But it all comes back to the players. They're the ones that endured a 2-hour, 14-minute rain delay to get the series-opening win over the Angels.
But how did they do it?
Watch this edition of "Buck Blog" to hear about how the players dealt with the lengthy delay and more on the soggy night in Baltimore.
]]>Feel like you haven't had many chances to get to the Yard this season?
The Orioles know exactly how you feel. We're midway through May and the Orioles have played just 15 games at home. Sure, the Birds have posted a solid 9-6 record, but those 15 contests are tied for the fewest in the American League.
Of course, here at MASN, having the Orioles play on the road hopefully means you're given the honor of tuning in to MASN to watch them play. That makes us happy campers.
Fortunately for manager Buck Showalter, the Orioles are back home, where they begin a three-game series against the San Diego Padres tonight. And with another return home brings another edition of the Buck Blog.
In this edition, the skipper talks about how being back in Baltimore allows players to settle into a routine, but that despite the comforts of home, it doesn't always translate to wins on the diamond.
And while playing at Camden Yards may be comforting, much of the Orioles' pitching staff isn't comfortable at all. Starters Michael Gonzalez and Wei-Yin Chen are nursing injuries, forcing Showalter to commence the seemingly annual starting rotation merry-go-round.
No matter, however. Down on the farm the Orioles are stocked with capable arms, and rumor has it that Jair Jurrjens will be called up to start within the next few days. Showalter won't confirm this, though, but as you'll see in the blog, doesn't dismiss the possibility, either.
As for the younger arms, highlighted by Kevin Gausman, it's still too early to expect him in the big leagues any time soon, but Showalter talks about his progression through the system and says things are on the right track.
Can't get enough Buck? Watch his Buck Blog and check back often for the latest edition!
Well, you can find it right here all season, as O's manager Buck Showalter is back contributing to MASNsports.com in 2013 with an exclusive video blog once a homestand.
In his first installment, Showalter speaks with our own Roch Kubatko about how much the Orioles needed Chris Tillman's quality start on Monday and what makes Nick Markakis such an important part of the team.
Before Tillman fell one strike shy of become the first Baltimore starter to pitch seven innings this season, the O's had to contend with a drained staff thanks to Saturday's doubleheader and Jake Arrieta's rough four innings Sunday.
As for Markakis, it seems like the Orioles right fielder continues to fly beneath the radar while Adam Jones and Chris Davis grab the attention for the team's hot offensive start. But Showalter sees Markakis as a critical cog who is well-respected around the league.
For more, check out Showalter's first "Buck Blog" of the season and enjoy.
Liars.
Regardless if you have psychic abilities and were able to see this coming true, the Birds are still in the playoff picture. In fact, here we are on August 8, and they're right in the middle of it. After a key road trip that saw the Orioles take two of three from the Yankees and Rays each, it's time for another homestand against some foes that, while not to be taken lightly, aren't exactly the juggernauts of the American League.
For Buck Showalter, another homestand meant another edition of Buck's Blog. In this edition, the skipper talks about the team's chances for the playoffs and fields some questions from the fans.
Check it out!
With the Pirates in town, the Orioles are right in the thick of things in a competitive American League East, despite having a slew of injured players to cope with.
Most recently, pitcher Brian Matusz suffered a painful injury when he took a ball to his nose during a bunting drill earlier this week. He'll miss his next start, forcing manager Buck Showalter to move around the starting rotation.
Meanwhile, Nick Markakis, one of the fan favorites on the club, is still recovering from his wrist injury, though Showalter gave an update on the right fielder. And as one player continues to rehab his way back into the starting lineup, another fan favorite, second baseman Brian Roberts, finally returned to make his season debut Tuesday night.
In his debut, Roberts went 3-for-4 and had an RBI in the Orioles' 8-6 win over Pittsburgh. Will he help push the Birds back to the top of the division? Find out here!
After taking two of three from the Yankees and sweeping the rival Red Sox, the Birds sit atop the American League East and, for a moment, boasted the best record in all of baseball.
The homestand has admittedly started with a few bumps, as the powerful Rangers have come to town and flexed their muscles. As far as MASNsports.com is concerned, another homestand meant another episode of Buck's Blog, as manager Buck Showalter sat down with Amber Theoharis to talk about Tommy Hunter's struggles and what lies in store for the team moving forward. Check it out!
In this installment, while awaiting word on the birth of Robert Andino's daughter, Showalter tackles subjects including how the Orioles will use newly recalled right-hander Jason Berken, his thoughts on rookie infielder Ryan Flaherty and more.
Fans, if you've got a question for the O's skipper, leave it below in the comments section and maybe your question will be used in a future edition of Buck's Blog.
The biggest question coming into this season was how would this young pitching staff - particularly the starting rotation - bounce back after a dismal 2011 campaign?
It's an admittedly small sample size, but through five games things are looking up. Jake Arrieta, Tommy Hunter and Jason Hammel all turned in monster performances as the Birds earned a sweep of the Twins. The rival Yankees came into Charm City for a three-game set of their own and have fared well early on, winning the first two, as they look to pick up a sweep on Wednesday.
As for Buck Showalter, his video blog sessions are back. Each homestand, the Orioles skipper will answer questions regarding his team and even take a few questions from you, the fans. In the first installment, Amber Theoharis chatted with Showalter about Wei-Yin Chen's Orioles debut, Mark Reynolds' early struggles at third base and what to expect on the season's first road trip.
Fans, if you have questions you'd like Showalter to answer, be sure to leave them in the comments and maybe he'll answer!
]]>As was the case in 2010, the Orioles came on strong in August and September, as they played smart, sound baseball and seemed to revel in serving the spoiler role against teams fighting for playoff spots. Showalter talked about the satisfaction he drew from watching his team fight until the end, and how the players' effort all season was something from which he drew pride.
Showalter also discussed what he feels the Orioles' young pitchers - Brian Matusz, in particular - need to do this offseason to come back strong and in the right frame of mind come spring training, and which players' performances he's especially proud of as he looks back on the year.
The skipper finished off his video blog by describing how a manager spends his time during the offseason, and he shared the advice he'll give his players as they head their different ways and spend the fall and winter months on their own.
]]>More than anything, while the starting pitching hasn't always performed as well as he would have hoped and there have been some injuries along the way, Buck said he's been proud of the effort that his players have delivered on a day-to-day basis, through the good times and bad.
The O's skipper also touched on whether there was any acclimation process when he first came aboard in Baltimore, and how he plans on balancing the goal of winning games and finishing the season strong with wanting to see what his younger players can do in the major leagues.
If you have a question for Buck, feel free to drop it in the comment box below, and the Orioles' manager might answer it in his next video blog.
]]>But Orioles manager Buck Showalter believes that one of the main qualities which separates a good manager from a great one is his ability to properly handle a bullpen. In his latest MASNsports.com video blog, the O's skipper talks with Dan Kolko about the art of managing his corps of relievers.
Buck discusses how intensely the Orioles chart each reliever's workload in terms of innings and pitches thrown, and also how "ups" (a pitcher warming up in the bullpen) factor into the equation.
He also touches on how each reliever's personal history forces a manager to adjust his in-game strategy, how much a starting rotation can impact the strength of a bullpen, and why an inning-eating reliever can be a lifesaver.
If you have a question for Buck, drop it in the comment box below, and he might answer it as part of his next video blog!
With Brian Roberts on the disabled list since the middle of May, Showalter has turned to a few different guys in hopes of finding a spark at the top of the lineup. In his video blog, the O's skipper talks about how even though Robert Andino, Felix Pie and even J.J. Hardy have played well at times in the one-hole, it's still tough to find the right mix of skills to properly handle the role.
What qualities does Showalter value most in a leadoff hitter? What do the "computer minds" feel is the best strategy when it comes to constructing the top of a lineup? Would Showalter ever consider putting Adam Jones in the one-hole?
You'll find answers to all those questions in the skipper's video blog.
If you have a question for Buck, drop it in the comment box below, and he might answer it in his next post!
]]>Showalter discussed how Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail prepares for injuries in how he shapes the major and minor league rosters, and talked about the communication that a manager and his GM must have when deciding which player will be called up to take the place of an injured or demoted player.
The O's skipper also talked about his relationship with MacPhail and how often the two communicate to try and put the best product possible on the field.
Also, check out the MASN Orioles Facebook page, as Buck answers a couple questions directly from you, the fans. To submit a question for Buck's next video blog, be sure to enter it in the comment box below.
]]>But back before he was an established major league manager, Showalter was a first baseman and outfielder in the Yankees' minor league system, posting a .294 career average in seven seasons in the minors.
In this week's MASNsports.com video blog, Showalter talks with Dan Kolko about why he decided to make the transition from player to manager, and how he got his start in the coaching ranks.
Buck also discusses how his managerial style has evolved over the course of his baseball career, what former Orioles skipper has played a huge part in Showalter's baseball life, and what aspect of managing really gives him some satisfaction and personal fulfillment.
Also, check out the MASN Orioles Facebook page, as Buck answers a couple questions directly from you, the fans. To submit a question for Buck's next video blog, be sure to enter it in the comment box below.
]]>Buck gave an in-depth look at Britton, talking about how he's been impressed with the 23-year-old's ability to have success even when he doesn't have his best stuff, and how Britton has adjusted to the attention that comes along with being a major league starter.
The O's manager also discussed Britton's off-field mentality and the focus with which he attacks each start, and talked about the impact that catcher Matt Wieters has made on Britton in his young career.
Be sure to check out the MASN Orioles Facebook page for Buck's answers to a couple fan questions, and feel free to submit your questions to the Orioles skipper in the comment box below.
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