Very few games are "must-win," but Orioles have one today

After Orioles starting pitchers covered just eight innings in the 2023 American League Division Series versus Texas, O’s 2024 ace Corbin Burnes matched that innings total in one night.

He was that good.

But even giving up one run was too many on this night as the Orioles were held to five hits, went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and were shutout 1-0 by Kansas City in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card round.

The Orioles had scored 22 runs in a three-game sweep at Minnesota and 56 runs with a team OPS of .797 in their last 10 regular season games.

But the O’s have now been blanked four times since Sept. 8 and that is a 20-game span.

When Bobby Witt Jr. singled on a first-pitch cutter with two outs and a man on third in the sixth inning he scored the game’s only run. For me I’m pitching around a .332 hitter with 109 RBIs and taking my chances elsewhere.

Manager Brandon Hyde indicated he let Burnes make that call.

Burnes was most unhappy that he walked No. 9 hitter Maikel Garcia with one out. He stole second and moved up on a grounder.

"The walk hurt, the walk cost us the game," Burnes said. "I attack him a little better and don't walk him, we get through there and it's a 0-0 ballgame and we've got a chance. Unfortunately, the one big swing today from Bobby was the deciding factor in that game."

Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said he was not surprised that the O's and Burnes pitched to Witt.

"I mean, that guy (Burnes) was incredible today. I mean, he's got incredible stuff. He locates. You know, that's your best pitcher and our best hitter. That's why you play this game, right. But I would have been more surprised if he had walked him," he said. 

And we can debate the decision to pitch to Witt forever, but Burnes and the O’s gave up one run and lost. You should win games when you do that. This Orioles loss was not about a pitching decision.

Cedric Mullins doubled leading off third inning but did not score. They had first and third with one out in the fifth, but lefty Cole Ragans fanned James McCann and Gunnar Henderson. The O’s stranded two in the eighth when Anthony Santander grounded out. They got a leadoff walk in the ninth, but two strikeouts and a flyball later, this game was over.

They went 1-for-7 with runners scoring position while K.C. went 1-for-3. The O’s one hit with a RISP advanced a runner from second to third but did not score him.

It’s frustrating that the Orioles have a nine-game postseason losing streak. Also frustrating that six of those losses are by two runs or less.

They are now 0-5 in the playoffs versus Kansas City, losing those games in 2014 and last night by two, two, one, one, and one run. Five losses by seven runs.

Yep, frustrating.

Quatraro said the game was played in a great atmosphere at Camden Yards. He's obviously delighted his club is halfway to a series win.

"Yeah, you definitely want Game 1, right, and we did just enough on the offensive side. The pitching was remarkable.

"The atmosphere was great. I mean, you could tell right away, right from the anthem when they scream, "O" it was loud. But it helps when you're not letting them get on the board to keep things in check.

"So other than that, you know, these are great fans. We know it's a great baseball city and it's fun to be in this environment."

Now, the Orioles have to win. Very few games are “must win.” Today's Game 2 with Kansas City is one of them.

"It's win or go home," Burnes said. "I think this is a team that I'd be willing to run out there against anyone. Looking forward to going home, getting some sleep, come back tomorrow and watch those guys do their thing."

Added Hyde: “I think everybody understands the position we're in, and we need to win tomorrow," Hyde said. "I don't think it's a team meeting rally cry. I think everybody fully understands what the situation is.”

Eflin starts today: Right-handers take the mound today as the O's Zach Eflin (10-9, 3.59 ERA) faces Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00 ERA) at 4:38 p.m.

The Orioles have gone 7-2 in Eflin's nine starts and he is 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA in those games. He has seven quality starts in nine Baltimore outings.

"You look at it as an opportunity, you know," said Eflin after last night's game. "We have an opportunity to right the ship (today) and we are going to show up prepared and be ready to go.

"I think at the end of the day you treat it like any other game. Obviously knowing the circumstances behind the game, but you've got to be free and easy and play this game like that.

"So I keep telling you guys, we're going to have some fun tomorrow and play some good baseball."

Lugo has allowed four runs or more in nine of 33 starts and one time was against the Orioles. He gave up four runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 on April 21. But over his past six starts, he has gone 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA.