This, that and the other

The Orioles aren’t in a place in their collective lives when they can take an opponent lightly. Consecutive 100-loss seasons ruin that privilege.

However, they were vulnerable to a letdown after winning back-to-back series in Houston and Cleveland, and with the Blue Jays in town starting today for a huge four-game series.

In the middle were the lowly Oakland Athletics, who won three of four against the Orioles in April but are a disaster. This is a bad team because it was constructed that way. The sympathy runs deep in Baltimore.

“This is a young team that we’re playing against,” said manager Brandon Hyde, choosing more delicate words. “We’ve been in that situation before, also.”

Hyde emphasized the importance of winning yesterday, saying it was “extremely important” to finish what they started.

“I was interested to see how we were going to play coming off the road trip,” Hyde said.

They did fine for the first two games, especially Saturday night despite Austin Voth lasting only 3 1/3 innings. They hit five home runs in an 8-1 win, but they appeared flat yesterday while failing to complete the sweep.

Also crucial is for Hyde’s players to avoid treating today’s doubleheader and the next two games as if the entire season hinges on the results. They usually don’t get too hyped because they focus is on being consistent on the field and in their approach.  

Or as he said, “Not looking forward to the next series.”

They were locked into yesterday’s game. They just couldn’t unlock the bats, which happens a lot when Spenser Watkins starts.

“I think there’s just a trust there in the clubhouse with our talent level and just how intense we are throughout the games,” said Cedric Mullins. “Of course we have high expectations for each other, and at the same time I don’t think we’re putting any pressure on each other, so I think that definitely helps to go out there and play our best.”

* Quick revisit to Friday night:

The Athletics were second-guessed for playing the infield in after Adley Rutschman’s tie-breaking, bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning. Jorge Mateo grounded a two-run single through the left side on the next pitch.

There was one out. Play the infield back and maybe it’s a double play, without the concern for cutting down the runner at the plate. Keep the deficit at one.

I asked a few people with the Orioles who pointed out that another batter might have changed the strategy, but Mateo’s speed makes it virtually impossible to induce a double play.

Mateo already hit into one that night, 4-6-3 in the second inning, and I’m reminded of this because the A’s turned a 5-4-3 double play on him yesterday in the second. But maybe they were right to play the infield in Friday and it just didn’t work.

Your thoughts?

* Mateo stole his 30^th base yesterday and broke for third on Robinson Chirinos’ fly ball to shallow left field that ended the fifth inning.

Mullins is right behind Mateo with 29 steals and is certain to reach 30, giving the Orioles the first pair of teammates to do it since Brian Roberts and Corey Patterson in 2006 and 2007. Roberts had 36 and 50, Patterson 45 and 37.

They’re the only ones since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954. It happened six times with the St. Louis Browns per STATS.

There was some aggressive baserunning in 1913. Burt Shotton stole 43 bases, Jimmy Austin and Del Pratt 37, and Gus Williams 31.

Not the old NBA point guard.

* We know that Tyler Wells is making another injury rehab start in the minors this week and the Orioles are deciding whether to bring him back as a starter or reliever. I’m predicting bullpen role for the reason stated – it’s quicker to build him up for short spurts.

But what happened to Alexander Wells?

Well, well. I’ll pass along that he’s expected to pitch again on Friday for Triple-A Norfolk.

Wells’ last appearance was Aug. 19 against Durham, when he worked 2 2/3 innings and allowed three runs. His rehab assignment began on Aug. 9 in the Florida Complex League and progressed to one game with Double-A Bowie and one with Norfolk.

The Orioles are being careful with Wells, who last pitched for them on April 26 in New York and eventually went on the 60-day injured list with left elbow inflammation.

Don’t expect to see him back in Baltimore this season, especially with Tyler Wells’ eventual return and the possibility that Grayson Rodriguez debuts, but never say never.

* Do the Orioles make a roster move today to bring up a fresh arm for the doubleheader?

Bruce Zimmermann hasn’t pitched since Tuesday in Norfolk, when he tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings with three hits, no walks and eight strikeouts. He could provide length, and he’s on the 40-man roster.

The only potential downside is a Blue Jays lineup that leans heavily to the right.

Zimmermann’s last start with the Orioles was June 15 in Toronto and he allowed six runs and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings. He surrendered three home runs.

Nick Vespi, also a lefty, has pitched in back-to-back games. Is he vulnerable to being optioned for a fifth time this season?

* Double-A Bowie’s Connor Norby left Saturday’s game after being hit on the hand by a pitch. He appeared in yesterday’s lineup posted on Twitter, then was removed from it.

Not a scratch, as I first assumed.

I’m told that Norby had a scheduled day off. He gets more rest with Monday’s open date.

The Baysox are home Tuesday night for Rodriguez’s start.  

* Gunnar Henderson was born in Montgomery, Alabama and attended John T. Morgan Academy in Selma. He’s baseball’s No. 1 prospect, and his first major league hit was a home run. He’s played three infield positions, making another start yesterday at second base and turning in two impressive plays against the first two batters. He hit a foul ball down the right field line Saturday night that threatened to strike the warehouse.

There was just one very important question.

‘Bama or Auburn?

Babies must declare their allegiance at birth. Henderson is an Auburn fan, just like his father, and committed to the Tigers before the Orioles drafted him in 2019.

Henderson said his dad converted his mother, who used to root for the Crimson Tide. I didn’t think that was even possible. Aren’t there laws against it in the state?

His grandfather also was a huge ‘Bama fan. But Henderson's older brother, Jackson, played at Auburn.

The Orioles just want Henderson to keep rolling, no matter which school he supports.