Showalter on lineup decisions

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles need a win today to avoid being swept in consecutive road series for the first time since July 4-10, 2011 in Texas and Boston. The Orioles have lost five straight road games for the first time since losing seven in a row Sept. 13, 2013 to April 5, 2014. They've been held to two runs or fewer in their last five road games, their longest streak since May 28-June 2, 2010, according to STATS. They haven't been held to two runs or fewer in six straight road games since June 17-July 4, 1965. What will today's lineup produce? It's missing Nick Markakis and Adam Jones, who have started the first 141 games. J.J. Hardy also is sitting today to rest his back. Just a day off for Markakis? "That's what the manager said," he replied, grinning. "A day game. Playing on that turf can take a toll on your back and knees. Buck (Showalter) thought we needed a day off and we'll take it." Showalter plans to start all three players Monday night in Boston. "I hope so," Markakis said. "We'll see. I should be back in there tomorrow. Just get a breather today and kind of relax and watch a baseball game." "The turf's heavy-legged a few people," Showalter said. "That's another thing about playing here, especially this time of year. They both hadn't said anything, other than answering some of Richie (Bancells') and my questions, but that's my decision. "We all know they would like to play, but it's best for them and best for the club. One of the benefits of having a full roster this time of the year. "When we came in here, I was going to try to give them both a day off, on this turf especially. I know the history here what it does to guys' legs that have been playing a lot like those two guys. Hopefully, it will help a little bit. And I think everybody needs a little mental and emotional day now and then, too. "They work very hard to get us to this point and we want to keep them that way. They won't ever be 100 percent until the season is over and a day isn't going to change that much. They don't ever voice it, but I feel it's good to give them a day. They'll be available. "Nice bench." Hardy's back began to tighten Friday night and the Orioles are being cautious with him. "If we were playing on a different field, I'd probably play him," Showalter said. "He'll play tomorrow. Well, that's the plan. We'll see how he feels tomorrow." Hardy said his back feels "much better." "I told them that I probably could play, but to be safe and not have what happened in April happen again, I think one more day I'll be available," Hardy said. "I feel pretty good about being able to play tomorrow, for sure. "The spasms, it's weird. When they come up, it's basically, I think, they're telling me that something's wrong and be careful. That first game here I felt a few spasms and it was kind of a grind that first night, but it didn't lock up on me like it did in April when I had to miss a week, which is what we're trying to avoid, and I think we're getting ahead of it. I feel good about where we're at and being able to play tomorrow for sure and today if needed." It's easy to blame the artificial surface at The Trop. "I don't know," Hardy said. "People think so, but a couple games ago in Baltimore I had to come out of the game because of the spasms, so I think there was something maybe before the turf. The turf probably didn't help. It was a grind that first day but it feels pretty good right now." Hardy is searching for ways to manage his back as the regular season winds down. "To get ahead of it, yeah," he said. "I'm honestly hoping that these two days are doing that for me and then the rest of the season I don't have to deal with it, and then the postseason. I'm just really trying to avoid missing a week or a week and a half like I did in April and then coming back kind of questionable for the last part of the season and anything else. But I think we're getting ahead of it now and I'm hoping that it's not there the rest of the year." Hardy's back wasn't an issue during the final two games against the Reds at Camden Yards. "BP and everything went well here and I was like, 'OK, I think everything's in the past,' and then it tried to spasm up a little bit again after BP and I played through the game with some uncomfortable moments," Hardy said. "Now, I feel like we've gotten ahead of it and I've kind of dodged a bullet in a way." Showalter said he wants to get Darren O'Day into today's game. O'Day hasn't pitched since Tuesday night due to soreness in his left hamstring. "We've gotten everybody out of the woods a little bit," Showalter said. "We want to keep some people out of the woods, out of harm's way."