Orioles recall Irvin and option Zimmermann (with lineup)

The Orioles have reached one finish line. The end of the regular season.

Game 1 of the Division Series is Saturday at Camden Yards. The Orioles will play the winner of the wild card series between the Rays and either the Blue Jays, Astros or Rangers – the identity revealed later this afternoon.

They made a roster move this morning, recalling left-hander Cole Irvin from Triple-A Norfolk and optioning lefty Bruce Zimmermann, who tossed two scoreless innings last night.

Irvin also didn’t make the trip to Las Vegas for Norfolk’s 7-6 victory over Oklahoma City in the Triple-A championship game.

The Orioles want another fresh arm that can provide some length in the bullpen. Irvin has registered a 4.54 ERA and 1.314 WHIP in 23 games, including 12 starts.

Irvin hasn’t pitched for the Orioles since Sept. 12. He started Game 2 of the best-of-three International League championship series against Durham on Wednesday night and tossed three scoreless innings. The abbreviated outing made him available today at Camden Yards.

The club will carry a taxi squad in the playoffs that could include Irvin if he isn't on the active roster, along with others who have been optioned but would stay in Baltimore.

Kyle Bradish is on the mound this afternoon, and his 2.86 ERA in 29 starts ranks fourth in the majors. He has a 1.050 WHIP that’s third, and opponents are batting .217 against him.

Bradish has allowed nine runs and 12 hits in two starts against the Red Sox covering only 8 1/3 innings.

Alex Verdugo is 7-for-18 with three doubles against Bradish. Rafael Devers is 6-for-16 with a double.

Left-handed hitters are slugging .100 against Bradish over his last two starts after slugging .380 in the previous four, per STATS.

Manager Brandon Hyde indicated that he could shorten Bradish’s outing today and give some work to relievers who didn’t pitch last night. Irvin would be in that group.

A win today would be the club’s 102^nd, the most since the 1979 team finished 102-57.

Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck has registered a 5.31 ERA and 1.410 WHIP in 20 starts. He’s faced the Orioles three times and allowed 11 earned runs and 12 total in 15 1/3 innings.

Cedric Mullins is 5-for-16 with a double and home run against Houck.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman DH
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Cedric Mullins CF
Heston Kjerstand LF
Adam Frazier 2B
Jordan Westburg 3B
James McCann C

Kyle Bradish RHP