Vanessa: Pete Alonso just blasted a 471-foot home run to take over the AL lead with forty-three dingers, and now the Baltimore Orioles are back in the Bronx for a crucial finale against the New York Yankees.
Nick: It’s a high-stakes preview as we look at how an injured roster fights through another tough series against a division rival.
Vanessa: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, America's number one daily sports podcast network! I’m Vanessa, and I’m joined by Nick.
Nick: Hey everyone. It’s great to be here.
Vanessa: We’ve got three big things for you today. First, we’re breaking down the pitching matchup for tomorrow’s game on September 27th. Second, we’re talking about the heavy lift from Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson despite the injuries. And third, we’re looking at the bullpen questions that could decide this series.
Nick: Let’s get right into it.
Vanessa: Nick, yesterday we talked about Chris Bassitt potentially starting, but now we have to look at who is actually on the mound for this elimination-style game against the Yankees. The Yankees are coming off a 6-3 win on Friday night.
Nick: Right. And looking at the roster, Kyle Bradish is out on the sixty-day IL, so he’s not an option. We have Trevor Rogers and Brandon Young available in the rotation alongside Chris Bassitt and Shane Baz.
Vanessa: So if we’re picking a probable, who do you see getting the call? The Yankees have Clarke Schmidt on the fifteen-day IL, which opens up some spots for them too.
Nick: I think Shane Baz makes sense here. He’s been solid when healthy, and facing a Yankees lineup that’s missing Aaron Judge on the ten-day IL gives us a slight edge in terms of offensive firepower compared to their usual lineup.
Vanessa: That’s a good point. Even without Judge, the Yankees still have Pete Alonso going the other way, and he’s hot. He homered twice in that doubleheader opener to reach forty-three home runs.
Nick: Exactly. Forty-three is a huge number. But defensively, the Orioles need Baz to keep the ball in the park. If he can limit extra-base hits, he has a chance to hold the Yankees to a low score.
Vanessa: What about the Yankees' rotation? With Schmidt out, do they go with someone like Gerrit Cole or bring up a minor leaguer?
Nick: The brief doesn’t list anyone else explicitly, but usually, they’ll lean on their ace. If Cole starts, it’s a tougher battle for the Orioles. But remember, Giancarlo Stanton is on the sixty-day IL, so the middle of their order is weakened.
Vanessa: Stanton being out is a big deal for their power numbers. So, if Baz pitches well, the Orioles have a real shot to even the series or win the finale. Let’s talk about the offense.
Nick: Offensively, it’s all about Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson. Yesterday, I predicted Pete would drive in at least one run, and he delivered with those two bombs.
Vanessa: He’s been incredible. But the injury list is massive. Ryan Mountcastle is out on the sixty-day IL, and Trent Grisham is on the ten-day IL. That hurts the outfield depth significantly.
Nick: It does. Dylan Beavers and Heston Kjerstad will likely see more time in left field, and Colton Cowser or Christian Franklin in center. The defensive positioning might be a bit shaky against a strong Yankees lineup.
Vanessa: And on the infield, we have Jose Barrero at shortstop and Jeremiah Jackson at second. They need to be sharp. What about the catching tandem? Carlos Narvaez and Yohel Pozo are there.
Nick: Narvaez brings experience. Against a team like the Yankees, pitch framing and knowing how to handle their hitters is key. If they can get ahead in the count, it helps the rest of the staff.
Vanessa: Speaking of the staff, let’s talk about the bullpen. Felix Bautista is our closer, but he’s often managed carefully late in the season.
Nick: Bautista is elite when he’s healthy. But if the game goes into extra innings or gets tight in the ninth, we might see Yennier Cano or Andrew Kittredge involved. They’ve had good stints this year.
Vanessa: What about Rico Garcia and Alex Hoppe? They’re options too. The Orioles need depth because they can’t rely on just one or two arms every day.
Nick: Exactly. If the starter doesn’t go deep, the bullpen has to work harder. That’s where guys like Anthony Nunez or Josh Walker could step in. It’s a wide-open competition in the relief corps right now.
Vanessa: With Luis Robert Jr. also on the ten-day IL, the White Sox rivalry angle isn’t as relevant, but it shows how injuries are spreading across the league. The Orioles are managing a lot of absences.
Nick: Blaze Alexander is out too. The young infielders need to step up. Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third base provide some pop, but they need to protect themselves defensively.
Vanessa: So, the key is balancing the offensive firepower of Alonso and Henderson with a disciplined approach from the rest of the lineup. No easy outs for the Yankees’ pitchers.
Nick: Agreed. Plate discipline will be huge. If the Orioles can force the Yankees’ starters to throw strikes early, they can exploit the gaps in the defense.
Vanessa: Alright, Nick, let’s get to our keys to the series. What’s the one thing the Orioles must do to win this final matchup against the Yankees?
Nick: Control the strike zone. The Yankees have a powerful lineup, but they also strike out a lot. If the Orioles’ pitchers can keep the balls in the dirt and force contact, they win.
Vanessa: I love that. And what about the offense? How do they capitalize on the Yankees’ weaknesses?
Nick: Attack the middle of the order. With Stanton and Judge out, there are gaps in the lineup. Alonso and Henderson should look to hit behind the pitcher or in the sixth and seventh innings when the relievers come in.
Vanessa: Bold prediction time. I’m saying the Orioles win this game. Alonso goes deep again, and Shane Baz gets the win.
Nick: I’ll go along with that. The momentum from Friday’s doubleheader victory is real. The Orioles feed off that energy.
Vanessa: Before we wrap up, I want to say something quick. If you’ve enjoyed these previews and breakdowns, and found value in our analysis of the Orioles’ chances, please consider supporting us. Your help keeps this show free and daily. Just check the link in the episode description to chip in. It means the world to us.
Nick: Thanks for listening, everyone. We’ll be back tomorrow with a recap of the game.
Vanessa: Subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Go Birds!