Means on postseason pitching: “You dream of it as a little kid"

The last two spots in the Orioles rotation this weekend remain vacant in case they clinch the division title early and manager Brandon Hyde can tweak it. Perhaps hold back Kyle Bradish, whose next turn is Sunday. Maybe give Jack Flaherty a start. Go against where it normally would flow.

Hyde knows that a win tonight or Friday, when John Means is listed, comes with certain perks.

“There’s a lot of reasons why you want to, whether it’s to rest guys, schedule some bullpen innings, those types of things,” Hyde said this afternoon. “But we’re a game away from that, so I’m just really focused on trying to win. Try to win tonight, hopefully that goes well, if not, try to win tomorrow.”

Players have traveled different roads to reach tonight’s possible clincher, the fourth at home in club history. Only one is a former All-Star who returned this summer from elbow ligament-constructive surgery.

Means has his own story and emotions.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said, the media surrounding him at his locker. “It’s hard to put into words, but it’s just such a fun clubhouse, such great guys, and we’re looking forward to whatever comes. And we’re hoping to win tonight.”

Means went through the rigors of rehabbing his elbow and later the strained muscle in his upper back. Pitching again was the primary motivator, but also to do it on a club fighting for the division crown. A club that lost over 100 games in 2019 and 2021.

He rode the lows. He wanted to soar with everyone else.

“You see the team, you see how much fun they’re having, you see the guys and the success and everything, you just want to be a part of it,” he said. “Definitely added a little bit to the motivation.”

Veterans aren’t gathering the younger players to deliver any messages. Doors aren't closed and older voices aren't lecturing or advising.

“Everybody’s so in tune with what they need to do and so process-oriented that it doesn’t really matter. We have a lot of guys just doing what they do and it’s working, so don’t mess it up," Means said.

“We have a lot of guys in here who are hard on themselves enough that you don’t need to say anything. They know what they need to do. They know when they struggle or when they’re doing well, and they’re very even-keeled. It’s really special, the personalities we have in here. And it’s obviously showing.”

Means seems to have earned a spot in the postseason rotation, locking it up with his 6 2/3 hitless innings in Cleveland. The debate over a possible shift to the bullpen has quieted.

“You dream of it as a little kid,” Means said. “I can’t wait to see the crowds here at Camden Yards. It’s going to be so cool, and I’m just looking forward to it. But try to win today and take care of it now.”

The champagne and beer are on ice again, replicating the raucous scene on Sept. 17. Or perhaps dialing it up another notch or two.

“Obviously we had a lot of fun just clinching the playoffs,” Means said, “so I think we’ve got to top that a little bit.”

Ryan Mountcastle is in the lineup for the first time since injuring his shoulder on Sept. 13.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be all four games,” Hyde said, “but I’ll try to get him some at-bats right before the postseason.”

For the Red Sox
Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Rafael Devers 3B
Masataka Yoshida DH
Alex Verdugo RF
Trevor Story SS
Wilyer Abreu LF
Enmanuel Valdez 2B
Bobby Dalbec 1B
Connor Wong C

Chris Sale LHP