Wojciechowski the starter choice over Akin

Nothing against Asher Wojciechowski, who's been chosen to make today's start for the Orioles to close out the series in D.C., but confirmation that he'd get the assignment stung a fan base that's itching to watch Keegan Akin's major league debut.

The Orioles recalled Akin from the alternate camp site in Bowie and the jumping to conclusions looked like an Olympic event.

They needed a starter with John Means away from the team. A bullpen game was an undesirable option. Akin was summoned to uphold his status as the pitching prospect most likely to reach the majors first.

There's an old saying that if you keep listening to the fans you'll end up sitting with them, though it's harder to do with the restrictions on access. But the point stands.

Manager Brandon Hyde appreciates the homegrown angle and the desire to have these prospects begin to filter onto the roster, the easier to stomach the pains of a rebuild. But he's trying to limit the disruption to his rotation only a couple of weeks into the season and Akin is going to get that start down the 2020 road.

Akin is with the team for the weekend. What happens beyond it now is included among the many uncertainties attached to the season.

"We have an off-day the next day," Hyde said. "It's this time of year where it's August and you've got 40-something games to go and you try to look ahead, but also things change on a daily basis. So, off-day, we'll see what happens."

Akin was a nice, young insurance policy last night in case Thomas Eshelman suffered an early knockout. David Hess covered the last two innings of Friday night's series opener, his first appearance since July 24 in Boston. A pitcher was needed who had been stretched out to work long relief.

The Orioles did it to Akin at the alternate camp site by giving him starts in intrasquad games.

Wojciechowski made two starts against the Nationals last season and allowed eight runs and 12 hits in 9 1/3 innings.

Juan Soto is 2-for-5 with a triple and home run against Wojciechowski. Kurt Suzuki is 2-for-3 with two home runs.

The Orioles are facing Stephen Strasburg, who's making his season debut. He's recovered from an injury to his right wrist.

Strasburg has made three career starts against the Orioles, all in D.C., and allowed eight earned runs (10 total) in 18 innings. He's struck out 26 batters.

Chris Davis is 2-for-8 with three strikeouts against Strasburg. José Iglesias is 1-for-5 with a double.

A selection of small sample sizes for Strasburg.