Dylan

Beavers

Beavers started this game in style with a lead-off home run and then capped off the Orioles’ five-run second inning with a two-run single. He’s been a mainstay in their lineup over the last few weeks and been productive with a .791 OPS over his last 30 games. Also, he has now hit lead-off in back-to-back games. That’s someone that should be getting a look in deeper leagues to close the season.

The unexpected move to put Beavers in the leadoff spot tonight worked out great. His big hit was just a little 150-foot fly to the left side, but it dropped in over a drawn-in infield and played a big role in the Orioles’ eight-run third inning. He knocked in three for the second time this season.

Beavers hasn’t exactly been tearing the cover off the ball of late, but the Orioles are going to give him a look in the leadoff spot over Jackson Holliday to face Cleveland lefty Foster Griffin in this one.

Beavers, Colton Cowser and Leody Taveras are all slumping of late, leaving the Orioles in a really tough situation with their outfield. Assuming that his back is okay, Blaze Alexander might start seeing more time in the corners. Heston Kjerstad is also an option, but his Triple-A numbers prior to his callup last week don’t inspire a lot of confidence.

This will be Robert Jr.'s first start with the Orioles since being claimed off waivers. This game is against a right-handed pitcher, and Leody Taveras has been moved to the bench with Colton Cowser in center field and Dylan Beavers in right field. This is great news for Robert Jr.'s fantasy value, and also implies that Beavers and Cowser could stay in strong-side platoon roles. With the Orioles facing three lefties against the Red Sox this weekend, Robert Jr. could be in for a nice week.

This is a bit of a surprise. Robert is hitting well in August, slashing .267/.321/.520 with six home runs, 10 runs scored, and 11 RBI; however, the Orioles have been getting solid production from Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, and Leody Taveras in the outfield. Their DH spot has also been filled by Coby Mayo since Christian Encarnacion-Strand has emerged as the regular third baseman. Somebody who is playing well is going to be bumped from the starting lineup now, and you have to wonder if this is a sign that the Orioles plan to pick up Robert’s $20 million team option for 2027.

Beavers didn’t enter the game until the 10th inning, starting on the bench as the Orioles faced Shane McClanahan. With the game tied in the bottom of the 10th, Beavers delivered a double off the wall, just missing a walk-off homer off Bryan Baker. The 25-year-old outfielder is hitting .244/.321/.387 with six homers, 28 RBI, and five steals across 244 plate appearances in a strong-side platoon in left field.

Beavers finally got the O’s on the board with his 386-foot (102.2-mph EV) solo shot off of Gerrit Cole in the fifth inning. That would be the extent of their offense. The 25-year-old outfielder finished the evening 1-for-3 and is now slashing .239/.318/.366 with five homers and 26 RBI in 240 plate appearances on the season.

Beavers struck out his other two times up before being lifted for a pinch-hitter against a lefty in the eighth. The homer off Zebby Matthews was Beavers’ third in 223 plate appearances this season. He’s been a disappointment in the power department after hitting 18 homers in 418 plate appearances in Triple-A and four in 137 plate appearances in the majors last year.

This is Beavers’ fifth straight start and fourth straight start as the leadoff hitter. The 24-year-old has received inconsistent playing time this season, but he is hitting .321/.406/.393 in nine games since the All-Star break with four RBI, one steal, and an 8/3 K/BB ratio. Of course, he has only been caught stealing twice, which isn’t ideal, but his pulled groundball approach has been working for his batting average, and hitting atop the batting order should hopefully begin to lead to some runs scored for Beavers as well.