BALTIMORE – As the demands of modern baseball evolve, starting pitchers are finding it harder to find their footing.

However, October might just be their prime time to thrive.

With the start of Major League Baseball’s playoffs, the challenge of securing 27 outs becomes even more intricate. Teams now deploy 13-man pitching staffs tailored to counteract their specific rivals. Managers engineer pitching strategies similar to how offensive coordinators design plays.

And substitutions will be made at the first hint of a struggle.

As this postseason begins with the wild-card round, several top pitchers will have the chance to showcase their skills against formidable opponents, even if they have little support.

In Houston, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers—considered the front-runner for the American League Cy Young Award—will seek to challenge the consistently tough Houston Astros. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles have brought in Corbin Burnes, a previous Cy Young Award winner, aiming to provide an edge for the team.

In Game 1, Burnes will face off against Cole Ragans, a young left-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, who won’t have to fret about his performance until the heat is on.

“If our starters perform like they have all year, I’m comfortable letting them continue,” stated Royals manager Matt Quatraro. “Their contributions are a significant factor in our success.”

“Our bullpen has been fantastic over the last month, building confidence with their performance. They’ve really stepped up,” he added.

“But we’re not heading into this with a plan to limit our starters merely to two times through the order. We’re aware of our team’s strengths, and we intend to capitalize on them.”

While the number of top-tier pitchers may be limited, they could once again be pivotal this October.

‘A Unique Challenge’

Last year, Brandon Hyde’s Orioles faced a tough opponent. The Texas Rangers’ batting lineup clicked at just the right moment, leading to a wild-card sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays, followed by a quick elimination of the Orioles in the AL Division Series.

Looking back at the 2023 World Series champions, it’s evident one player stood out during the postseason.

Nathan Eovaldi, a veteran right-hander, started six games for Texas in the playoffs, with the Rangers victorious in all. He earned wins in five of those games, boasting a 2.95 ERA and allowing only three home runs across 36 2/3 innings pitched.

Eovaldi’s impressive performance included four wins on the road, featuring two wins at Minute Maid Park during the ALCS, bringing down the Astros.

In the wake of their 101-win season yet no playoff wins, what did the Orioles do last winter?

They traded for Burnes, who was set to become a free agent and clearly a solid addition. While his 194 innings pitched, 15 wins, and 2.92 ERA significantly bolstered the Orioles, he was acquired for a singular purpose.

That moment is here.

“We have complete faith in Corbin for Game 1,” says Hyde. “He’s had an incredible season and can compete against anyone on any given night. Having someone with his talent and confidence means we go into each game expecting a win.”

“And that’s the feeling among our players.”

Burnes, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on October 22, is no stranger to the postseason, having previously pitched in the 2018 playoffs for the Milwaukee Brewers and throwing six scoreless innings against the eventual champion Atlanta Braves in the 2021 NL Division Series.

Last year, however, he struggled, allowing five runs in just four innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who later made their own unexpected World Series run. The Brewers were eliminated before the postseason excitement even unfolded.

“Postseason baseball is a completely different challenge,” Burnes acknowledged. “With this wild card series being a best-of-three, securing a win in Game 1 is crucial for setting up the next rounds.”

“You have to focus on today. Throughout the season, the mindset is often about preparing for the long term, but now that we’re here in October, it’s all about immediate success.”

Burnes expressed gratitude that the Orioles named him the Opening Day starter and the Game 1 playoff pitcher, praising his new teammates for welcoming him so warmly.

He aims to share his postseason experience with younger Orioles players who might be new to the playoff atmosphere or who felt overwhelmed last year against the Rangers.

“Momentum is incredibly important,” Burnes remarked. “You can sense it throughout the game, from the first inning to the ninth. It’s about managing that momentum. As a seasoned player, I’ve learned how to stay calm during high-pressure moments.”

Eventually, those exceptional October pitchers lean into the thrill of the experience.

Stone Cold Killers

At just 26, Ragans picked an inspiring athlete while growing up as a young left-handed pitcher in Florida.

“I think I watched every video about Cole Hamels during high school,” Ragans said, referring to the 2008 World Series MVP for the Philadelphia Phillies. “I began mimicking his hand movement in my windup because I sought out another lefty who did it—turns out, it was Cole Hamels.”

“Hamels had a phenomenal changeup; once I entered professional baseball, that became one of my strongest pitches. He was incredibly successful and had a truly impressive career.”

“And during the 2008 postseason, he was remarkable.”

You could certainly say that.

In comparison, while the playoff structure was adjusted that year, Hamels had a similar postseason performance to what Nathan Eovaldi experienced last year. The Phillies won every game he started (5-0), and Hamels boasted a record of 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA, allowing only two home runs over 35 innings.

Hamels secured victories in the NLDS Game 1, NLCS Game 1, and Game 1 of the World Series, and he also pitched in Game 5 when the Phillies clinched the championship against the Tampa Bay Rays.

However, these wild-card players won’t have the chance to replicate that success; the swift transition to the Division Series means they would only start a Game 3 at the earliest in the following round.

Nonetheless, they have the opportunity to create their own postseason stories. Veteran Royals catcher Salvador Perez is very optimistic about Ragans, who recently told him, “It’s simply another game, Salvy.”

Perhaps he wasn’t entirely honest about that. Manager Quatraro has faith in his starters, and Ragans is aware of that support. On Tuesday afternoon in Camden Yards, maybe the Orioles will sense it as well.

“It means a lot that Q and everyone have their confidence in me to lead off,” Ragans stated. “I’m excited about it and eagerly anticipating it.”