Cowser on his 1st Orioles’ playoff run: ‘It’s a different kind of pressure’

BALTIMORE—Colton Cowser got the Orioles’ first hit in Tuesday’s Game 1. It was a good start in his first postseason game.

“I think that going into the game just wasn’t really knowing what to expect nerves-wise or anything like that,” Cowser said. “I think just getting out there and being able to get a knock pretty early on was a comforting feeling. Looking forward to bringing that into today.”

Cowser batted sixth against left-hander Cole Ragans and is batting fourth against right-hander Seth Lugo in Wednesday’s game 2 as manager Brandon Hyde has five left-handed hitters in the first six spots.

Because it’s a best-of-three series, it’s the first elimination game for Cowser.

“Very confident. I have all the faith in the world in this team,” Cowser said. “I think yesterday it was just one of those days. I think our guys, we’re really confident, really comfortable, and we’re looking forward to bouncing back.”

The Orioles didn’t appear comfortable on offense, going just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and chasing pitches outside the strike zone.

Cowser, who is one of the favorites for American League Rookie of the Year, hit .242 with a .768 OPS, 24 home runs and 69 RBIs. He realizes there is a difference between the 162-game regular season and the postseason.

“I was thinking about that last night,” Cowser said. “I didn’t really know what to expect but, honestly, I think that it was a lot of fun. I think that it’s a different kind of pressure, and for me, just the way I’m viewing it, it’s just kind of a privilege.

“I’m not going out there trying to put too much pressure on myself or as a team I don’t think we’re trying to do that. I think we’re just trying to go out there and have fun and compete.

“I think that it’s one of those things that — I think that as the game was going on, it was like, I think everyone was more comfortable, and I think just stringing together good at-bats is something that is important going forward.”

The Orioles need Cowser and his teammates to show more discipline at the plate.

“I think you have to do your best to not think about it,” Cowser said. “I think having a short memory — it’s a pretty cliché answer, but having a short memory in this game is extremely important. I think just going out there and just competing one pitch at a time, not really trying to win a game with one swing but just going out there trying to string together quality at-bats as a team and as an individual is something that’ll help the team win.

“I think that mindset throughout the whole year doesn’t have to change going into a certain game just because if we lose we’re done. I think that you’ve just got to go out there and compete to the best of your ability.”

Cowser is one of the looser Orioles, and he joked during his pregame media session. However, he’s all business when the game begins.

“We didn’t score yesterday, but I think that as the game went on, it felt like our bats got a lot better,” he said. “I think going into today’s game, we were just missing one big hit yesterday. That’s all it was. I think that we know that, and the team knows that. I think today we’re just going to go out there and try to have as much fun as we can, and those things will take care of themselves.”