There is no joy in planning for a nightmare. But it’s a requirement for a big-league manager in October.
The Orioles’ situation got awfully nightmarish in a hurry against the Rangers in Game 2 of the ALDS. Rookie starter Grayson Rodriguez was chased out of the game in the second inning, falling behind in the count early and often, allowing plenty of contact on his fastball. And Baltimore skipper Brandon Hyde did not seem to have much of a plan for that.
The Orioles built a two-run lead in the first inning. Yet by the time Rodriguez was pulled in the second, they were down by three, and the bullpen had them losing by seven runs in the third. Their attempts at a comeback were not enough: Baltimore ultimately lost to Texas by a score of 11–8. The Orioles were the best team in the American League this year and won more than 100 games for the first time in decades. But their season is now on the brink as they go on the road down 0–2 in a best-of-five ALDS.
