The Orioles made an adjustment to their rotation by inserting left-hander Cade Povich last night and pushing back Kyle Bradish to tonight and Trevor Rogers to Wednesday afternoon.

Sixteen games in a row without a break this late in the season calls for extra rest whenever possible.

Bradish has struggled in his last two starts, allowing three earned runs and five total with eight hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Yankees and seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in St. Louis. His ERA has increased from 3.65 to 4.03.

Tonight marks Bradish’s 27th start this season after he combined for only 14 in 2024-25 due to an elbow injury that required reconstructive surgery. His career high is 30 in 2023, when he finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting.

To be revealed later is whether the Orioles are going with a six-man alignment, moving Povich to the bullpen or optioning him. They can add an extra pitcher today to their expanded roster. Outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is expected to be the new position player.

Manager Craig Albernaz told the media in Denver yesterday that using six starters is TBD and “on the table.” A reliever could be called up and still allow the Orioles to carry another starter.

It won’t be Félix Bautista, who needs more work before the Orioles reinstate him from the injured list.

Bradish has surrendered only two earned runs in the first inning this season for a 0.69 ERA that ties Kevin Brown in 1995 for lowest by an Oriole since 1976 in a minimum 25 outings.

The list includes Bradish again with a 0.90 first-inning ERA in 2023. Wayne Garland had a 1.05 ERA in 1976, and Rogers posted a 1.08 ERA last season.

According to STATS, Bradish could become the second player in the last 50 years to register multiple seasons with a sub-1.00 ERA in the first inning in a minimum 25 innings after Gio Gonzalez in 2015 and 2018.

Bradish allowed two runs in six innings in his only career start against the Rockies in 2023 at Camden Yards.

*The Orioles were sellers at the deadline but also felt that they could overcome the trades of Adley Rutschman, Taylor Ward, Tyler Wells and Dean Kremer and make the playoffs as a Wild Card.

They spun in the other direction by claiming Robert on waivers and taking the $4.89 million left on his contract, including a $2 million buyout. This isn’t seller behavior. This is a postseason push, giving the lineup another right-handed bat that slashes .285/.359/.497 against left-handers.

Robert also strengthens the bench, whether he’s on it or pushing other players into a reserve role. And if it doesn’t work out, the Orioles can let him walk. The price wasn’t exorbitant and didn’t force them to part with any prospects.

*Outfielder Colton Cowser began last night slugging .581 in August compared to .103 in July.

The 478-point increase was the third largest in team history in consecutive months in a minimum 50 plate appearances, per STATS.

Dick Brown had a .682-point increase in 1964, going from .207 in July to .889 in August. Jim Gentile went from .442 in June 1961 to .930 in July for a .487 increase.

Behind Cowser is Aubrey Huff in 2007 with an increase of .465 from July to August and Charles Johnson in 1999 with an increase of .452 from April to May.

*Blaze Alexander was batting .331 against right-handers before last night, behind only Yordan Álvarez (.337) among players in a minimum 150 plate appearances.

Alexander’s .331 average would be the highest in a season by an Oriole against right-handers in a minimum 150 plate appearances since Brian Roberts in 2005 (.332).

*A leftover from Sunday:

Gunnar Henderson became the second major league shortstop in the expansion era to have at least four hits, two homers and a triple in a game.

The other? Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. on April 13, 1991 in Texas.

*Another Sunday extra:

Coby Mayo hit his sixth three-run homer of the season, tying him with the Yankees’ Ben Rice for most in the American League.

Mayo has the most three-run homers by an Oriole in a season since Renato Nuñez totaled seven in 2019.

*The Orioles are partnering again with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for their annual “Law Enforcement Appreciation Nights” on Sept. 8-9.

Tickets are available for games against the Guardians at a special discounted rate starting at $16.50, with $10 donated to NLEOMF.

Fans are encouraged to use the promo code NLEOOffer26.