The good thing for the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles is that one of them avoided a potential loss on Tuesday that would have meant elimination from playoff contention.
But following a postponed game due to weather, they now have a day-night doubleheader Wednesday in Baltimore, where the fate of both teams could be decided. These are the Orioles’ final home games of the season.
The Orioles (76-81) must win their remaining five games to avoid a losing record for the second year in a row. To make a run for the final American League wild-card spot, the Orioles also must win all five and watch the Chicago White Sox lose all five of their games left on the schedule. Baltimore is five games behind the White Sox but holds the tiebreaker.
The Blue Jays (77-80) are four games behind the White Sox and share the same scenario as the Orioles — five wins and five White Sox losses since Chicago owns the tiebreaker.
The elimination number for both teams is one. If the teams split the doubleheader or the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals, the playoff hunt is over Wednesday night.
“I know where we are with the standings, but couldn’t be more proud to be an Oriole, and this group, this organization, this city, just beyond appreciative to be a part of it,” Baltimore first baseman Pete Alonso said. “I’m really excited for not just the remaining few games of the season, but I’m excited for what we have coming down the pipe.”
The Orioles are 37-42 at home under first-year manager Craig Albernaz. The Blue Jays are 37-42 in road games this year.
Toronto hasn’t won a series in Baltimore since 2022. The Blue Jays will need a doubleheader sweep to end that string.
The Orioles rallied Monday night for a 4-3 victory, courtesy of two Alonso home runs. He has 40 home runs, which is fifth in the major leagues. He has 108 RBIs, third in the majors.
“Just being around him every single day, that’s been the most impressive thing,” Albernaz said. “The track record is there. Hitting 40 home runs and having over 100 RBIs in this league is really impressive and the consistency he does it, that doesn’t happen by accident. Just all the work he puts in behind the scenes.”
Even though Blue Jays reliever Tyler Rogers gave up Alonso’s winning two-run homer in the eighth inning Monday, Toronto manager John Schneider won’t be shy about turning to him again in upcoming games.
“Tyler is our guy,” Schneider said. “You trust him to make pitches like he has all year.”
Tuesday’s unscheduled day off gave the teams more time to monitor injuries suffered Monday by Blue Jays outfielder Brett Bateman (hip) and Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo. He took a foul tip off the face mask and later departed the game.
While Wednesday’s twin bill likely won’t impact the postseason pecking order, it could help determine the final American League East standings. The Blue Jays are fourth in the division and the Orioles stand fifth.
This will be Baltimore’s third home doubleheader and fourth overall this season.
Even at the beginning of the series on Monday, the teams hedged on naming starting pitchers for the series finale. Now, the outcome of Wednesday’s Game 1 could dictate the evening’s pitching plans. The teams had not named Game 2 starters as of Wednesday morning.
Right-hander Chris Bassitt (8-5, 4.64 ERA) is expected to start the opener for the Orioles. He’s bidding for a personal three-game winning streak. He is 1-1 with a 3.60 in five career appearances against the Blue Jays, for whom he played the previous three seasons.
Right-hander Max Scherzer (3-8, 6.07) is listed as the Toronto’s starter for the first game. If he picks up the victory, he’ll have back-to-back wins for the first time this year. This will mark his 17th start of the season, matching last year’s total. He is 7-5 with a 3.85 ERA against Baltimore, but has not beaten the Orioles since 2020.
Both teams are off Thursday before beginning their respective three-game series to end the regular season, with the Orioles going off to face the New York Yankees. The Blue Jays return home to meet the Cincinnati Reds.
–Field Level Media
