Burnes named Orioles' Game 1 starter in Wild Card, plus other notes

MINNEAPOLIS – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has made it official. Corbin Burnes will start Game 1 of the Wild Card game Tuesday at Camden Yards.

Burnes was the logical choice, of course,  and Hyde already talked about shortening his outing at Yankee Stadium because he’d be on regular rest on his next turn. Burnes was ticketed for Opening Day and Game 1 starts as soon as the Orioles acquired him from the Brewers over the winter for DL Hall and Joey Ortiz.

The rest of the playoff rotation wasn’t shared today. Hyde said he’d only announce Burnes, but Zach Eflin is expected to pitch Wednesday and Dean Kremer in Game 3 if necessary.

The opponent and times aren’t determined. The Tigers lost today and hold a half-game lead over the Royals for the fifth seeding. Kansas City owns the tie-breaker.

Burnes made playoff appearances with the Brewers but only two starts. He’s allowed six runs and 11 hits with six walks and 22 strikeouts in 19 innings.

Albert Suárez is starting Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Twins, which pushes him back one day. A decision is pending whether he’s also shortened, with a bullpen role waiting for him in the Wild Card round.

Kremer would have started Sunday under normal circumstances.

Matt Bowman is the opener tonight, and Hyde said left-hander Tucker Davidson will get the bulk of the game. The Orioles selected his contract earlier today.

“We’re gonna have a couple short-inning relievers,” Hyde said. “Guys who throw tonight won’t throw tomorrow. We’re kind of checking everybody right now a little bit. We want to make sure everybody’s as fresh as possible for Tuesday. And we need everybody available for at least two of those games.

“We’re gonna see how the game goes today and kind of check guys to see if they need to throw today or tomorrow.”

The club is discussing the composition of the Wild Card roster and whether to carry 12 or 13 pitchers.

“I think it’s all possible,” Hyde said. “We’ll have a roster meeting when we get back in town. I think everything’s on the table right now. We don’t know who we’re playing yet, so a lot of things to kind of factor into that.”

Hyde appreciates the chance to rest some players over these next two days. Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Jordan Westburg are on the bench for the penultimate game.

“Nice to get Gunnar off his feet,” Hyde said. “Nice to get Westburg, guys who have been grinding a lot. A couple guys I’d like to get some at-bats to – Mounty (Ryan Mountcastle) and (Ramón) Urías. Westy needs a little bit of a break, so nice to be able to give him an off-day today. Gunnar definitely deserves an off-day today. Ced’s been playing a lot, also.

“Everybody’s going to play the next two days.”