The Rise of the Jolly Roger 2025 ALDS Game 1 – Tampa Bay Rays @ Baltimore Orioles
[Music] Hello and welcome. Thanks for joining us. MLB the show brings you the American League Division Series. It’s the Tampa Bay Rays taking on the Baltimore Orioles. First pitch coming your way next. [Applause] All right, ready to get underway now. Up for Tampa Bay. Josh Low and a pitch. Swings through that. Close. Bug called a ball. And now it’s even one and one. kicks and deals inside [Applause] and now it’s eating up. Well, when those hitters count sometimes can be a little too aggressive and a good pitcher will play off of that. He’s got to get a better pitch to hit. Still two and two after the foul ball. The pitch caught him looking for the K. Now it’s Randy Rosena. Ground ball left side and that’s just fouled. He’s a bad ball hitter so even if you get him to chase pitches outside the zone, he still might beat you. Not an easy out by any means. That one misses. One and one. Swinging a ball hit out towards left center field and it falls. So they get a man aboard with a one out single. Yandi Diaz now. strike on the inside corner. Diaz, a former Allstar, 33 years old, and he was born in Cuba. A Rosena, the base runner at first with one out. Hit on the ground. Might be two. There’s one and that’s two. [Music] Now it’s the right fielder Nolan Jones. He’s a left-handed batter who still comes up with good contact and a good average against left-handed pitchers. And there’s a strike in the outside corner. All right, so you hit lefty. What makes it so hard to face a left-handed pitcher? Left-handers, they just seem to have different arm angles. So to keep that front shoulder in there and really discipline yourself can be tough sometimes, but the guys that do it well, man, I tip my cap to him every day. Sets him down on strikes. Fast ball to letters frozen for strike three. So digging in, Jordan West. And there’s a strike. Good heater at 98. One out. Base is empty. [Applause] Just outside and that is ball one in the air left side. The Rosarena after it. Brings it in. That’s out number two. Here’s Adley Rutman singing. He’s a guy that covers both sides of the plate about as well as anyone in the sport. How difficult is that to do? Well, just look at the back of my bubblegum card. You’ll see how hard it is. These guys are great, man. They have the ability. And there’s the third out. That’ll do it for the inning. [Music] Top of the second and now the DH Rick Burkin. Chris, you and I have gotten to work some memorable postseason games together. One I look back on 2013 ALCS game to the David Ortiz Grand Slam. There’s a swing and a drive. that one back there. Drops in for a hit. Couldn’t run it down. And that’s a leadoff double. La at the plate. Foul back our way. And that’s out of play for me. Boo. The game I remember is us calling the 2014 AL Wildcard game. The Kansas City Royals hosting the It’s in and out of his glove, but he wins the foot race to first. Good job of knowing how much time he had there. Isaac Parades now. You have to be careful throwing and breaking pitches even in an O count. He loves going after the off speed stuff and he’s really good at hitting it late on that fast ball. Next pitch is outside and here it comes. Fought off foul. Tries to hold off. Appeal to first. Ring him up, says Clyde Washington. That’s a strike out. Stepping in, Zack Bean tries to check his swing. Now look to third. Yes, he did. That’s a swing. 01 now. Swing. Get a ball popped up. Westber makes the play and that’ll do it. [Music] And we’re back. Here’s Raphael Devers singing. You can’t ask for anything more. This guy checks all the boxes offensively. He is the ultimate professional. And it doesn’t just start at game time. It starts in the afternoon. The way he prepares and gets ready for the ball game. I tell you what, his teammates feed off of the leadership that he shows on and off the field. That one missed [Applause] and a pitch. 3-1 and he couldn’t come up with it. I don’t think he really wanted to pitch to him right there anyhow. Here’s Ryan Mount Castle [Applause] in the air. Foul off first. Drifts towards it. Puts it away for the one down. Here’s the designated hitter for the Orioles. Sea Suzuki. Mlanahan, the reigning SA Young Award winner. He features a forseam fast, a change up, a curve, and he works in a slider. [Applause] Roll to short. Could be two offbalance feed. There’s one over to first. Safe. Here’s the left fielder. ball one there. [Applause] That one finds the zone and the count one and one. [Applause] He caught it behind his back to first. And that’s a nice play to end the inning. [Music] Top half of the third inning. And now the catcher for the Rays, Schwain Castillo. The right hander back to Wor. Looks like the weather could actually play a factor in this one. But it’s coming down pretty good. Yeah, it is. And it’s not too bad yet, but the field’s not going to be able to hold off if the rain gets any worse than this. So, keep an eye on the pitcher mound as well. And the rest of the infield start to puddle up a little bit. Foul ball. It stays nothing and two [Applause] and downstairs. Really nice slider right there. sweeping across the dish but just couldn’t hang the edge. Tapped softly on the ground. Mount Castle steps on the bag. One up, one down. Jose Caviierro next to hit for the Rays. [Applause] There’s the strike. Oh, and one. [Applause] Strike two. And down on strikes he goes. And that quickly two away. So the batting order turns over. Here’s the Rays leadoff hitter, Josh Low. He was a strikeout victim his first time. That misses the zone. One and0. [Applause] And a base hit right there. So, a two out knock keeps the inning alive. Couldn’t have timed it up any better than that. Other than ripping one into the gap or blasting one over the wall, there aren’t a whole lot of hits that are more satisfying than a nice line drive in the center field. So that definitely felt good. Pitch out but no action. Move to first. Low dives back in safely. [Applause] Two gone, but the go-ahead run is at first here in game one. There’s a strike. This guy’s got a great feel for his breaking ball today. Breaking ball in there for a strike. This one lifted in the air left field. Westb tracks it down for the out. [Applause] [Music] Back here in Baltimore as we go to the last of the third. Jorge Matteo now in the pitch. Just missed in the air. right side. He’s got it. And there’s one away. And now the center fielder, Colton Cowser. He’s someone that you might not describe as having elite level speed, but he can absolutely move and it is a factor in his game. Well, this guy’s definitely a plus runner, but what I love about him is that he goes all out every single time. Never takes a break. It’s guys like that, even though they don’t have the elite speed, the fact that they’re consistent with it, they make moves on the base paths. Strike right there. Up and in. And it’s two and two. One down. Base is empty. Spoils that one and it remains two and two. Left hand batter waits and misses inside. Hard hit left side on to first and there’s two down. So the lineup flips over now. Here’s Nolan Jones. Fast brew right down the middle. Usually a lot of damage done with that pitch. A hard grounder, but he wanted to get that ball in the air, maybe drive it into the gap. And he pumps in a strike. Clober to right field with that and gone. A gigantic blast and they jump out front. It’s one nothing. And stepping in is the speedy Jordan West. Pitches in there. It’s 0 and one. One run across in the frame so far here in game one of the ALDS. Swung on belted arena ranging back. That one is gone. They go back to back. It’s two nothing. Here’s the catcher, Adley Rutman. And there’s a ball. Ball one. No strike. Two outs. That misses. Two and0. Mlanahan maybe a little less aggressive on the mound right now after that home run. Chris. Yeah, it seems that way. You know, pitchers, they can come out, feel good, but then all of a sudden get touched up a little bit. Well, got a pause on that thought as that’ll do it for the inning. [Music] Game one of the division series. And here’s the first baseman, Yandi Diaz. Radish back to work. That’s a bullet, but it goes foul. And the right-hander deals. This one popped up middle of the infield. Westber under it. And he makes the catch. And there’s one down. So here’s the cleanup hitter, Rick Burkett. Doubled his first time up. up the middle. [Applause] Whips it to Mount Castle. Two quick outs here in the top of the fourth. Two out. Space is empty. And now it’s Brandon Laauo. Well, he’s doing a nice job of keeping the ball out of the air. Lets the defense work behind him with another ground ball. Good execution. First pitch misses. There’s a good feel in the ballpark and that’s what you expect when the home side has the lead in game one. This energy is going to keep building with every out. Two down on popped up. [Applause] Matteo pulls that one down and that is that. [Music] Bottom of the inning and here is De’s third baseman. Chris, you played here in 2002. What are the memories that stand out as to being a member of the Baltimore Orioles? For me, it was just pulling into the parking lot and having those that were there with a an encouraging smile or a pat on the back regardless of how things were going. It made it a lot easier to come to the ballpark whether you were doing well or you were struggling and then the way that they treated your family. I mean, this is a great place to play and I’d say it’s got to be one of the top places in all of baseball. Swing and a miss. Struck him out. Number six, Ryan Mount Castle will hit next. Popped out and fouled ground first time through. Off the mark there. Ball one. And you had a cameo in the movie Moneyball as an Orioles player in a highlight clip. This one popped up. Makes the grab. Two down and into the box for Baltimore. Sea Suzuki. Oh, that’s a frustrating end of the at bat for the hitter right there. I mean, that pitch was right down the middle. I think he got a little too excited. Came out of his mechanics and instead of driving that ball somewhere, he popped it off. Unfortunate for him. Two outs. [Applause] Two strikes. Swings through it and that’s a strike out. [Music] Back now at Oral Park ready now for the fifth inning. Now at the plate, Isak Paradis and he deals on the ground and it goes just foul. edge of the zone for a strike 0 and two. And a good eye there. Really good take especially with two strikes. The pitch battling here as he fouls it away. Swings and miss has struck him out. Zack Bean next to hit for the Rays. 0 for one so far. [Applause] Immediately pumps in a strike to the left-handed hitter. Over 80% of his first pitches are strikes. You’re doing that could have a really good day out there in the mound. One down, base is empty. And that’s off the inside edge. Now one and two. Swing and a miss. And he’s down on strikes. Now two away. Castillo digs in now. Grounded out his first time. [Applause] Fast ball for a strike. This guy is just filling up the strike zone right now. Don’t want to get yourself in an O2 hole. You better be ready to pull the trigger on the first pitch. Into center. Cowser sizes this one up, pulls it down, and he makes the catch. And that is that [Music] welcome back to the ballpark. We head to the bottom of the fifth. Now, left fielder number 36. Mlanahan back to work. There’s the strike up high. One. [Applause] There’s a swing in a miss. No ball. Two strikes. [Applause] On the ground right side. He’ll do it himself. And that’s the first out in the bottom of the fifth. Now it’s the second baseman, Jorge Mateo. Trying to find his way on for the fifth inning. Moving along. Two quick outs. Two outs. Base is empty. Digging in. It’s the speedy outfielder Colton Cowser. just missed. And that one fouled off [Applause] right through there for a strike. Chris, we were excited to watch him pitch. This is a little more along the lines of what we’re expecting performance-wise. Yeah, but great pitchers like this. Well, plays made there and that retires the side. [Music] And we’re back. And now it’s going to be Jose Caviierro. [Applause] The pitch. The shorts stop takes the ball. [Applause] right side. Mount Castle takes it himself and a quick out number one. So the Rays batting order turns over and now Josh Low one for two. And that’s outside. He’s been going after these guys consistently and as a result, he’s been able to keep his pitch count low. Throwing the ball very well right now. Just off the outside edge and the count is 2 and 0. Outside corner, there’s a strike. It really looks like these hitters have been in between with their timing today. Good fast ball, excellent slider, but they’ve not been able to commit to one velocity and stay there. Tosses to the pitcher covering the bag. Two quick outs to open the top of the six. Randy or Rosarena next to hit for the Rays. This one in the air center field. Cowser settles under this one. Calls it into Indiana. [Music] Bottom of the six and now the right fielder Nolan Jones [Applause] the wind to the pitch. That misses and that’s ball one. And there’s a strike. It was bumpy in the early going for the lefty, but he settled into a really nice groove outside and a count two and one. [Applause] Just missed. and he hits a ground ball right side, steps on first for the out. And next for the Orioles, Jordan West. He’s already homerred here in this one. [Applause] He swings and drives one out to deep left field. And that one hops the wall and he’s got a double. having a really nice game here. That’s his second extra base hit. This was a really nice swing. Didn’t quite get enough behind it to get it out of here, but once it got over his head in left field, it was extra bases all the way. Rushman in the box again takes the strike. [Applause] And it’s second a foul ball. The O2 goes down looking [Applause] and it’s Rafael Deers in the box. He’s 0 for one. And there’s the strike. He has been incredibly efficient in this one. First pitch strike percentage over 70%. That’s well above league average. And that’s what’s allowed him to pitch well up until this point. [Applause] Man on second, two down. This one in the air right field. Low has it sized up and makes the grab. And that is that. [Music] Back here in Baltimore, we go to the top of the seventh. And now the first baseman, Yandi Diaz. And the pitch. Oh, you can’t ask for a better start to this series if you’re the home team. You’ve got the lead. Your starter still on the mound. And there’s a chance she finishes this thing. Out to short. West slings to first. And they get the leadoff hitter in the seventh. And now Rick Perk. That one fouled off. Well, timing is the key to great hitting and right now that door is still locked. They haven’t been able to figure out pitch sequences and it’s impacting them across the board. One down, base is empty. going to count one and two. This pitcher has done a good job of disrupting the hitter’s timing with the mix of pitches and changing speeds. You want to keep that front foot inconsistent for the batter. Their swings are hesitant and that’s exactly what you want on the mound. And now Brandon Laauo. [Applause] First off, and it just misses. [Applause] And another ball. The Rays down by a pair here in the late stages of game one. misses outside and now three and 0. He hasn’t fallen behind in the count like this all day. He’s in danger of walking his first batter right here. Inside ball four. Well, he tried to nibble right there and just missed his spot. Hitter didn’t offer at it. Now he has somebody to worry about over at first. So next to the plate for Tampa Bay, Isach Paredus fast for a strike. I really like how he’s been attacking hitters early in at bats. He’s thrown strikes on the first pitch to over 70% of the guys he’s faced in this round. Swing and a miss as he was out front that time. Bound swinging for the strike out. Slider got him for a strike three. [Applause] We’re back in a new pitcher here to start the bottom of the seventh. Kevin Kelly. Pretty tight game. They’re looking for quality pitches out of him right here. Got to do his best to keep the score right where it is. [Music] And here’s the first base, Ryan Mount Castle. It’s interesting. He plays kind of a a power spot defensively, but runs pretty well. So, when you’re looking at that position, you’re not expecting someone that has maybe above average speed, but he does. and the one and that’s doubted away. And I think that skill set really upgrades the position because when you have that kind of speed, it makes the whole team that much better. Next offering is fouled back. What about him playing another position on defense, one that would require a little more range. Absolutely. And I think if push came to shove where they had to make a move during a game, surprise a lot of people. You might even be able to put him in center field. That one misses. So a lead off walk. So a man aboard digging in. Sea Suzuki. Kelly in his fourth year. He features a four seam fast, a curb, a slider, and he works in a change up. Started to swing, held up. [Applause] misses outside. Ball three. This is a really good feeling for a hitter at this point in the ball game. You know that they don’t want to walk you. So, you’re going to get a pitch to hit. You just better not miss it. Low makes the grab. One down. Here’s the left fielder. [Music] And the first pitch misses for ball one. Mount Castle leads off first with one away. Foul ball there. [Applause] There’s a 1-1. Swinging a foul back. That’s out of play. [Applause] misses inside. Two and two. Good eye in that spot. He’s really tightening up his hitting zone with two strikes here. I love it. And the righty deals and that’s ball four. His ability to draw walks has been something that’s been part of his career since day one. New pitcher now, Garrick Clevener. And this could be a pretty critical point in this game. They’re hoping he’s the guy to keep him within striking distance. One down. So, next to hit for Baltimore, Jorge Matteo. [Applause] Ball one and a pitch inside. [Applause] The Orioles trying to break this one open here. The bottom of the seventh [Applause] in the air out towards left center. A Rosarena racing over to make the catch. Every day during batting practice, these outfielders get about 10 minutes of balls in the gaps. They practice this and when the game comes, they make the play perfectly. [Applause] Swing and a liner foul off to the right. [Applause] Next offering is fouled back. First and second, two down. [Applause] Swings through that one. It’s a strikeout. [Music] And welcome back to the ballpark. At the plate, Zack [Applause] Radish back to work. That’s and that misses off the outside edge. [Applause] Worm burner into the outfield for a knock. So a runner aboard to start the inning. Castillo next to hit for the Rays. [Applause] just missed. Now, this team is definitely looking for a big swing of the bat right here. Try to close that gap. But, you know, at the very least, if you could find a way to manufacture that run from first, it feels like it’s really important to getting back into this ball game. And a swing and a miss. I’d say that stayed in the toe for a long time. No chance of even fouling it off. Swing and a miss. And that’s strike two with two strikes. May see some movement over there at first base. trying to stay out of the double play right here. Tying run at the plate in the dirt. Squirts away from Richmond. So, a wild pitch allows the runner to advance. [Applause] Chopped out in front of the plate. Whips it to Mount Castle. First out in the top of the eighth. If you want to be a great defense, you have to deliver consistently. It doesn’t matter how many highlight reel plays you make if you can’t execute the small stuff just like we saw. [Applause] Cabierro the next to hit takes low for a ball and fouled off. Pretty good pitch to take a pass at and a one count. Just not able to square it up. The tying run at the plate. That one catches the corner for a strike. Swing and a fly ball in the air out towards right center field. He’s got it. Here comes the runner from third. Play at the plate. See? And it’s a oneun ball game. So they turn to the lefty in this spot, Danny Ko. Well, the best relievers love the opportunity to come in and protect the tight lead late in the ball game. Some of them are just wired different. So, we’ll see what he’s got here. Back to the top of the lineup now up for Tampa Bay. Josh Low, one for three and that’s in the D. Well, with both starters out of the game, this quickly becomes a bullpen game. And this is something we see more and more in the game today, especially in the postseason. Looking to get the tying run on base and a swing and a miss there. Very solid inning on the mound so far here in the eighth. Holding on to this narrow lead. This is exactly what they were looking for. And another ball. [Applause] That one misses. And the count’s full. Got him looking and he did not like the call. Back now. New pitcher on the mound as we roll into the bottom of the eighth. Colin Poche just trying to keep this one close here. And this is where a bullpen can give their players a chance to fight back into the game. [Music] So, back to the top of the Orioles lineup. Now, it’s the right fielder, Nolan Jones. He’s already homered in this game. The pitch, lined into right. Low makes the grab. One up, one down. Jordan West the next to hit for the Orioles. Really nice job to get your first out of the ball game. That one misses and that’s ball one. Next offering is fouled back. Base is empty, one away here. The bottom half of the eighth inning. Pitch misses there and it’s two and one. fast ball for a strike. Kicks and fires. Waves at the bender for the strike out. Two outs. Base is empty. And now the catcher comes up to him. Adley Rutman 0 for three. A fly out, a ground out, and a strike out. [Applause] Right through there for a strike. Late in the game, everyone gets a little tighter. Way to get ahead on a really good hitter right there. Swings through that one for strike two. Just a bit late on that 01 breaking ball. 02 hole. Now he’s going to have to shorten up, tighten things up if he’s going to have a good at bat. Breaking ball inside. Two and two on the ground. right side and that one finds its way through. Joey gets on base and keeps it going. Man aboard and here is De’s and there’s a foul ball. And now the lefty. Foul ball. [Applause] Pitch misses there and it’s one and two. That’s to third and that squirts through. So that’s two straight two out hits. G stops the lead runner at second. Two on and two out. back to back base hits just found a way to slap that ball down the third baseline. That’s really excellent back control and it kind of goes back to all those drills you see hitters do off the tea where it’s placed in different spots. That was just nice. Rutman the lead runner out at second. Divers at first. Two out of the inning. And that one off the outside edge. Tough spot right here. A couple runners on. Two ball count. You can’t nibble, but you have to execute and finish your pitch. If you leave something out over the plate, it’s going to bring in some runs. Eddie Watson came right there. Four pitch walk and was not going to help him out by swinging at something out of his own. Two out, space is loaded. Here’s the designated hitter for the Orioles. Sea Suzuki fouled off. He was late. [Applause] Line drive and makes the play and that’s out number three. [Music] Welcome back. And here comes the closer Year Cano. Well, he’s the guy they hope to turn to out of the pin to lock down win. So, this game has gone to plan more or less. Let’s see if he can wrap it up here. So, digging in, Randy Rosarino. [Music] Here comes the pitch. That’s a strike and it’s over. And that skips Senator 1-1 now on the ground right side down the line and it’s fouled. [Applause] Next offering misses and that’s ball two. Got him looking. That’s a strike out. He’s two outs away. Yandi Diaz next to hit for the Rays. Known for his late inning heroics. That one finds the zone. It’s 0 and one. Crowd locked in right now. Oneun game here in the ninth. fights it off. He’ll see another. Definitely got the hitter conscious of the pitch inside. Really think the outer half is open. Righty to the plate. [Applause] That one not close. It’s a ball in two strikes. This guy’s a fun guy to watch taking at bat. He just battles up there. He doesn’t take a pitch off at all. makes it so difficult on the pitchers out there. You can tell they get frustrated with how long it takes to put him away. Two two. That’s a little bit low. One-run game here in the top of the ninth. [Applause] Outside and that is ball four. That’s a great at bat. He saw a lot of pitches and earned a walk. Now it’s going to be Rick Berkin [Applause] that misses the zone and it’s one and just missed. Last two pitches have been down in the zone. pitcher clearly trying to get that ground ball double play. But in this count, he’s going to have to give in, elevate his pitches, and get back into this bat. Let’s see if he gives him anything to hit here. And there’s the automatic on this count. Runner not known for his speed, but I think you got to put him in motion. Try to avoid a double play here. Righty delivers on the ground to second. Might be two. There’s one. He’s out. That’s a double play. The ball game is over. It’s pretty early in this series to say a must-win game, but when you got homefield advantage, it’s a luxury, but you have to protect it. Huge win in game one to set the tone. Not a ton of offense to chat about as we look at the final numbers, but this was a good one. Yeah, it was a lowscoring game, but but sometimes those can be the best, especially this time of year. And your final score here today, 2-1, as the Orioles win this one. for Chris Singleton and our entire outstanding crew here at MLB the show. I’m John Shami saying so long. [Music] One, two hits. They left runners on the ball game. Let me give it
American League Division Series Game 1
Tampa Bay Rays SP RHP Shane McClanahan (1-0, 1.50) vs
Baltimore Orioles SP RHP Kyle Bradish (0-0, 0.00)
