Early impressions of the Orioles

What did we learn about the Orioles through their first series of the 2019 season?

Besides how the players were overjoyed that Brandon Hyde earned his first win as manager, the outpouring of affection coming from 12-ounce cans.

They want to get all of the firsts out of the way as quickly as possible.

Hyde's first win. Richie Martin's first hit. Mike Wright's first save. John Means' first win.

All of it happening in the Bronx.

What's next, Andrew Cashner's first shave?

Hyde won't be a prisoner to set lineups or bullpen roles.

They may become a little more predictable later in the summer, but right now he's focused on matchups and the best methods to win games. The "book" that he's supposed to go by has been torn in half.

Chris Davis apparently is going to be idle more often than in the past and he won't occupy a spot in the middle of the order right out of the gate. This is going to be a $161 million version of a slow-play, where he starts more than he sits but doesn't have automatic inclusion in the early lineups.

Hyde showed his hand on opening day by removing Davis for a pinch-hitter after three at-bats produced three strikeouts and the Yankees had Aroldis Chapman on the mound.

Cedric Mullins won't be the everyday center fielder.

Hyde met with Mullins yesterday and stressed that he hadn't decided on a strict platoon, but Mullins sat against left-handed starters James Paxton and J.A. Happ.

Mullins is 7-for-45 batting from the right side in the majors. He posted a .220 average at Triple-A Norfolk last season, a .208 average with Double-A Bowie in 2017 and a .217 average with Single-A Frederick in 2016.

The old regime wasn't ready to make Mullins bat exclusively from the left side and the new one also wants to keep working with him - and picking spots to try it again.

Hyde said that Mullins probably will be in the lineup for all three games in Toronto. It was noteworthy until the announcement came that the Jays scratched left-hander Clayton Richard on Monday due to a knee injury and replaced him with right-hander Sean Reid-Foley.

Nate Karns is the leading candidate to be the opener.

Karns is expected to handle the job again Wednesday afternoon in Toronto to close out the series.

David Hess starts Monday and Cashner returns on normal rest Tuesday. Both teams have TBD listed for Wednesday, but Hyde indicated that an opener would be used again before the Orioles head home, and Karns is the likely choice.

Why mess with a good thing?

Karns worked two scoreless innings Saturday and could be allowed to venture into the third depending on his pitch count. He was removed after only 33.

Hyde prefers the term "bullpen game" to "opener."

He conceded, however, that "opener" is sexier. So the Orioles are bringing sexy back.

No one has been anointed the closer.

Mychal Givens is a logical choice and could settle into the role, but Hyde isn't going to withhold anyone at this point if he needs big outs earlier in the game.

Givens warmed in the sixth inning Saturday in come-to-rescue mode for Miguel Castro and entered in the eighth. He pitched the eighth again yesterday with the Orioles ahead 7-4, gave up a run in the ninth and was replaced by Paul Fry after 49 pitches.

Games can be saved earlier than the ninth. Baseball doesn't recognize it in the stats, but getting those outs and stomping a rally can dictate the outcome.

Availability and other circumstances will dictate who closes. Hyde would be thrilled if it became his biggest issue.

Trey Mancini isn't planted in left field.

Plant a Trey? Not so fast.

Hyde likes Dwight Smith Jr.'s defense in left and his speed near the top of the order. Mancini will be shifted to right on occasion and also play first base if Davis sits or moves to the designated hitter role.

Mancini won't fuss. He's happy in left, right and first base and actually embraces starts as the DH.

Again, circumstances will dictate where Mancini plays. The ballpark, the opposing pitcher and his impact on other players on the team.

Rio Ruiz isn't ticketed for a platoon role at third base.

Granted, Renato Núñez's sore elbow is restricting him to at-bats as the designated hitter, but Ruiz is so much more dependable at third and it's not like he's a liability at the plate.

Don't like it? Blame it on Rio.

Ruiz has been in the lineup against left-handers. Hyde isn't using Drew Jackson as the right-handed half of a platoon.

The pitching staff could be susceptible to walks.

The Orioles issued eight walks on opening day, six on Saturday and eight more yesterday. Means walked only one batter over 3 1/3 innings, but it came with the bases loaded.

Karns walked the bases loaded Saturday in his first inning. Dylan Bundy walked five yesterday in 3 2/3 innings.

Make 'em earn their way on base. Hyde wants aggression on the mound, too.

Players are really comfortable with Hyde.

They put him in a laundry cart, wheeled him into the shower area and sprayed an assortment of beverages on him to celebrate his first win.

You better know your audience before attempting it.

They call him "Hyder."

I've heard multiple players use the nickname while sharing something that he's told them. They say it casually, too, as if referencing a teammate, family member or high school buddy.

You can drop the formalities. It's pretty relaxed around here.

The laundry cart is used for more than laundry.

Evidently.

Hyde is superstitious just like pretty much everyone else in baseball.

Third base coach Jose Flores brought the lineup card to home plate yesterday. Why? Because he did it Saturday and the Orioles won.

Guess who's going to carry it tonight?