Burnes named Orioles’ Game 1 starter in Wild Card, plus other notes

MINNEAPOLIS – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has made it official. Corbin Burnes will start Game 1 of the Wild Card game at Camden Yards on Tuesday.

Burnes, of course, was the logical choice, and Hyde was already talking about shortening his appearance at Yankee Stadium because he would take regular rests in his next rotation. Burnes was ticketed for Opening Day and Game 1 will begin once the Orioles acquired him from the Brewers this winter for DL ​​Hall and Joey Ortiz.

The rest of the playoff rotation was not dealt today. Hyde said he would only announce Burnes, but Zach Eflin is expected to pitch in Wednesday and Dean Kremer in Game 3 if necessary.

The opponent and times have not been determined. The Tigers lost today and have a half-game lead over the Royals for fifth seed. Kansas City owns the tiebreaker.

Burnes made playoff appearances with the Brewers, but only two starts. He gave up six runs and 11 hits, six walks and 22 strikeouts in 19 innings.

Albert Suárez will start Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Twins, setting him back one day. A decision awaits on whether he will be cut as well, with a bullpen role awaiting him in the Wild Card round.

Kremer would have started on Sunday under normal circumstances.

Matt Bowman is the opener tonight and Hyde said left-hander Tucker Davidson will get the bulk of the game. The Orioles selected his contract earlier today.

“We’re getting some relievers in the short inning,” Hyde said. “Guys who throw tonight won’t throw tomorrow. We’re checking everyone a little now. We want to make sure everyone is as fresh as possible on Tuesday. And we need everyone available for at least two of those games.

“We’re going to see how the game goes today and see if the guys should throw today or tomorrow.”

The club is discussing the composition of the Wild Card roster and whether it will bring twelve or thirteen pitchers.

“I think it’s all possible,” Hyde said. “We’ll have a scheduling meeting when we get back to town. I think everything is on the table now. We don’t know who we’re playing against yet, so a lot of things have to be factored into that.”

Hyde appreciates the opportunity to rest some players over the next two days. Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Jordan Westburg are on the bench for the penultimate game.

“Nice to upset Gunnar,” Hyde said. “Nice to get Westburg, guys who have been grinding a lot. A couple of guys I’d like to get some at-bats with: Mounty (Ryan Mountcastle) and (Ramón) Urías. Westy needs a break, so nice to be able to give him the day off today. Gunnar definitely deserves a day off today. Ced also plays a lot.

“Everyone is going to play in the next two days.”