Notes on Sisco setup, Scott's dominance and Hays healing

The Orioles could be poised to revert back to a leadoff platoon.

Manager Brandon Hyde elevated Hanser Alberto to first in the order against left-handed starters in 2019, with Jonathan Villar leading off versus right-handers. But Villar was traded to the Marlins over the winter and a new plan seems to be taking shape.

Chance Sisco remains in the lineup today against Blue Jays right-hander Tanner Roark and he's batting first for only the second time in his career. The debut came last night versus righty Nate Pearson and he responded with a walk and home run.

Alberto batted .398/.414/.534 against lefties last season and is slashing .438/.412/.750 this year. He's expected to bat first on Saturday against Red Sox left-hander Martín Pérez - the Friday starter is TBD - and might settle into the middle of the order on the nights that opponents put a right-hander on the mound.

Sisco is more likely to be on the bench against left-handers, with Pedro Severino and Bryan Holaday the catching and designated hitter options.

"We just don't have a prototypical leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching," Hyde said this morning in his Zoom conference call.

"With (Anthony) Santander swinging the bat, some of our middle guys swinging the bat the way they are, I'm just trying to get somebody on base, that I feel like has the best chance to get on base for these guys as much as possible. Chance isn't your typical leadoff hitter, but we don't really have one either against right-handed pitching. He's getting on base 40-something percent of the time and took good ABs last night. Walked and homered.

"I don't know if this is going to be an everyday thing. I'm just trying to play with it a little bit and while he's getting on base so much I just want to see him up there, especially in front of Tony."

Sisco's confidence is climbing and Hyde sees "a totally different player" offensively and defensively.

"That's why I felt comfortable putting him up there yesterday. Same thing today," Hyde said. "Just his at-bats. He's not chasing out of the strike zone. He's looking for a pitch he can drive. Love the increased confidence defensively, also. That's going to continue to improve.

"Just playing like he belongs here this year for me and his at bats show it and what he's doing behind the plate, as well."

Left-hander Tanner Scott faced two batters last night, struck them out and hasn't been charged with an earned run in 8 2/3 innings. He's allowed one hit and struck out 13.

"I'm really pumped about Tanner Scott," Hyde said. "What he did last night, that's just wipeout stuff. He's been doing that the last few weeks."

Outfielder Austin Hays hasn't been cleared for baseball activities but his rib is healing. He remains in rest mode.

Hays went on the injured list Saturday with a non-displaced rib fracture.

The Orioles seemed optimistic that he'd be ready in 10 days. He'll need to start swinging the bat and throwing.

"He's just got to wait for it to heal a little bit," Hyde said, "but he is feeling better."