starts for the Orioles in 2023. He allowed one run on three hits in three innings in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. “I know we’re going to get an unbelievable person and a real leader,” Hyde said. “An adult in the room, which I think is really great.” The Orioles signed Gibson to a one-year, $5.25 million contract on March 21st. Before pitching for the IronBirds, he threw two starts for Triple-A Norfolk. “When I told some of the guys we were signing him, they were pumped up. A lot of guys were really excited that he was going to join us,” Hyde said. When Hyde was asked if the Orioles needed the off field qualities Gibson brought, he said: “I just think we need to play better baseball. It’s been hard. We have a lot of talent. We have a lot of guys I think are really close to playing well. That’s been tough. There are a lot of guys who have done a lot of good things in this game who are on that [injured] list. “Hopefully, they’ll be back soon. I just want to see them play good baseball.” Medical updates: Kyle Bradish, who underwent Tommy John surgery last June, threw a bullpen. Zach Eflin, who’s on the injured list with a right lat injury, will throw a bullpen on Tuesday. Tyler Wells, who had elbow surgery last June, has a scheduled bullpen on Friday. Reliever Andrew Kittredge, who is recovering from left knee surgery, will throw live batting practice on Wednesday. Infielder Jordan Westburg has hamstring soreness, and he’s day-to-day. “As of right now, we’re still doing some tests on him,” Hyde said. ”He’s getting checked out. I’m staying optimistic and hopeful.” Infielder Emmanuel Rivera is on the taxi squad in case the Orioles want to make a move with Westburg. Catcher Adley Rutschman is back in the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with a bruised hand. Outfielder Colton Cowser, who has a fractured left thumb, hasn’t resumed baseball activities, but is improving, Hyde said. Notes: The Orioles optioned left-hander Grant Wolfram to Norfolk and recalled right-hander Kade Strowd from the Tides. Wolfram allowed two runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings in two appearances. Strowd is 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA in eight games for Norfolk. …Former Orioles front office executive Scott Proefrock was named interim general manager of the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds. Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.
For the first time since August 21st, the Orioles have an offday at home on Monday. When they resume play on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, they’ll be 2 ½ games ahead of the second-place Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East with a magic number of three.
Any combination of Orioles wins and Rays losses equaling three gives the Orioles the American League East. In the unlikely event that they don’t win the East, the Orioles would play a best two-of-three wild-card series beginning on October 3rd.
Even with consecutive strong starts from Kyle Gibson and John Means, the Orioles’ bullpen is still overworked, and another six- or seven-inning start from Kyle Bradish on Tuesday night would be welcomed.
When the Orioles clinch the AL East, which could come as early as Wednesday, they’ll guarantee themselves five days off because the Division Series doesn’t begin until October 7th.
The Orioles have six games remaining—two with the Nationals on Tuesday and Wednesday, and four against Boston from Thursday through Sunday. The Rays have five games, two with Boston on Tuesday and Wednesday with an offday Thursday, and three at Toronto.
Assuming they win the East, the Orioles will watch the wild-card series between Tampa Bay and, as it stands now, Toronto. They’d play home games against the winner in a best-of-five series on October 7th and 8th, play on the road October 10th, and if necessary, the 11th. A decisive fifth game would be held in Baltimore on October 13th.
The Orioles would host the American League Championship Series, which is a best-of-seven, beginning October 15th.
The World Series begins on October 27th. The team with the best record hosts Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, 6 and 7.
Even if the Orioles clinch the East by Wednesday or Thursday, there’s still much to play for. The Orioles’ record of 97-59 is three games worse than Atlanta’s 100-56.
If the Orioles could somehow finish with a better record — and the Braves hold the tiebreaker because they beat the Orioles in two of three games at Atlanta in May — they would have home-field advantage in the Series.
That’s also true for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who took two of three from the Orioles in Baltimore in July. The Dodgers, the National League West champs, have a 96-59 record, a half-game worse than the Orioles.
The Orioles would have home-field advantage against any other National League opponent.
Besides sewing up the East, this week is important for Oriole starting pitchers. Manager Brandon Hyde must choose his rotation for the Division Series and one pitcher from the current starting staff will be excluded and likely sent to the bullpen.
Bradish has been the most consistent starter and Rodriguez has pitched well recently. He’s 3-1 with a 1.84 ERA in his last five starts.
Gibson, who allowed a run on five hits in seven-plus innings on Sunday, gives the Orioles postseason experience, and Means, who held Cleveland hitless for 6 2/3 innings and allowed one hit in 7 1/3 on Saturday, gives the Orioles a left-handed starter.
Dean Kremer, who’ll likely start Thursday, has a 4.67 ERA in four September starts that have lasted on average just over four innings and needs a strong outing in his final regular-season start.
Each of the five starters will get a start this week. Bradish could get a second one if the Orioles need Game 162 on Sunday to determine the East.
This week will also be important for the bullpen. It’s still unclear if closer Félix Bautista, who has an elbow injury, will return. He’s been throwing regularly in the bullpen and the Orioles haven’t provided any information about their plans for him.
If they plan to activate Bautista for the Division Series, they’ll have to drop a pitcher and one of the starters could go to the bullpen. Jorge López, who was acquired on September 2nd, is not eligible to pitch in the postseason.
On the position player side, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle remains on the 10-day injured list and while he’s eligible to play on Wednesday, his return seems doubtful. An early clinching would give Mountcastle 10 additional days for his sore left shoulder to heal.
Mountcastle’s reinstatement would mean a current position player leaves. Outfielder Ryan McKenna replaced him on the active roster, Teams can carry just 26 players and a maximum of 13 pitchers in the postseason, down from the 28 players and 14 pitches they’re carrying this month.
The Orioles could opt for 12 pitchers and 14 position players, but with Hyde’s liberal use of the bullpen, that’s not likely to happen.
The Orioles could use Mountcastle’s power. They haven’t hit a home run in the last five games, their longest drought since an eight-game homerless streak in April 2022.
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