Orioles have pitching decisions pending this weekend

NEW YORK – The Orioles know who’s starting the first game of the Twins series. The rest is dependent on “what happens,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

Rookie left-hander Cade Povich gets the ball at Target Field. Albert Suárez and Dean Kremer are lined up for the last two games, but they might not matter.

A win tonight secures the first Wild Card. A Yankees win eliminates the Orioles in the division race, but they could clinch the No. 4 playoff spot after Friday.

A “bullpen game” on Sunday isn’t ideal with a possible Game 1 two days later. A possible solution is calling up a pitcher to handle bulk innings and optioning him afterward. Trevor Rogers and Chayce McDermott fit the description and there are a few others.

Another pitcher would need to be optioned to make room, and he wouldn’t be eligible to return unless as an injury replacement until the Championship Series.

Povich would be a candidate if he’s deemed expendable for the first two rounds. Suárez could provide long relief if he shifts to his old role, but he faced the Tigers in his last two starts and allowed two runs and two hits in five innings in both games with a combined 15 strikeouts.

The Twins are starting right-handers Pablo López, Zebby Matthews and Bailey Ober.

Povich was a Twins third-round draft pick in 2021 before they traded him to the Orioles on Aug. 2, 2022 in a deal that also brought set-up man Yennier Cano. The Orioles really could turn it into a real revenge game and also use former Twins Danny Coulombe and Matt Bowman.

The Orioles are meeting to discuss their playoff roster. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is on the road trip, which isn’t unusual.

“Yeah, a little bit, different scenarios,” Hyde said. “We’ve discussed scenarios but we’re not setting anything in stone until we know exactly who we’re playing and where we’re playing.”

Hyde said he was “closely watching” today’s Royals-Nationals and Tigers-Rays games. Detroit scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning to win 4-3. A loss would have given the Orioles the home Wild Card in a series that begins Tuesday.

They can take care of their own business tonight.

“You’re watching but you also know that we need to do things ourselves,” Hyde said. “It’s all in our hands and it’s up to us. Played really well so far this series and hopefully it can continue.”