Josh Land

Dillon Atkinson: Machado's return to form shouldn't be a surprise

July 19, 2017, 6:28am

Orioles

Dillon Atkinson: Machado's return to form shouldn't be a surprise

Through the first half of the 2017 campaign, to say Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was underperforming at the plate would be an understatement. Machado slashed a combined .290/.351/.518 with 72 long balls and a 132 wRC+ from 2015 through 2016. Being just 24 heading into this season, many expected him to stay on the same track, if not get even better. However, this hasn't been the case. From the start of this season to the All-Star break, Machado posted just a .230/.296/.445 with a 91...

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Luke Erickson: Is anyone really untouchable in a trade?

July 18, 2017, 10:26am

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Is anyone really untouchable in a trade?

When this guest blog was first written, it was about how the injury to Joe Ross would force a trade and that the Nationals may have to consider trading one or more of their so-called untouchable players, outfielder Victor Robles and Erick Fedde. Instead, Washington and Oakland executed their 432nd 11th trade this decade with right-hander Blake Treinen, infielder Sheldon Neuse and left-hander Jesus Luzardo going to the Bay Area and left-hander Sean Doolittle and right-hander Ryan Madson coming...

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Andrew Stetka: For O's, any sell-off must be done carefully

July 17, 2017, 7:07am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: For O's, any sell-off must be done carefully

The Orioles aren't completely buried after this weekend's sweep at the hands of the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs, but there is certainly some dirt on their grave. With that comes the realization that perhaps this isn't "the year" for the Birds. At least that appears to be the sentiment of the front office if reporting from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is to be believed. Rosenthal says that O's executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has begun informing...

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Marty Niland: Remarkable recovery made Tommy John a household name

July 17, 2017, 6:51am

Today is the 43rd anniversary of the date a Dodgers pitcher tore an elbow ligament, an injury that eventually made his name not only a part of baseball vernacular, but a household term. We learned over the weekend that Nationals pitcher Joe Ross will have Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, a procedure that one-third of all major league pitchers had undergone as of 2013. Hundreds are performed each year. The Single-A Potomac Nationals even had an "Ode to Tommy John Surgery Statue" giveaway on...

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Opposite dugout: Rangers no longer winning one-run games

July 16, 2017, 11:07am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Rangers no longer winning one-run games

Manager: Jeff Banister (3rd season) Record: 45-46 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Elvis Andrus (.295/.339/.462 with 11 HR, 50 RBIs), 3B/DH Adrian Beltre (.275/.374/.522 with 8 HR, 30 RBIs), 3B Joey Gallo (21 HR, 41 RBIs), LHP Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.05 ERA), LHP Alex Claudio (2.59 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (4-3 in 2016) Pitching probables: July 17: RHP Andrew Cashner vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 18: RHP Tyson Ross vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m.,...

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David Huzzard: How Nats can add relievers by adding to payroll

July 14, 2017, 12:39pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: How Nats can add relievers by adding to payroll

There are two ways to add players from outside the organization. That is by spending money or spending talent. Most trades are completed by spending talent, but there is a way to spend money and make a trade that might present the Nationals with the best option for improvement this deadline. The rumors have begun swirling, and according to one writer's source the Tigers have no interest in moving right-hander Justin Verlander and according to another writer's source they aren't shopping him...

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Zach Wilt: Why the Orioles shouldn't buy or sell at trade deadline

July 14, 2017, 5:33am

Orioles

The All-Star break is over and Orioles baseball resumes tonight with the start of the second half of the season. Our Birds are back in action at Camden Yards this evening against the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs for the first of a three-game series. It feels like it's been awhile since we watched a baseball game where the outcome was meaningful and significant. Not that I'm complaining about the All-Star Game no longer determining home-field advantage in the World Series. I...

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Opposite dugout: Reds still in the midst of rebuilding process

July 13, 2017, 6:56pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Reds still in the midst of rebuilding process

Manager: Bryan Price (4th season) Record: 39-49 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Joey Votto (26 HR, 68 RBIs), SS Zach Cozart (.316/.394/.547), CF Billy Hamilton (38 stolen bases), RHP Raisel Iglesias (1.69 ERA, 16 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: July 14: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Tim Adleman, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 15: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Luis Castillo, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 16: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Homer Bailey, 1:10 p.m., MASN2 July 17: RHP Stephen...

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Opposite dugout: Cubs still alive despite lackluster first half

July 13, 2017, 4:46pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Cubs still alive despite lackluster first half

Manager: Joe Maddon (3rd season)Record: 43-45 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Anthony Rizzo (.259 with 20 HR, 56 RBIs), 3B Kris Bryant (.269 with 18 HR, 38 RBIs), C Willson Contreras (.261 with 65 hits), RHP Jake Arrieta (8-7, 4.35 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (2-0, 1.80 ERA, 16 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (3-0 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 14: LHP Mike Montgomery vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 15: RHP Jake Arrieta vs. LHP Wade Miley, 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 16: LHP...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Tenth of December"

July 08, 2017, 4:04pm

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Tenth of December"

What does one make of "Tenth of December" by George Saunders? I wished to turn away from most of these short stories. There was horror, fear and a real uneasiness in trying to just survive reading these works. Characters were undergoing real physical and emotional pain of the deepest sort. I went to other sources to see what others felt about this book. NPR stated in a review: "... that what we assumed was a nightmare is, in fact, our new reality. It also proves that Saunders is one of...

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Zach Wilt: Opponents have adjusted to Dylan Bundy

July 07, 2017, 5:32am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Opponents have adjusted to Dylan Bundy

Dylan Bundy was one of the Orioles' best stories over the first two months of the season. In April and May, the 24-year-old righty made 11 starts and the O's went 7-4 in those games. Bundy pitched 71 2/3 innings, limited opponents to a .240 batting average and recorded a 2.89 ERA over that span. He began the season with eight consecutive quality starts and ten in his first 11. Bundy immediately jumped out as the team's best starter in his first full season in the rotation. It seemed like...

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David Huzzard: What is the impact of the the Nats' bad bullpen?

July 07, 2017, 5:19am

Nationals

David Huzzard: What is the impact of the the Nats' bad bullpen?

I had a question earlier this week on the Nationals bullpen. It was a simple one: Exactly how many ninth-inning blown saves have they had and where does that compare to the league average? The Nationals have 14 total blown saves, but because a lot of old-timey baseball stats are dumb, that counts a blown lead by a reliever in any inning and not just the ninth. The answer for how many ninth-inning blown saves has to be found by looking at how many times the Nationals had a lead entering the...

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Opposite dugout: Twins going from worst in MLB to playoff contention

July 06, 2017, 4:14am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Twins going from worst in MLB to playoff contention

Manager: Paul Molitor (3rd season) Record: 43-41 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Miguel SanÃ³ (20 HR, 60 RBIs), DH Robbie Grossman (.253/.382/.389), CF Byron Buxton (16 stolen bases), RHP JosÃ© BerrÃos (3.44 ERA, 1.071 WHIP), RHP Brandon Kintzler (2.41 ERA, 22 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 3-0 Pitching probables: July 6: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. RHP JosÃ© BerrÃos, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 July 7: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Felix Jorge, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 July 8: LHP Wade Miley vs. LHP...

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Dillon Atkinson: It's time to face reality

July 05, 2017, 10:47am

Orioles

Dillon Atkinson: It's time to face reality

If you've followed me on social media or on Orioles Uncensored for the past few years, you've probably been able to get the idea that at times, I rock the orange sunglasses and I drink the orange Kool-Aid. It's not all the time, but I sure have shown my sides of blind optimism about the Orioles. But today, I'm hopping off that train. At least for now, that is. The Orioles are currently 40-43, fourth place in the American League East, and are less than four weeks away from Major League...

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Yard Work: Episode 11

July 04, 2017, 5:24pm

Orioles

Hey, Orioles fans. Welcome to another edition of Yard Work. On this week's episode ... Jonathan Schoop is officially an All-Star! The Orioles second baseman earned his first career selection and will represent the Birds next week in Miami. Schoop's honor is well deserved and a testament to just how far he has progressed in his career. Steve Melewski and I will discuss Schoop's selection and what we expect to see from him next Tuesday. Meanwhile, while it's not quite the All-Star break, the...

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Luke Erickson: Why the Syracuse Chiefs struggle

July 04, 2017, 3:12pm

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Why the Syracuse Chiefs struggle

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs won 61 games in 2016, surpassed by everyone in the International League but Omaha (58). The 2017 edition of the Chiefs is on pace to win just 53 games. In nine seasons of affiliation with the Nationals, the fans in Syracuse, as I've been reminded me on more than one occasion, have seen just two winning seasons - 2012 and 2014. One thing that needs to be made clear is that while Triple-A is the highest classification of the minors, it's no longer where you'll find...

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Andrew Stetka: Schoop's All-Star nod is well-deserved

July 03, 2017, 5:16am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Schoop's All-Star nod is well-deserved

For the first time since 2011, the Orioles will have just one representative at the All-Star Game. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop can always refer to himself as an All-Star now, and rightfully so. While some may have wanted to see Trey Mancini or Welington Castillo get the nod as the O's representative, Schoop is the right man for the job. It's also hard not to feel great for Schoop. He's been stuck in a very deep pool of second basemen in the American League for the first few years of his...

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andrew stetka guest blogger guestblogger jonathan schoop manny machado orioles orioles buzz

Opposite dugout: Power surge has Brewers sitting atop NL Central

July 02, 2017, 3:35pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Power surge has Brewers sitting atop NL Central

Manager: Craig Counsell (3rd season) Record: 44-40 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Eric Thames (.243 with 21 HR, 41 RBIs); 3B Travis Shaw (.291 with 17 HR, 59 RBIs); SS Orlando Arcia (.288 with 8 HR, 27 RBIs); RHP Jimmy Nelson (6-4, 3.43 ERA); RHP Corey Knebel (1.13 ERA, 13 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 3: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Brent Suter; 2:10 p.m., MASNJuly 4: RHP Ubaldo JimÃ©nez vs. RHP Jimmy Nelson; 4:10 p.m., MASN2July 5: RHP...

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Marty Niland: It's far from panic time for Nats fans

July 02, 2017, 1:21pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: It's far from panic time for Nats fans

From the sense of panic among Nationals fans these days, you would think the team is in last place, rather than on a pace to win more than 90 games. Let's calm down and let general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dusty Baker do their jobs. It's far too early for predictions of collapse. After Trea Turner broke his wrist, joining previous leadoff man Adam Eaton on the disabled list, Nats fans on Twitter started posting messages of gloom and doom. Perhaps the best was, "Leading off the the Nats...

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Nationals select infielder Adrian Sanchez

June 30, 2017, 12:22pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of infielder Adrian Sanchez from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, placed shortstop Trea Turner on the 10-day disabled list with a non-displaced fracture of his right wrist, and transferred left-handed pitcher Sammy Solis to the 60-day disabled list. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. This is the first Major League assignment of Sanchez's career, the culmination of 10 years in the...