O's line up Gausman for Sunday, Bundy could pitch in 'pen in N.Y.

TORONTO - The Orioles have lined up right-hander Kevin Gausman to pitch the regular season finale on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. That would be after Yovani Gallardo gets the start on Friday and Wade Miley on Saturday. Gallardo left Toronto today to fly to New York in advance of Friday's start.

Manager Buck Showalter today indicated Gausman is Sunday's starter, but was not ready to make that official just yet.

"He's a candidate for Sunday. See how things progress each day, but he's preparing for that," Showalter said.

So if the O's do go Gallardo, Miley and Gausman this weekend, that would mean Dylan Bundy has made his last regular season start. But Showalter was not ready to concede that today either during his pregame media update.

"I haven't committed to that yet," he said. "You could potentially see him in the bullpen at some point if we need it. We are kind of going day-to-day with it. As he told me today, he has 109 2/3 innings, so he knows.

"I said, 'Did you count spring training?' He said, 'Do I have to?' I said, 'No.' "

Showalter made it clear if Bundy doesn't start again this weekend, he certainly could start in the playoffs, should the Orioles advance. He reiterated that today when asked if there is an innings limit on Bundy moving forward.

"Yeah, we have a number that if he pitches every fifth day in the playoffs and we play all the way to the end of the year, that would be the number. Nothing to preclude him from starting again," Showalter said.

Showalter was asked about the challenges of preparing for not only the next four games, but next week. The Orioles potentially could have to play in a tiebreaker game to get into the wild card game. The Detroit Tigers' game with the Cleveland Indians was postponed by rain today and will be made up Monday, if necessary. That could impact the Orioles if they are within a half-game of the Tigers by the end of Sunday's play.

But Showalter insists he is not looking too far ahead.

"There is no challenge to that because we're not. We're looking at these nine innings," he said. "That's all. All that stuff, there are certain things you have to get ahead of like potential travel. There is only a challenge if we create one. It doesn't matter if we don't do what we have to do. No one is talking about that. The smoke clears on Sunday, see where we stand. We'll adjust it and go.

"With our pitching, we talk about, let's see where we are after tonight. We had some things adjust after last night's game. We tell the pitchers what is going on and they are the first ones to know when we know.

"This time of the year with the (players') families, they are all checked out of the apartments and houses they rented and are stuck in hotels. The organization has been great with the families. In fact, Mr. Angelos has already done something to make it a lot easier for us if there is some travel after Sunday."

O's second baseman Jonathan Schoop snapped a stretch where he was 0-for-22 as he went 2-for-3 with a walk last night. His single in the ninth inning came ahead of Hyun Soo Kim's pinch-hit homer. Showalter was asked today if Schoop had handled his batting slump well.

"Regardless what happens this year, Jon and Manny (Machado) have been through some things that they're going to really be able to reach back for in the future," Showalter said. "I always try to look for a silver lining that they can always look at this point early in their career and it's only going to make them better. It tests your mettle. You know, Jon poking that ball into right field (in the ninth), you reach a point where you just stick your nose in there and try to get it done."

Showalter said Schoop, who is batting .215 since the All-Star break, has stayed mentally tough while his batting average dipped.

"And a lot of that comes from your teammates, too," Showalter said. "Our guys, they don't let anybody feel sorry for themselves. It's all good-natured, but they don't let a guy get down. And if you do, they'll chastise you a little bit. They are always showing each other how much confidence they have in each other."

In looking back at last night's win, Showalter threw some praise Michael Bourn's way. He pinch-ran for Schoop in the ninth last night and stole second base ahead of Kim's home run.

"I'll tell you, the guts Michael had to steal second base there. Pretty impressive," he said. "It's nice having him around and he's done well in this ballpark. Last night was one you wish you could step back and take it all in. Freeze it and see people in that moment."