Major League Baseball

Dyson's bravado doesn't appear to have ruffled any Oriole feathers

Published Oct. 13, 2014 7:56 p.m. ET

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Anyone who has ever spent five minutes around Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson knows that he loves to talk.

And they also know Dyson is confident, to the point of being borderline cocky.

So when Dyson was asked after Saturday night's win if he thought the Royals, with a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series, would be coming back to Baltimore to finish the series, his answer didn't surprise any of us who have covered him over the years.

"No, sir, I don't," Dyson said. "And I don't think they think that way, either."

Certainly, the second half of that quote got everyone's attention.

Royals manager Ned Yost was told of the potential bulletin-board quote, but said he didn't feel the need to speak to Dyson about potentially riling up the opponent.

Even Dyson's teammates didn't seem at all alarmed.

"That's just him being him," closer Greg Holland said. "We all expect to win. I think that's all he's saying."

But Dyson wasn't done. On Sunday, Dyson elaborated on his feeling about the Orioles.

"If we take Game 3, I guarantee there are going to be multiple people in that clubhouse over there saying, 'Man, there's no way we're going to beat these guys four games in a row,'" Dyson said. "It can be done, but everybody ain't gonna be on the same page, I don't think. There are going to be some people ready to go home.

"There are going to be some people not cheering in the dugout -- just like if it was vice versa on this side, it might be the same way."

Again, if you know Dyson, he likely wasn't trying to stir up the Orioles. He simply is a man who speaks without filters.

And what Dyson said is mainly true: Teams with 3-0 leads in best-of-seven series have a massive mental edge.

First baseman Eric Hosmer, who is good friends with Dyson and lockers near him, defended Dyson's comments.

"Look, everyone in this clubhouse feels like we should win each game," Hosmer said. "We expect to win the series. If you go into the other clubhouse, I think you'll find they expect to win. If you don't expect to win, there's something wrong with you.

"You have to have a confident attitude."

Watch the Boulevard Royals Live postgame show on FOX Sports Kansas City after every Kansas City Royals postseason game.

Dyson's words did not appear to ruffle any bird feathers.

"He doesn't speak for this clubhouse," O's center fielder Adam Jones said with a shrug.

O's manager Buck Showalter wasn't directly critical of Dyson for his comments, but did seem to offer some fatherly advice about potentially inflammatory remarks.

"I'm very careful about saying something that makes my players' jobs harder than they are," he said. "So that's why I try to keep in mind ... you know, you think about the words (you use), how they reflect on your team, your organization, the city. It's tough sometimes, I know. 

"But I think that's the bottom line. The game is hard enough as it is."

You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.

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