Adam Jones: Playoff appearance is organization-wide success

TORONTO - The Orioles came up short in their bid to win the American League East this season, but they are back in the playoffs for the third time in five years. They lead the American League with 443 wins since the 2012 season.

For O's center fielder Adam Jones, that is an organization-wide success that goes beyond just the players.

"Through 162, we put ourselves in a position to extend our season," Jones said. "I'm proud of every guy in this clubhouse. And not just the players, our organization. You win from the top to bottom. It starts with our owner. It's scouts, PR (public relations staff) - it's everybody. It's all one big family, one team. I know they don't get a lot of publicity or love shown. But as players, we appreciate what they do for us. Having us just worry about the game instead of everything else."

But tonight, the game does take center stage, as the Orioles meet the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League wild card contest. One game to see which team's season will be over and which team will play at Texas on Thursday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

The Orioles have plenty of experience playing in the raucous environment that is Rogers Centre. They went 4-6 this year there, but won three of their last four games north of the border.

What does Jones expect from the fans tonight?

"Pretty much the same thing," he said. "Yeah, a lot of foul mouths. A lot choice words aimed at the visiting players. But it is all part of the game. I've been here when there was 15,000 on a Friday night. And I've been here when there was 50,000 on a Tuesday. So there will be 50,000 on Tuesday, probably a little more."

Wild card game experience: Five Orioles that will likely start tonight know what it is like to play in a wild card game. They did just that in the 2012 game won by the Orioles 5-1 at Texas.

The five are catcher Matt Wieters, first baseman Chris Davis (he was in right field for that game), Jones, shortstop J.J. Hardy and third baseman Manny Machado. (The Orioles also started Nate McLouth in left that night and Jim Thome as DH.)

Having been through the pressure of playing in that 2012 one-and-done game, I asked Wieters how a player can try and take the pressure off tonight

"It's just freeing yourself up knowing that we've gone through all the work to get here," he said. "Everyone that has made the playoffs has done the work it takes to be a good team. It's just a matter of knowing that you've put in the preparation and now just kind of let all that kind of come out."

Manager Buck Showalter has often referred to the postseason as a time to "roll the dice." You just want to have a chance for your team to get hot and make a deep postseason run. Does Wieters agree?

"Me, personally, you see it as momentum," he said. "It really is about being able to stop momentum on the other side and keep it on your side. For a baseball player that is used to the grind of 162, where you have momentum over the course of weeks, now you have it over the course of pitches and outs. It almost feels like a whole season sped up into one game."

Recent Rogers Centre success: When the Orioles got hammered by the Blue Jays 9-1 on July 30 at Rogers Centre, they were 1-5 at that ballpark this season. But they won the next day, 6-2 in 12 innings, and then took two of three last week. So they are 3-1 their last four trips to Rogers Centre.

Will the recent success at the ballpark help them tonight?

"I think so," major league home run leader Mark Trumbo said. "You don't really know, but especially with it being so recent. Plus, knowing the feeling of going up against quality teams and having success, that could be inspiring for myself and all the guys in here."

Two starters in Toronto's 'pen: The Orioles roster for tonight's game will be announced later today. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told reporters here yesterday that he will have two of his starting pitchers in the bullpen and available tonight behind right-hander Marcus Stroman (9-10, 4.37 ERA). Lefty Francisco Liriano and right-hander Marco Estrada will both be in the Blue Jays bullpen.

The Orioles will probably not include a few starting pitchers on their roster, and that means pitchers Kevin Gausman, Wade Miley and Yovani Gallardo could be left off. And, yes, they can be added back for the American League Division Series should the Orioles advance. Teams can change their rosters for each round of the playoffs. The Orioles are expected to include starters Ubaldo Jimenez and Dylan Bundy in their bullpen tonight.

"They've got some pretty good left-handed hitters over there," Gibbons said. "You have Chris Davis, one of the biggest power threats in the game. (Hyun Soo) Kim, who has done a hell of a job for them, who is a really tough out. You know, there may come a time we need a big key out for somebody, and send a right-hander, left-hander. So it gives us some more options down there, no doubt.

"The fact that with Estrada and Liriano, you get some innings out of them, too. It's not just a hitter or two maybe. Who knows. The game goes extra innings, you never know. But if something happens to Stroman early on, you get some coverage. Hopefully at least get you to your go-to guys late."

Tillman talk: The Orioles are 22-8 in Chris Tillman's 30 starts this year and that includes a record of 4-0 in his four starts against Toronto. Tillman went 1-0 with a 3.63 ERA in those games. He gave up four runs (three earned) in 11 1/3 in two starts in 2016 at Rogers Centre.

Tillman believes the Orioles' series win at Rogers Centre last week could be important now.

"I think it helps with some of the younger guys," he said. "You know, I've been here when we've been really, really bad here. I've been here when we've played pretty well here. I've been on both sides of it. You know, you do have to learn how to play through a situation and in front of certain fans and against certain teams. I think this is a tougher place to play. It has been for us in the past. But I think we've been playing good baseball as of late here. I think we're ready."

Gibbons' choice to start Stroman tonight over Liriano is interesting, considering that Liriano pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday against Baltimore and that the Orioles hit right-handers better than lefties. Plus Stroman is 1-2 with a 7.04 ERA in four starts this year against the Orioles. If the O's get to him early, maybe Liriano gets up quickly in that Toronto bullpen.

My guess at tonight's lineup:
RF Michael Bourn
CF Adam Jones
3B Manny Machado
DH Mark Trumbo
C Matt Wieters
1B Chris Davis
2B Jonathan Schoop
LF Hyun Soo Kim
SS J.J. Hardy

I will also guess that Brian Duensing makes the roster as a second bullpen lefty with Donnie Hart to match up with. I also feel the O's will find a way to keep Drew Stubbs on the roster as a late-inning pinch-runner or defensive replacement.