Key Takeaways:
– Ahead of his match-up against former team Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Kyle Gibson leaves a friendly message in the dugout.
– The Orioles’ celebratory “Hydration Station” was humorously banned from the visitor’s dugout at Busch Stadium.
– Baltimore team manager Brandon Hyde accepts Gibson’s playful ban as a challenge.
– Young Orioles’ leadoff hitter, Gunnar Henderson, is on a homerun streak, tying for the MLB lead.
– Baltimore, tied with New York Yankees for the MLB lead in homeruns, will face a struggling Cardinals’ pitching squad.
– Hyde labels Henderson as one of Major League Baseball’s best players.
– Gibson, commending despite his jest, is gearing up to face a daunting Baltimore offense.
As the St. Louis Cardinals set to play against the Baltimore Orioles, a light-hearted message awaited the Baltimore team in their dugout. The note writer was none other than their ex-teammate, Kyle Gibson, who had morphed into a Cardinal from an Oriole. The message read: “No water hoses allowed in dugout”.
A Nostalgic Jest
The note was a playful banter, targeting the Orioles’ innovative “Hydration Station.” This celebratory ritual sees Baltimore players quenching their thirst after scoring homeruns. Gibson, the 36-year-old pitcher, intended to place the sign himself but ran short of time. However, his humor-filled idea found execution somehow, as published by Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sun.
Speaking to the press, Gibson expressed his pre-game intention, saying, “I was trying to figure out a way I could create a sign and put it in the dugout to let them know that hoses and watering devices aren’t allowed here.” He voiced hope that the homeground’s pitching squad would keep the Orioles away from their signature celebration.
A Favorite Becomes the Challenger
Gibson, who had a successful season with Baltimore last year, going 15-9, will face his erstwhile team on May 22. After signing a one-year, $10-million deal in December 2023, Gibson quickly earned fans’ admiration for his skills. Now, he’s ready to face a formidable Baltimore offense that’s tearing through the season.
Brandon Hyde, the Orioles’ team manager, reacted with sportsman spirit to Gibson’s jest, considering it a challenge for the series opener. He expressed openly that he hopes his team could break the assumed “no-hose rule” six times in the upcoming match.
Baltimore’s Hot Streak and Rising Stars
The Baltimore Orioles are unmistakably on fire. They stand tied with the New York Yankees for the most home runs in the MLB this season. Their upcoming match is against the Cardinals’ pitchers who have for now given up 56 home runs this season, ranking them fifth-worst in MLB. The Cardinals’ situation doesn’t look great, as batters stand at a .263 average against St. Louis pitching.
A key player to watch for the Orioles is their young prodigy, Gunnar Henderson. Entering the series with a run of homeruns in five out of his last nine games, the hot hitter is sure to pose a challenge. At just 22, Henderson has already racked up 15 homeruns this season in only 44 games. This staggering performance ties him with the Houston Astros’ Kyle Tucker for the MLB lead.
When asked about his goal to lead the league, Henderson affirmed his dedication to the team first and foremost. He said, “…just going out there and trying to help the team win. If homers come with it, then so be it.”
Even Hyde admits that for Baltimore, it all starts with Henderson, arguably currently one of the best players in baseball. “He’s a fun player to watch. He’s one of the best players in the game right now, and he’s dangerous at the plate,” Hyde said, which makes Henderson a key player to watch in the mid-May series.
Anticipating a Heated Series Ahead
As the series closes, the main question remains whether or not the Cardinals, spearheaded by Gibson, will be able to slow down Henderson. The humorously competitive start promises an exciting series.