For openers, hitting coach Cody Asche wants Orioles to use their instincts

TORONTO—In his first game as the Orioles’ hitting coach, Cody Asche saw his players hit six home runs, a team record for Opening Day. They scored nine runs on Saturday in their third game, and Adley Rutschman, Cedric Mullins and Jordan Westburg already have multi-homer games.

However, the Orioles also scored just two runs on four hits in their second game and just one run on nine hits on Sunday in a 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays that evened their record at 2-2 heading into Monday’s home opener at Camden Yards against the Boston Red Sox. Game time is 2:35.

“I don’t mind a few homers every now and again, maybe six a day. That would be good,” Asche joked on Sunday before his players didn’t homer and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Asche was the Orioles’ offensive strategist for the last two seasons. He moved into the lead hitting coach position for this year and said his biggest adjustment isn’t on the field, but off it. He and his wife welcomed their second child, a baby girl, in the offseason.

“From a baseball side, not a ton has changed,” Asche said. “Balancing the work/life with a wife and two kids back at home, that’s probably been the hardest thing.”

Jordan Westburg, who wasn’t in the Orioles’ starting lineup on Sunday after hitting three home runs, two in Saturday’s game, has impressed Asche.

The 26-year-old Westburg missed almost two months after he fractured his right hand on July 31^st.

“I saw Westy at his best last year before the hand injury,” Asche said. “I kind of see that being who he is, a really consistent guy, really even-keeled, shows up with the same attitude every day. I think for a young player, having to do that for 162 [games] is probably a step for him.

“It probably comes natural for him. It’s kind of like a gift for Westy. That’s what’s made him so good up until this point in his career …As long as he can force them to throw where he does damage, I think he’ll be really, really good.”

During spring training, manager Brandon Hyde spoke about encouraging Colton Cowser and Jackson Holliday to use their speed more and perhaps lay down a bunt for a base hit every now and then. He also appreciates when his players hit to the opposite field.

“Something we talk a lot about as a hitting group is using our baseball instincts, trusting our baseball instincts,” Asche said. “You get to the big leagues being an instinctually smart player, and at the highest level, it’s important to stay with that and trust that and have coaches and analysts that help you recognize game situations where you can take advantage of certain things.

“We keep bringing up those situations, bringing up good times to do things, and that’s how you grow those instincts. Both of those guys have a really good feel for the game, when they want to do it, when they need to do it. I don’t think it’s something we’re going to force them to do. I think it’s something that as they grow as players they’ll learn how it fits their game. It’s definitely a tool that they all have. We saw it in spring. We have a lot of guys on this team that can move around the bases.”

Opening Day Schedule: Gates will open at noon for the rescheduled 2:35 p.m. start against the Boston Red Sox. Due to forecasted inclement weather, the Orioles moved the game time from 3:05 p.m. to 2:35 after consulting with Major League Baseball.

Parking lots will open at 11 a.m.  Festivities hosted by Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown will start at 2 p.m.

First pitches will be thrown by Maryland men’s basketball stars Derik Queen and Julian Reese, and women’s stars Allie Kubek and Shyanne Sellers. Queen and Reese are Baltimore natives. Kubek is a Maryland native.

Queen and Sellers will be the first guest splashers in the expanded Bird Bath Splash Zone.

Gabby Samone, a Baltimore native who appeared on “American Idol” this season, will sing the national anthem.

There will be a 30-foot-by -42-foot American flag dropped during the anthem. The Baltimore City Police and Fire Department Honor Guards will present the colors and a flyover by Maryland National Guard’s 104^th Fighter Squadron of the 175^th Wing will take place at the conclusion of the anthem.

All fans will receive an Orioles Rally Towel, and there will be a live Hot Dog Race in the middle of the fourth inning.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.