Whether or not Baltimore Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde is a gambling man, I don’t know. I can tell you that I’m not, as I’m risk-adverse! However I think he did make a calculation on Thursday, one that in theory COULD still bite him. But it was the correct assumption.
The O’s trailed New York 1-0 following a solo home run. They say solo shots don’t beat you – and for the most part that’s true. However Hyde lifted starter Corbin Burnes, who was otherwise dominant. This in anticipation of a start in the Wild Card round on Tuesday. A series that’s after last night’s 7-2 win in Minnesota, will be played at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
However something else is striking about the scores from around the league last night. That being that New York lost to Pittsburgh. Going into Thursday’s game, if the Orioles swept the rest of the season and New York had lost out, the O’s would have won the East.
You see where I’m going with this; did Hyde’s calculation actually backfire? If the O’s win tonight and tomorrow and New York loses out, then many people will say that. It was a winnable game when Burnes exited on Thursday. It later blew up when the bullpen got knocked around, which is a separate problem going into the postseason. However if somehow that scenario unfolds, I’d expect many couch critics to pile on Hyde for in essence punting the division.
Which I think would be misguided. First off, precious few of us know the day-to-day of managing a big league team. All managers know their teams in and out. Fans don’t. So therefore it’s tough to judge.
However what really are the odds that the aforementioned scenario comes to pass? I would say that the O’s have a better shot at sweeping Minnesota than Pittsburgh does at sweeping New York, but that’s a lot that’s beyond the Orioles’ control. Hyde realized what “the score” was, and he began planning accordingly.
After last night’s win, the next two games in essence are tune up’s. Translated: they’re meaningless. That doesn’t mean you don’t still go out and try to win the games. And I know the Orioles will. You want to finish strong. But the results have no bearing on the postseason. And yes, you don’t want to risk further injury.
I would also point out that the same mentality who would criticize Hyde playing the odds the way he did, would be critical if they went full steam ahead and went for it. Some folks are just contrarians. Again, I think pulling back in a sense was the correct thing to do.
The O’s next take on Minnesota again this evening at Target Field. The Orioles’ starter is the elusive TBD, but whomever he is will be opposed by Minnesota’s Zebby Mathews. Game time is set for 7:15 PM.
Birdland Crush 