Vanessa: Coby Mayo with an inside-the-park home run. Pete Alonso hitting his 300th career blast against his former team. And the Orioles still finding a way to win, even with a roster that looks like a medical ward. That is the story of Tuesday night in Queens.
Nick: It was absolute chaos at Citi Field. An 11-inning thriller that had us all on the edge of our seats until the final out. The Orioles took it 7-5, but let’s be real—their record sits at 74-78, fifth in the AL East. We are deep into the dog days of September.
Vanessa: Right. So we are here for tonight’s preview. Game Two of this series against the New York Mets. We’re breaking down who is pitching, what the injury report actually means for the lineup today, and how the bullpen handled that extra two innings last night.
Nick: Exactly. Last night proved that when the bats click, anything can happen. But now we have to look ahead. Who starts? Who gets the ball in the late innings? And with Shane Baz day-to-day after being hit by a liner, how does the rotation shake up?
Vanessa: Here is your roadmap for tonight. First, we talk about the pitching matchup and who is on the mound for Baltimore. Second, we dive into the injury log—because it is long—and see who is actually available to play. And third, we give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction. Let’s get into it.
Vanessa: Okay, Nick. Let’s start with the big picture. Last night was a classic. Pete Alonso ties it in the ninth with his 300th homer, and then Coby Mayo goes nuclear in the 11th. But for tonight, we need to know who is starting. Do we have a probable yet?
Nick: We don’t have a confirmed probable listed in the data just yet, but looking at the roster depth, Trevor Rogers or Brandon Young are the likely candidates if Chris Bassitt isn't going again so soon. Bassitt started yesterday, so he’s off the hook for tonight unless they want to go five days in a row, which they won’t.
Vanessa: Fair point. If it’s Rogers or Young, we’re talking about younger arms trying to close out the season. How does that compare to the Mets’ rotation situation? We know they’re fighting for playoff positioning too, though their standing is different from ours.
Nick: The Mets are in a tighter race, obviously. They can’t afford to lose games like they might have earlier in the year. But facing Baltimore right now? It’s tricky. You’ve got a young Baltimore offense that just showed they can explode for runs. If the starter doesn’t keep the game low-scoring, the bullpen has to work overtime.
Vanessa: And speaking of the bullpen, remember Shane Baz getting hit by Bo Bichette’s 105.1 mph liner last night? He exited immediately. He’s listed as day-to-day. That’s huge news for the rotation depth.
Nick: Yeah, that was scary to watch. A liner that fast directly to the arm. I’m glad he walked off, but you never know with those things. If Baz is out even a few days, that puts pressure on Cam Sanders or Andrew Kittredge to eat innings if the starter gets shelled early.
Vanessa: It really highlights how thin this staff is. We talked about this yesterday—how injuries are dictating every single move. If Rogers or Young takes the hill tonight, they need to go deep. There is no luxury of a quick hook anymore.
Nick: Agreed. And look, the Mets are tough at home at Citi Field. The short porch in right field punishes mistakes. If the Orioles’ starter leaves one over the plate, especially to someone like Alonso, it’s gone. It’s a high-variance spot for whoever starts.
Vanessa: So, high stakes, young pitcher, dangerous hitter. It’s exactly the kind of game where momentum shifts in seconds. But before we get into the lineup, let’s take a quick breath. Hey everyone, if these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small tip is what keeps us bringing you free, detailed coverage every single day. Please consider supporting the show via the link in the episode description. It helps us keep the lights on and the stats fresh.
Vanessa: Alright, let’s talk about who is actually playing. The injury list for Baltimore is staggering. We have Cionel Perez and Devin Williams on the 15-Day IL. Jorge Polanco, Reed Garrett, and Tylor Megill are on the 60-Day IL. Plus Luis Robert Jr., Blaze Alexander, and Christian Franklin are out too.
Nick: It’s a graveyard out there. When you look at that list, you realize why the record is 74-78. This isn’t a small sample size; this is a structural issue. Having Polanco, Garrett, and Megill on the 60-Day IL means they are essentially done for the year. That’s three key contributors lost.
Vanessa: And Shane Baz being day-to-day adds more uncertainty. What does that do to the everyday lineup? Who is catching? Who is filling in at first base now that Alonso is settled in?
Nick: Well, Pete Alonso is playing first. He had a monster game last night. But defensively, he’s not a Gold Glover. In the outfield, you’ve got Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, and Rece Hinds. Beavers was huge against Toronto last time, and he looked good here too. He’s probably locking down left field.
Vanessa: And in center, it’s Cowser. He’s been solid. But the biggest question mark is the catcher. With Samuel Basallo and Carlos Narvaez both listed as day-to-day or dealing with minor issues, do we see Yohel Pozo behind the plate?
Nick: It’s very likely. Pozo hasn’t had the most consistent offensive track record, but if Basallo and Narvaez are limited, he’s the guy. And that changes the dynamic slightly. You’re relying on the pitchers to carry the load because the bat from the catcher position might be quieter.
Vanessa: That’s a tough pill to swallow. You want production from every spot. But let’s look at the middle of the order. Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday. Are they healthy? Any reports on them?
Nick: Both seem healthy. Henderson hit a tiebreaker homer Monday night against the Mets. He’s in a great groove. Holliday is doing his thing at second base. And then you have Coby Mayo at third. He just hit an inside-the-park home run. The man has speed and power.
Vanessa: I still can’t believe that inside-the-park home run. It was wild. But Nick, does Mayo stay at third? Or does Christian Encarnacion-Strand see more time? With the defensive questions elsewhere, maybe they shuffle things around.
Nick: Encarnacion-Strand is a power threat, but Mayo is having the better all-around game right now. I’d expect Mayo to start. And don’t forget, Jeremy Jackson is also on the roster at second base, giving them options if Holliday needs a rest or gets hot.
Vanessa: So, healthy core guys, shaky catchers, and a bullpen that just went 11 innings. That’s the reality heading into tonight. It’s not pretty, but it’s competitive.
Vanessa: Let’s wrap this up with some keys to the series and a prediction. We know the Orioles split the series last year, but our prediction on Monday was that they would sweep. They didn’t—they won Tuesday, but we need to see if they can close it out tonight.
Nick: Right. So, key number one: Pitching depth. Whoever starts tonight cannot allow lead-off hits. If the Mets get runners on early, the Orioles’ depleted bench makes it hard to manufacture runs. They need to rely on the big flies from Henderson, Alonso, and Mayo.
Vanessa: Key number two: Bullpen management. They used a lot of arms last night. Yennier Cano, Luis De Leon, Alex Hoppe, Andrew Kittredge—all were in the mix. Can they handle another heavy night? Or do they need to save arms for a potential Game Three tomorrow?
Nick: That’s the dilemma. If they win tonight, they might rest guys tomorrow. If they lose, they’re back to square one. My bold prediction? The Orioles win tonight. Not because they’re dominant, but because Pete Alonso and Coby Mayo are on a roll. Alonso just hit his 300th homer against his old team—he wants to send a message. Mayo has the legs to score any run.
Vanessa: I love that. Alonso feeding off the crowd at Citi Field is a fun narrative. And Mayo’s energy is infectious. I’ll take the Orioles to steal this win. Maybe not a sweep, but a win tonight. 5-4 or something messy like that.
Nick: Messy wins are the best kind right now. They show resilience. With the injuries piling up, you have to appreciate the guys stepping up. Beavers, Mayo, Alonso, Henderson—they are carrying the load.
Vanessa: There you have it. Another gritty win for the O’s, fueled by Alonso’s historic night and Mayo’s incredible athleticism. We’ll be back tomorrow with a full recap and preview of whatever comes next. Thanks for listening!
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