Pregame notes on Tuesday's attendance, Coby Mayo's defense (plus O's lineup)

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde gave some props to the fans today. The Orioles-Cubs game last night, the series opener that Chicago won 9-2, saw an attendance of 30,373.

According to the Baltimore Sun, that was the largest Tuesday night crowd at Oriole Park since the Orioles and Mets drew 34,068 on Aug. 18, 2015.

“You know, I remember it when we had some 8,000 nights," said Hyde. "So, to have 30,000, wish we would have played better. To have people support us, the fans and the area support us the way they are, it’s a noticeable difference.

“You just feel more of a buzz. More of a buzz in the crowd and you are not hearing individual conversations above your dugout. It’s more of a big baseball feel. You hear the roar of the crowd instead of individual sections.”

At this point there are four Orioles headed to the All-Star Game in Texas: starters Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, along with pitcher Corbin Burnes and infielder Jordan Westburg.

If the O’s get no other last-minute injury-replacement players (Westburg's on the American League roster in place of the ailing Rafael Devers), Hyde is happy that at least some of his players will get time away from the game and time to rest up from a busy first half.

”That’s really important time (away),” said Hyde. “Right now everybody has something. You know, there are some nicked up, maybe some more than others.

“To have a few days of rest to physically get better, but also mentally. I think that might be the bigger break that you need at this point. Both things come at the right time and you can kind of recharge your batteries for the second half."

Hyde also today again recounted the strangeness of Tuesday pregame. Westburg was getting interviewed by reporters about not making the All-Star Game at the very time the O’s were finding out he did make it.

“I waited for him to get to the ballpark and I wanted to share it with our hitting guys and infield coach, Tony Mansolino," Hyde said. "Once the media was done talking to him about the disappointment of not making it, then we talked to him in my office.

“And that was a special moment. Those are the moments that hit you hard when you do this job. It’s so rewarding. This thing is so tough, and so when you get to share news that is going to be super special for somebody it means a lot."

Hyde was asked today if Coby Mayo's defense is progressing at Triple-A Norfolk. Batting .308 with an OPS of 1.037 for the Tides, Mayo has hit 21 homers and is credited with 60 RBIs. He has now made 12 starts at first base and 48 at third.

“It sounds like it’s improving," Hyde replied. "Think he played first last night, so he’s playing third and first. Obviously, he is swinging the bat well and the defense is improving. Following him very closely."

Finally, Hyde joked about how he and his coaching staff will handle time away during the All-Star break.

“I’m going to work every day during the break. I’m going to be setting lineups and reading all your columns I didn’t get a chance to throughout the year,” he said, laughing.

“I’m actually going to go to a travel ball tournament at East Cobb. So I will be still involved in baseball. I will just be baking in the Atlanta heat watching my son play.”

O's lineup tonight vs. lefty Shota Imanaga:

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Austin Hays LF
Jorge Mateo 2B
Colton Cowser CF
James McCann C

Corbin Burnes RHP

Burnes has 12 quality starts over his last 13 games and is 6-3 with a 2.16 ERA in that span. He is 5-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 10 home starts and the O's are 7-3 in those games.