Josh Land

Dillon Atkinson: Does Jonathan Schoop deserve AL MVP consideration?

August 16, 2017, 6:15am

Orioles

Dillon Atkinson: Does Jonathan Schoop deserve AL MVP consideration?

Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has been having a career year, absolutely obliterating all of his prior season highs. Through 118 games, he's slashing .303/.354/.543 with 26 home runs and a 134 wRC+. His best season totals prior to 2017 was when he batted .279/.306/.482 with a 112 wRC+ in just 86 games in 2015, and he hit 25 long balls in a full 2016 season. He's on pace to hit well over 30 homers this season, which would be a first in his career. So far, he's definitely earned Most...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Art of Racing in the Rain"

August 14, 2017, 3:17pm

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Art of Racing in the Rain"

Eric Nadel is the voice of the Texas Rangers. He has been recognized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence. He is a longtime associate and friend and he is a reader. I caught up with him on the Rangers' trip to Baltimore. Nadel not only reads, but believes in supporting the book business, by visiting bookstores and buying books in which he has an interest. Good man. I have not read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein, but...

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Andrew Stetka: Rotation fixes still needed for O's

August 14, 2017, 10:19am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Rotation fixes still needed for O's

Despite what you may have seen over the past few weeks, the Orioles still don't have a ton of pitching at their disposal. The starting rotation has been the weakest link on this team for years, and the 2017 campaign has been no different. O's starters have the worst ERA in the American League at 5.53, second-worst in the majors only to the Cincinnati Reds. Baltimore also ranks 13th in innings pitched from its starters in the AL, ahead of only the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox. On the...

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Opposite dugout: Mariners looking for first playoff berth since 2001

August 13, 2017, 7:08pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Mariners looking for first playoff berth since 2001

Manager: Scott Servais (2nd season) Record: 59-60 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: DH Nelson Cruz (28 HR, 93 RBIs), SS Jean Segura (.319 with 17 stolen bases), 2B Robinson CanÃ³ (.273/.335/.464), CF Jarrod Dyson (27 stolen bases), RHP Edwin DÃaz (3.40 ERA, 27 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (6-1 in 2016) Pitching probables: Aug. 14: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo, 10:10 p.m., MASNAug. 15: LHP Wade Miley vs. TBA, 10:10 p.m., MASN2Aug. 16: RHP Ubaldo JimÃ©nez vs....

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Zach Wilt: Manny Machado's luck

August 11, 2017, 6:32am

Orioles

One of the best moves that the Orioles made at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline was rather under publicised. Sure, Tim Beckham has shown his importance, earning American League Player of the Week honors for going 14-for-24 (.583) in his first six games with Baltimore. Jeremy Hellickson has been a solid addition to the O's rotation, delivering quality starts in his first two outings against the Royals and Angels. But Manny Machado's resurgence in the second half has been incredibly...

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David Huzzard: Waiting for the regular season to end

August 10, 2017, 2:25pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Waiting for the regular season to end

The Nationals have such a commanding lead in the division that it has the same feeling as a losing season. It is like the Nationals are playing out the string, but instead of the season ending with golf outings and vacation, it will become exciting again and the Nationals will be in the playoffs. For now though, the Nationals are playing out the string. I'd say it should be a feeling familiar to Nats fans, but how many really exist that suffered through the 2008 and 2009 seasons? Let alone...

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Win big with Maryland Lottery's Home Run Riches Second-Chance Contest

August 10, 2017, 7:50am

Orioles

Win big with Maryland Lottery's Home Run Riches Second-Chance Contest

The Orioles bats are heating up which means they are climbing in the standings and just as importantly, the Maryland Lottery "Contestants of the Game" are winning more and more cold hard cash! On Sunday, the O's hit fivehome runs, which meant Margaret Piatt of Brandywine, Md., won $3,000! It was the 11th time this season the Orioles hit four or more home runs in a game. All in all, the Orioles have hit 161 home runs this season, third-most in the American League. How do you become a Maryland...

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Opposite dugout: Trading off assets means A's are focused on future

August 09, 2017, 4:58pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Trading off assets means A's are focused on future

Manager: Bob Melvin (7th season) Record: 50-64 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B Jed Lowrie (.271 with 33 doubles, 110 hits), LF Khris Davis (.242 with 31 HR, 80 RBIs), DH Ryon Healy (.255 with 21 HR, 63 RBIs), LHP Sean Manaea (8-6, 4.15 ERA), RHP Santiago Casilla (2-5, 16 saves). Season series vs. Orioles: 1st meeting (4-3 in 2016) Pitching probables: Aug. 10: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Chris Smith, 10:05 p.m., MASN2Aug. 11: RHP Ubaldo JimÃ©nez vs. RHP Paul Blackburn, 10:05 p.m., MASN2Aug. 12:...

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Dillon Atkinson: Do Ryan Flaherty and J.J. Hardy have secure spots once activated?

August 09, 2017, 7:07am

Orioles

Dillon Atkinson: Do Ryan Flaherty and J.J. Hardy have secure spots once activated?

With the great production coming from the shortstop position in the last week, you may have forgotten that Orioles infielders Ryan Flaherty and J.J. Hardy are going to be returning to the ballclub this month, barring any setbacks. Flaherty, who has been on the disabled list since May 19 with a right shoulder strain, is currently rehabbing at Double-A Bowie. His rehab assignment ends August 15, but manager Buck Showalter hopes he'll be ready to go sooner. Hardy was placed on the shelf June 19...

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Yard Work: Episode 13

August 09, 2017, 6:14am

Orioles

Hey, Orioles fans. Welcome to another edition of Yard Work. On this episode... What a difference three weeks makes. Following their series finale against the Cubs, the Orioles were seven games under .500 and the future of the team -- from a poor starting rotation to an inconsistent offense -- looked bleak. But, that's the beauty of the trade deadline. They may not have been the flashiest moves made, but the Orioles added assets on both sides of the ball, acquiring shortstop Tim Beckham from...

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Andrew Stetka: Outside of Machado, O's have another looming free agency issue

August 07, 2017, 5:01am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Outside of Machado, O's have another looming free agency issue

It's no secret that the Orioles have a little bit of a roster issue as they head forward. In the coming winter, the O's are bound to lose some key contributors from the roster. Chris Tillman, Ubaldo JimÃ©nez, Jeremy Hellickson, Seth Smith, Ryan Flaherty and Craig Gentry will all be free agents. They could also lose J.J. Hardy, Wade Miley and Welington Castillo, who each have options of some sort. Once the winter of 2018 rolls around, that list expands to include much bigger, even more...

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Opposite dugout: Angels looking to make playoffs with healthy Trout

August 06, 2017, 6:59pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Angels looking to make playoffs with healthy Trout

Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 55-57 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.343/.463/.703), DH Albert Pujols (17 HRs, 68 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.301/.353/.455), RHP Parker Bridwell (3.20 ERA), RHP Bud Norris (4.09 ERA, 18 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-4 in 2016) Pitching probables: Aug. 7: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. RHP JC Ramirez, 10:07 p.m., MASN2Aug. 8: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Parker Bridwell, 10:07 p.m., MASN2Aug. 9: RHP Kevin Gausman vs....

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Marty Niland: Nats bench gaining valuable experience for postseason

August 06, 2017, 6:15pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats bench gaining valuable experience for postseason

The dog days of August are proving to be a grind for the Nationals, playing .500 ball in their past 10 games. But while they endure this rough patch of injuries and a sometimes sputtering offense, they are laying valuable groundwork for the postseason. Let's face it, with a 13-game lead in the National League East and none of the other teams playing even .500 ball, it's extremely likely the Nats will win their fourth division title in six seasons. While this might be the most exciting team...

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Luke Erickson: Are any Nats affiliates playoff bound?

August 06, 2017, 10:13am

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Are any Nats affiliates playoff bound?

If you've been following the Nationals' minors closely (*ahem*), you'd know this ranges from virtually impossible (DSL Nats, Syracuse) to almost laughable (Potomac, Harrisburg, Auburn; all in last place by several games). Two of the affiliates, however, are in contention. If you're one to bring the tartar sauce while going after your white whale, you might make the argument that these two teams - the Gulf Coast League Nationals and the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns - are the ideal. The...

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David Huzzard: Dusty Baker is better than some think

August 04, 2017, 5:47am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Dusty Baker is better than some think

My opinion on Dusty Baker started to change sometime before the Nationals hired him. His name came up often whenever a job opened up and he was mentioned often by broadcasters when Matt Williams was the manager of the Nats. My thought on Baker started to be why is a manager that has done nothing but win in his career so disliked by a certain segment of fans? I've read "The Book" and "Moneyball" and I visit FanGraphs.com on a near daily basis, but at some point when the results are so...

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Zach Wilt: Celebrating Buck Showalter's seventh anniversary as O's skipper

August 04, 2017, 5:27am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Celebrating Buck Showalter's seventh anniversary as O's skipper

On August 3, 2010, the Baltimore Orioles were 33-73, sitting in last place in the American League East, and 34 games out of first place. That day, Buck Showalter managed his first game for the O's and led the team to victory with a 6-3 win over the Angels. The Birds would go on to sweep Anaheim and win nine of their next 11 games. Showalter's club would finish the season 34-23 and he became the first skipper in major league history to take over a club in August and earn more victories the...

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Washington Post Magazine gives Nats fans a closer look at MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo

August 03, 2017, 11:21am

Nationals

Washington Post Magazine gives Nats fans a closer look at MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo

If you follow F.P. Santangelo during MASN broadcasts or on social media, you know he isn't afraid to give you an inside look into his life in and out of the broadcast booth. He caught up with Joe Heim of the Washington Post for a Q&A on an array of topics, including covering the Nationals, adjusting broadcast styles and bringing personal insights from his seven years in the majors. The energetic broadcaster continues to show his love for the D.C. area, as well as the players he closely...

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Opposite dugout: Pitching woes have Tigers looking up in AL Central

August 02, 2017, 4:48pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Pitching woes have Tigers looking up in AL Central

Manager: Brad Ausmus (4th season) Record: 49-57 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Justin Upton (.279 with 18 HR, 69 RBIs); 1B Miguel Cabrera (.257 with 13 HR, 50 RBIs); 3B Nicholas Castellanos (57 RBIs, 98 hits); RHP Michael Fulmer (10-9, 3.59 ERA); RHP Justin Verlander (4.29 ERA, 126 Ks) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 3: LHP Matthew Boyd vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASNAug. 4: RHP Justin Verlander vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASNAug. 5: RHP Michael Fulmer...

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Dillon Atkinson: What August moves are ahead for Orioles?

August 02, 2017, 5:31am

Orioles

The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is behind us, and instead of selling, the Orioles decided to be small buyers, acquiring right-hander Jeremy Hellickson and infielder Tim Beckham. The Birds tried making a seller's deal to trade away All-Star closer Zach Britton for a package of prospects, but no deal could be reached. It's up for debate whether or not the moves the club made were wise ones, but what's done is done and the O's plan to make a run for the playoffs. They're off to a hot...

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Luke Erickson: Finally, some promotions

August 01, 2017, 5:10am

Nationals

If there's one thing that marked the 2017 season in the Nationals minors, it's how few, far between and slow promotions have been. To clarify, I'm talking about upward moves from the low-to-mid minors based on merit, not the needs-based shift from Triple-A to the majors. Granted, nobody in their right mind wants to return to the days when an old-for-the-level, low Single-A guy is moved to Double-a in the space of 10 days (Bill Rhinehart, 2008) or a southpaw moved up from high Single-A to the...