Orioles clinch top wild-card spot as Povich makes pitch for postseason roster

MINNEAPOLIS–What happened? The Orioles clinched home-field advantage in the wild-card series with a 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. The Orioles don’t know if they’ll play Detroit or Kansas City in the best-of-three series that begins Tuesday at Camden Yards.

Cade Povich allowed just two hits in 5 2/3 scoreless innings against his former team.

Ryan O’Hearn hit a two-run home run, his first in exactly a month, and Colton Cowser hit his 24th.

The Orioles added on to their lead with a four-run eighth inning that began with four straight singles.

“We’re disappointed that we didn’t win the division, but to get home field through the wild card is huge,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We’re gonna be pumped to play in front of our fans. We know there’s gonna be a lot of energy and excitement in the ballpark and our guys are really looking forward to that.”

What does home field mean? The Orioles lost their two home games to Texas in the Division Series last year despite having the best record in the American League. Still, they’re delighted to have all the wild-card games at home.

“It’s insane. It’s incredible, actually,” O’Hearn said. “How loud it is. Looking forward to hearing the ‘O’ in the National Anthem. Just seeing the energy in the stadium. Hopefully, going to put on a show for our home fans and avenge how last year’s postseason games went.”

The Orioles had a chance to win the division but a stretch this month in which they lost five consecutive series eliminated their chance to repeat.

“Of course, you want to win the division,” O’Hearn said. “Disappointed with how things unfolded, but we’re in and we get to start at home, and that’s huge. We get to play games at home, starting Tuesday, and anything can happen. We’re happy we’re in. We’re happy we’ve got home-field advantage in the wild card, and we’re ready to go.”

Is O’Hearn starting to get hot? O’Hearn’s home run, his 14th, was just his third since the All-Star break, all on the road. His last home run in Baltimore came on June 26^th.

“I think over the last two weeks, swings have been better,” O’Hearn said. “I’ve had better at-bats, hitting the ball hard and contributing more than I was previously to that. Just kind of keep going, trying to continue to dial it in. I feel good right now, feel good where I’m at. At this point, the most important thing is that the team wins. I want to be right in the middle of it, helping us win games in the postseason.”

O’Hearn is happy to have Ryan Mountcastle, Ramón Urías and Jordan Westburg back in the Orioles’ lineup.

“Just adding those guys, lengthening the lineup, giving us that depth,” O’Hearn said. “That’s how we were rolling early in the year was just quality at-bats up and down the lineup, one through nine. It didn’t really matter where we were in the lineup, every guy had the potential to do damage. I think that’s something that is about strength. To have those guys back is a game-changer for sure.”

How big was this start for Povich? Povich was traded from the Twins to the Orioles in  August 2022 in the deal that sent Jorge López to Minnesota.

He said that facing the Twins wasn’t a big deal.

“My fianceé’s from here, being closer to family, that’s kind of what meant a lot to me, and then just trying to give us an opportunity to stay in Baltimore for the wild card,” he said.

Povich struck out two, but threw the 10 fastest pitches of his career, hitting 96 mph.

“I think today I was just smooth,” Povich said. “I think when I was with Minnesota, for the first couple innings of some of my starts with them, I would kind of be in that mid-90s spot, so I guess maybe that just came back a little bit today. But felt good. Just, I think, a lot of it is just kind of the work that has been taken into account throughout the entire year, with mechanics and in the weight room and training room.”

The 24-year-old left-hander has a 2.60 ERA in five September starts.

“Definitely pleased. You know, I understand the roster, I understand me being young,” Povich said. “But just treating every start as kind of a tryout for the postseason, giving my best to hopefully get a chance in the postseason, and I’m very pleased with how this last month went.”

Povich is trying to force his way on the postseason roster.

“I definitely hope so, of course,” he said. “I want to do whatever I can to help this team, help this team host a wild-card spot, help this team in the postseason, whichever way possible that I can.”

Hyde is impressed with the way Povich has pitched this month.

“He keeps getting better,” Hyde said. “The command has improved, up to 96 tonight. Nine righties in their lineup and just an outstanding job of mixing speeds, working ahead of hitters. He just keeps getting better.”

What does it mean? Povich did a fine job auditioning for a possible postseason spot in his start. The Orioles have 14 pitchers, and the postseason limit is 13. He should be on the playoff roster.

What’s the word? “I heard a hitting coach one time told me, ‘You want to be a surgeon, not a butcher.’ I think that’s very true. Kind of being smooth and catching the ball out front, making sure I hit the barrel and the ball’s going to go.”-O’Hearn on his hitting philosophy.

What’s the stat of the day? 2.70. Oriole starters have a 2.70 ERA in their last eight games.

What’s next? The Orioles haven’t decided on their starter for either Saturday or Sunday. Minnesota will start Zebby Matthews (1-3, 5.71). The game will be shown exclusively on FOX at 7:15 p.m.