masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgChance Sisco is going to catch Thomas Eshelman tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Nationals in D.C.
Sisco came off the bench last night in an 11-0 win, but he’s behind the plate tonight and Pedro Severino is among the reserves.
Hanser Alberto stays in the leadoff spot and Austin Hays remains at the bottom of the lineup.
Dwight Smith Jr. is the left fielder again and Chris Davis continues to bat eighth.
A lineup very similar to last night. Because it ain’t broke.
With…

Chance Sisco is going to catch Thomas Eshelman tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Nationals in D.C.

Sisco came off the bench last night in an 11-0 win, but he’s behind the plate tonight and Pedro Severino is among the reserves.

Hanser Alberto stays in the leadoff spot and Austin Hays remains at the bottom of the lineup.

Dwight Smith Jr. is the left fielder again and Chris Davis continues to bat eighth.

A lineup very similar to last night. Because it ain’t broke.

With four hits last night, José Iglesias is 15-for-33 with seven doubles on the season. He’s also become one of the leaders on a team that misses Trey Mancini.

“It’s something that I got an opportunity to learn from the best,” he said last night on his Zoom conference call. “I got an opportunity to play with Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Kevin Youklis, Miguel Cabrera and Torii Hunter. So many players that I’ve been a part of in their career, and at some point they did the same thing with me, so it’s in my DNA and that’s my culture of being a leader and helping the younger players to minimize failure, because we’re going to fail. It’s just a matter of making it shorter. That’s the key.”

Iglesias-Swings-Black-Fenway-Sidebar.jpgAccording to the Elias Sports Bureau, Iglesias’ seven doubles in his first 10 games are the most in Orioles history through a player’s first 10 games of a season.

“He’s just taking really good at-bats,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “I love his approach. He is a middle-of-the-field approach, short to the ball, never pulling off. Just looking to hit a line drive hard through the big part of the field. And I see him talking hitting with our guys a lot. He’s showing incredible veteran leadership, pulling guys aside. He’s been incredibly helpful talking on defense.

“Since I managed him in the fall league in 2009 I think I’ve only seen him once in Detroit a few years back in an interleague series, and if you guys would have seen him in 2009 compared to now, it makes you feel great. He is so mature and such a smart player and knows pitchers and knows how to take at-bats and is helpful with our players. He’s off to a great start and it’s great to see.”

Iglesias was signed for his glove. The offensive explosion is a tremendous and unanticipated bonus.

“I don’t think anybody expected that,” Hyde said. “He did have a nice year offensively for Cincinnati. He’s always been a line drive hitter, a guy that’s got some sneaky power at times. He’s off to a good start. We’re still really early into this, but I just like the way he’s swinging the bat right now. I know he’s in a good place. I’ve just got to keep him healthy. Obviously, he’s a major contributor for us offensively and defensively and off to a wonderful start. Just got to try to keep him out there.”

Eshelman’s only appearance came in relief Tuesday night against the Marlins, when he allowed only a solo home run to Jesús Aguilar over 3 1/3 innings.

Eshelman has never faced the Nationals.

Washington right-hander Austin Voth started on July 28 against the Blue Jays and allowed two earned runs (three total) over five innings. In his only career start against the Orioles last year, he held them to one run over six innings in the Nationals’ 8-1 win at Camden Yards.

Alberto homered for the only run and had two hits.

Voth owns a career 2.88 ERA and 0.845 WHIP in seven games in D.C. and a 5.40 ERA and 1.463 WHIP in seven games on the road.

Last night’s 11-0 win was the largest shutout victory by a team coming off a 100-loss season against a defending World Series champion in major league history, per STATS. It also was the eighth road shutout of at least 11 runs in Orioles history, and their largest since Sept. 4, 2012 (12-0 at Toronto).

For the Orioles
Hanser Alberto 2B
Anthony Santander RF
José Iglesias SS
Rio Ruiz 3B
Renato Núñez DH
Chance Sisco C
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Chris Davis 1B
Austin Hays CF

Thomas Eshelman RHP

For the Nationals
Trea Turner SS
Adam Eaton RF
Starlin Castro 2B
Juan Soto LF
Howie Kendrick DH
Eric Thames 1B
Asdrúbal Cabrera 3B
Kurt Suzuki C
Victor Robles CF

Austin Voth RHP