Hyde on Means, catchers’ setups, base coaches, Rutschman and more

Allowed to throw 84 pitches over four innings on opening day, Orioles left-hander John Means can be pushed a bit more tonight in his start against the Brewers.

Wade into the medium level of the pool before submerging in the deep end.

“It depends on how efficient he is, traffic, stressful innings,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “I’m hoping to get him up to five or six innings and in the 85-pitch range or maybe a little higher. Kind of see how the game goes.”

The Dodgers pulled Clayton Kershaw today after seven perfect innings, another product of a short spring training. Hyde was asked what he’d do tonight if Means was perfect through the seventh at 80 pitches.

No mention of Kershaw. Just a “what if.”

Hyde paused, smiled and played along, saying, “Well, that’s a great scenario. Let’s hope that happens, so I have to make that decision. Seven perfect with 80 and no traffic? He’s going to go back out. He’s got seven perfect innings at 80 pitches, he’s going back out. That’s a promise.”

Anthony Bemboom is behind the plate tonight. Orioles catchers are setting up differently to stay in attack mode, to increase strikes thrown.

“We’re putting importance on working ahead in the count, so we are setting up more in the middle part of the plate than we have in the past,” Hyde said. “You see a lot of teams doing that now, especially with stuff guys who are letting it play on the white part of the plate, and so far, so good with our guys. We’re throwing a lot more strikes, we’re forcing action. Keegan (Akin) is a prime example of that.

“You are going to give up possibly more hits, but you also have eight defenders and we’re forcing action with guys swinging the bat and not being deep counts, behind in the count, nibbling. We’re trying to eliminate the nibble and trying to go after guys.”

First base coach Anthony Sanders and third base coach Tony Mansolino are away from the team due to illness. Sanders also missed last night’s game.

“As per our club policy, I’m not going to discuss or comment further on any personal matter when it comes to illness,” Hyde said.

José Hernández is coaching first base again tonight, and Fredi González is coaching third.

“(González) has done it a lot of years, so he’s comfortable over there,” Hyde said. “Coaching third is a hard thing to do in the big leagues, and to have somebody over there that’s done it extremely well for a lot of years, that was an easy choice.”

The Orioles are 4-for-47 with runners in scoring position through five games, lead the majors with 58 strikeouts, and must face reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes and his “elite stuff,” as Hyde described it.

How much of the issues can be blamed on the team’s approach at the plate?

“I think we have some swing-and-miss guys on our club, and I think you’re going to see that improve over the course of the year,” Hyde said. “I also think we’ve just faced Tampa Bay and now Milwaukee, two of the best pitching staffs in baseball, and guys that have really good stuff, power arms. I think our guys are pressing a little bit early, especially with runners in scoring position. That’s where you see the majority of the strikeouts. We’re playing close games, guys are trying to get the big hit. That’s natural.

“We don’t have a ton of experience with that veteran in the middle of the order that people can lean on a little bit. We have guys that historically don’t walk much and swing and miss, but they also can do damage and they also have the opportunity to improve, and I think we’re going to improve over the course of the year.

“Hitting with runners in scoring position, it’s a hard thing to practice, it’s a confidence and an experience type of thing, and I think once we get a couple, then I think guys are going to relax a little bit.”

Catcher Adley Rutschman remains in Sarasota and is “improving every day,” Hyde said, after being shut down in camp with a strained right triceps.

“Swinging the bat, taking coach’s BP, doing a throwing progression. All of that is going extremely well,” Hyde said.

Kyle Stowers has returned to Triple-A Norfolk’s lineup tonight after being hit on the hand during the Tides’ opening game. He’s batting fourth and playing right field.

Yusniel Diaz is out of the lineup after leaving last night’s game with discomfort in his right hamstring.

The Orioles are starting Jordan Lyles, Tyler Wells and Bruce Zimmermann in the three-game series against the Yankees that begins Friday night at Camden Yards.

Cedric Mullins’ grand slam last night was the first for an Orioles’ left-handed batter against a southpaw since Dwight Smith Jr. connected off the Giants’ Drew Pomeranz on May 31, 2019 at Camden Yards. Chris Davis and Reggie Jackson each have three, the most in club history.

For the Brewers
Andrew McCutchen DH
Willy Adames SS
Christian Yelich LF
Hunter Renfroe RF
Keston Hiura 2B
Tyrone Tayler CF
Rowdy Tellez 1B
Mike Brosseau 3B
Victor Caratini C

Corbin Burnes RHP