The Orioles clinch WC1 with a win. There’ll be reason to watch the out-of-town scoreboard regardless.
This could be the night that settles the teams who are in the American League postseason picture. If the Orioles beat the Twins, then the Twins are eliminated, the Orioles are confirmed as the #1 wild card team and it’s left to the Tigers and Royals to settle who will play the Orioles.
Either of the Tigers and Royals can clinch their own postseason spots with a win regardless of what happens to the Twins, or, if the Tigers lose, the O’s clinch regardless of what happens in their own game. It’s a busy night! The Tigers get under way against the White Sox at 6:40 – so already begun by the time this posts – while the Royals start their game against the Braves at 7:20.
I would feel better if the Orioles had already sewn up their WC1 by now, but the magic number of 1 with three to play is pretty safe, even considering the Tigers are playing the White Sox. The Twins have been reeling even more than the Orioles in September, which is why they’re on the verge of being eliminated. They’re averaging below four runs per game for the month and are 9-15 overall. That’s rough. Doesn’t mean they won’t beat the O’s tonight.
Orioles lineup
- Gunnar Henderson – SS
- Jordan Westburg – 2B
- Anthony Santander – RF
- Colton Cowser – LF
- Adley Rutschman – C
- Ryan O’Hearn – DH
- Ryan Mountcastle – 1B
- Cedric Mullins – CF
- Ramón Urías – 3B
Cade Povich is on the mound for the Orioles as they try to clinch home field in the wild card round. The Twins are a slightly better-hitting team against lefties overall, but slightly worse against lefty starters. It would be nice to see him close out his regular season with a good start.
Twins lineup
- Manuel Margot – RF
- Carlos Correa – SS
- Byron Buxton – CF
- Carlos Santana – 1B
- Royce Lewis – 3B
- Kyle Farmer – 2B
- Ryan Jeffers – DH
- Christian Vázquez – C
- Willi Castro – LF
The starting pitcher for the Twins is Pablo López, who has been almost perfectly league average this year. The reloaded Orioles lineup can hopefully get back to some good results facing López after struggling against Gerrit Cole last night.