Orioles manager Buck Showalter sounded confident that Game 1 of the American League Championship Series would be played tonight. He's not anticipating a postponement or suspension. "The weather report looked pretty good," Showalter said. "That was encouraging." The game would be resumed on Saturday if interrupted tonight. Showalter is deciding between Bud Norris and Wei-Yin Chen as his Game 2 starter. He basically knows which way he wants to go, but the plan would change if the projected starter is needed tonight out of the bullpen. Norris and Chen will be brought into the interview room later today. Chen is 1-1 with a 4.17 ERA in six starts against the Royals and 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in two starts in Kansas City. Norris is 0-1 with a 0.68 ERA in two starts against the Royals and 0-1 with a 1.23 ERA in one start in Kansas City.

Showalter said leaving left-hander T.J. McFarland off the ALCS roster was his toughest decision. He added Brian Matusz to give the bullpen a third southpaw. "It was just a better fit compared to Detroit," Showalter said. "I was really impressed with the way Brian handled it. But it's just a better fit for us, especially with (Kevin) Gausman in the bullpen and two starters available long the first couple of games." Miguel Gonzalez is available in relief tonight. Showalter probably will add a 12th pitcher if Game 1 is postponed, since he'd need to use five starters. But he keeps insisting that the weather won't be a factor. The Orioles are hitting indoors today. In case anyone still believed the TBS report, the players did not vote on whether Chris Davis would be included on the ALCS roster. Nick Hundley's father, Tim, is flying into Baltimore in the morning after coaching tonight for the UNLV football team. He works with the defensive backs.