Showalter unwilling to grow sentimental over last homestand

The season is down to four games, which could be the countdown for Buck Showalter as Orioles manager. He hasn't been told of his status beyond this season and said he isn't worrying about it. There's an opponent to prepare for and personal feelings that must be stifled.

"No. I shouldn't know," Showalter said.

"I've got a contract through the end of October, so nobody needs to or has to do that. There's a lot of people in this world like that. Who am I?

"I mean, really? Is it that important? No."

Showalter insisted that his emotions are in check and nothing has changed tonight or going into the weekend.

"That's the players, I'm sure," he said. "I think about Adam (Jones) a lot. It's more from their perspective for me. Whatever stuff like that, we all have some private thoughts and emotions about that, but I don't think it serves the organization well for me to be worried about that right now. We've got some things to do these last four games.

"One is to get the games in."

Showalter joked that the media was becoming Roy Firestone in the movie "Jerry Maguire," as if it were trying to make him cry. He held up just fine.

The Orioles are expected to reveal their intentions with Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette soon after the final game rather than wait through October. But again, "expected" is a key word here. It's been attached to the statuses of Showalter and Duquette in tweets without source attribution.

What would the next month be like for Showalter if he's left to wait?

"It won't be difficult, it won't be difficult," he said. "Think about it. Difficult? What's difficult in this world?"

The uncertainty?

"Compared to what?" Showalter asked. "The uncertainty of waiting for a test to come back about your mother or your wife? I'm serious about this. In the whole scheme of life, it shouldn't be. Shame on me if it is.

"You know how good they've been to me? I'm not ever going to forget that, regardless of what happens."

Miguel Castro could pitch again this weekend because his right knee is improving, but he won't be available tonight if weather allows the game to be played.

Showalter said it's the same update on Evan Phillips, Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb. Improving, but not available.

Luis Ortiz's hamstring is much better since he reported to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota.

"We're hoping that he leaves instructional league healthy," Showalter said. "Same way with (Josh) Rogers. They're all moving in a good direction."

Showalter finally decided on a lineup after taking the past day's 18 innings into consideration and which players were dealing with nagging injuries.

"Our lineup today was completely affected by the 18 innings we spent ..." he said. "We got there at 8:15 and left at 12:15. But that's part of the job. It's a great job."

The Orioles arrived back in Baltimore around 3:30 a.m.

Rain is falling and the forecast doesn't offer much encouragement. A doubleheader could be scheduled for the weekend if tonight's game is postponed.

"It started out early this morning, it didn't look like we were going to play at all," Showalter said. "I haven't heard anything lately. MLB's kind of pushing."

For the Astros
Josh Reddick RF
Jose Altuve 2B
Alex Bregman 3B
Carlos Correa SS
Tyler White 1B
Brian McCann DH
Martin Maldonado C
Kyle Tucker LF
Jake Marisnick CF

Gerrit Cole RHP