Josh Land

David Huzzard: Nats should rekindle trade talks for McCutchen

June 30, 2017, 6:01am

Baseball is considered a slow sport. All the discussions on how to get young people to pay attention to the game recently are centered around pace of play, but it sure does seem to move fast at times. A week ago leadoff hitter and shortstop was the least of the Nationals' concerns and this week it has moved to the top of the docket. With a 9 1/2-game lead in the division and every division rival looking like a seller this deadline, the Nationals place atop the division is as secure as it is...

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Zach Wilt: Back end of Orioles bullpen proved its importance on road trip

June 29, 2017, 7:50pm

Orioles

Just like that, the Orioles are back to .500. Last night in Toronto, the Birds took care of business and secured a series win to even their record at 39-39. After being shut out the night before, Ubaldo JimÃ©nez delivered his strongest start of 2017 with eight shutout innings of two-hit ball in the finale against the rival Blue Jays. It's amazing what good starting pitching can do for this club. The Orioles have struggled mightily away from Camden Yards in 2017, going 15-25, but just...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "High Notes"

June 29, 2017, 5:49pm

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "High Notes"

What great reading. What accomplished writing. "High Notes" by Gay Talese was a joy to read. The book contains selected articles written by Gay Talese for the likes of The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly and the New York Times. Talese is one of the most important nonfiction writers of our time, capturing individuals and situations vividly and in color. is unique, expansive magazine articles are becoming a lost art. As Talese points out in notes in the book, editors want quicker reads written in...

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Luke Erickson: A look at the Potomac Nationals at the half

June 27, 2017, 8:14pm

Nationals

While Bill Parcells is wildly overrated as a coach, his maxim of "You are what your record says you are," is spot-on, and applies to the Potomac Nationals this year. The P-Nats almost finished .500 in the first half, falling two games short at 33-37, and haven't been above the break-even mark since May 13. Simply put, they're not quite good enough to win consistently. This is not to say there haven't been bright spots. Victor Robles is the Nationals' No. 1 prospect in the organization and...

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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays trying to overcome slow start to season

June 27, 2017, 5:16am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays trying to overcome slow start to season

Manager: John Gibbons (10th season) Record: 36-39 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Justin Smoak (.304 with 20 HR, 48 RBIs), 3B Josh Donaldson (.280/.379/.536), DH Kendrys Morales (15 HR, 44 RBIs), RHP Marcus Stroman (7-4, 3.69 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (19 saves, 2.40 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-7 Pitching probables: June 27: RHP Kevin Gausman v. RHP Joe Biagini, 7:07 p.m., MASN2June 28: LHP Wade Miley v. RHP Marcus Stroman, 7:07 p.m., MASN2June 29: RHP Ubaldo JimÃ©nez v. RHP J.A....

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Marty Niland: Cubs-Nats series is loaded with history

June 26, 2017, 5:22am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Cubs-Nats series is loaded with history

If a date with the World Series champions and a potential postseason preview won't give Nationals fans enough to talk about this week, the Nats' series with the Cubs will offer plenty of history. The two teams, as well as mangers Joe Maddon of the Cubs and Dusty Baker of the Nationals, have a more than bit of a past between and among them, and we only have to go back to last season to start. The Nationals were coming off a blistering 16-7 April and had won three of their first four in May...

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Andrew Stetka: If Orioles sell, who could actually be moved?

June 26, 2017, 5:07am

Orioles

With five weeks to go until baseball's non-waiver trade deadline, teams are starting to assess whether or not they will be buyers or sellers at the end of July. It's a conversation every front office has this time of year, and it's no different for the Orioles. What is different this year than from recent seasons is the position the Birds find themselves in. Despite being below the .500 mark, the O's find themselves only a handful of games out of a playoff spot. Teams have made crazier runs...

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Opposite dugout: Defending champion Cubs still out of sorts

June 25, 2017, 6:10pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Defending champion Cubs still out of sorts

Manager: Joe Maddon (3rd season)Record: 38-37 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Kris Bryant (.263 with 16 HR, 31 RBIs); 1B Anthony Rizzo (.261 with 17 HR, 48 RBIs); SS Addison Russell (.232 with 53 hits); RHP Jake Arrieta (7-5, 4.36 ERA); LHP Jon Lester (5-4, 3.83 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1st meeting (5-2 in 2016) Pitching probables: Monday, June 26: RHP Eddie Butler vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASNTuesday, June 27: RHP Jake Arrieta vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m.,...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Baltimore Elite Giants"

June 25, 2017, 11:26am

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Baltimore Elite Giants"

Getting ready to leave on a trip with the Orioles and realizing I had finished the book I had with me, I asked Buck Showalter if I could borrow one from his office. I picked up the "The Baltimore Elite Giants" by Bob Luke from his office side table and he said, "You'll like it." Right again. The book covers the team from beginning to integration. The trip is one rocky road, filled with financial, development, marketing and racial problems from beginning to end. More importantly, it is the...

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Zach Wilt: Even former O's starting pitchers are underperforming

June 23, 2017, 5:33am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Even former O's starting pitchers are underperforming

Starting pitching has been the story of the 2017 season for the Orioles. It seems to be a topic every night in Charm City as the Birds have again fallen below .500 at 35-37 and their rotation has produced just two quality starts in their last 16 games. Collectively, the O's pitching staff has allowed five or more runs in 19 consecutive games and they have gone 6-13 over that span. Last week, I wrote about the Orioles' production in June 2016 when they went 19-9 and finished the month with a...

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David Huzzard: Nats should look at other trade possibilities

June 22, 2017, 6:24pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats should look at other trade possibilities

The 2017 Nationals are a confusing team to follow. They are a combination of the best run-producing team in baseball, a huge division lead, a strong top of the rotation and one of the worst bullpens ever constructed. That last one gets most of the attention and it needs to be addressed, but it is not the Nationals' only weakness heading into the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The bullpen is the obvious area of concern and it's where the Nationals focus will be, but it will also be where...

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Dillon Atkinson: Orioles offense being asked to perform a difficult task

June 21, 2017, 7:18am

Orioles

After dropping the series opener to the Indians on Monday night by the score of 12-0, the Orioles came back to even up the series at one game apiece by defeating the Tribe 6-5 Tuesday evening. Although they counted differently in the win-loss column, there's one thing that's common between not only those two scores, but the scores of the past 17 games. In each of the last 17 games, and 21 of the last 24, the Orioles have allowed their opponents to score five or more runs. The 17-game stretch...

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Yard Work: Episode 10

June 21, 2017, 6:32am

Orioles

Hey, Orioles fans. Welcome to another edition of Yard Work. On this week's episode ... The struggles continue for the O's, who have fallen to fourth place in the American League East and are hovering near the .500 mark. Both sides of the ball have been problematic, but it begins with starting pitching, where the Birds have allowed five or more runs in 17 consecutive games. A number of fans are saying it's time for a complete overhaul, but with a closing competitive window, is now the time to...

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Luke Erickson: Looking at the Hagerstown Suns at the half

June 19, 2017, 5:53pm

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Looking at the Hagerstown Suns at the half

For most baseball fans, the All-Star Game is considered the halfway point of the season. In the minors, that's this week for two of the four full-season affiliates - the Hagerstown Suns (low Single-A) and the Potomac Nationals (high Single-A). This week, we'll take a look at how the Suns have done and who might be moving up, then next week we'll examine the P-Nats. While winning is not the goal of the minors - development is - it's still something to shoot for and root for. For most of the...

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Andrew Stetka: Hardy's absence will create a new look in O's infield

June 19, 2017, 5:30am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Hardy's absence will create a new look in O's infield

With J.J. Hardy set to become the latest member of the Orioles to make a trip to the disabled list, parts are going to continue to move for the Birds. It's just the latest in a string of injuries that has recently included first baseman Chris Davis, along with the likes of Zach Britton and Darren O'Day out of the bullpen. Nothing new for the Orioles, but it could certainly spell new looks in the near and distant future. We don't know exactly how long Hardy's injury will keep him off the...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins can hit for average, but power not producing enough

June 19, 2017, 4:11am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins can hit for average, but power not producing enough

Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season) Record: 30-37 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordon (.293 with 27 SB), LF Marcell Ozuna (18 HR, 49 RBIs), 1B Justin Bour (17 HR, 44 RBIs), RF Giancarlo Stanton (17 HR, .277/.358/.542), RHP AJ Ramos (4.30 ERA, 9 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 19: RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP Justin Nicolino, 7:10 p.m., MASN2June 20: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Edinson Volquez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2June 21: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Dan Straily,...

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Opposite dugout: Indians seizing control in AL Central

June 18, 2017, 7:21pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Indians seizing control in AL Central

Manager: Terry Francona (5th season) Record: 36-31 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 3B JosÃ© RamÃrez (.313 with 11 HR, 34 RBIs); DH Edwin EncarnaciÃ³n (.261 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs); CF Michael Brantley (.296 with 61 hits); RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-3, 3.21 ERA); RHP Corey Kluber (5-2, 4.15 ERA). Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-5 in 2016) Pitching probables: Monday, June 19: RHP Corey Kluber vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASNTuesday, June 20: RHP Josh Tomlin vs. RHP Chris Tillman,...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "James Joyce"

June 18, 2017, 1:07pm

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "James Joyce"

For those who would like to learn more about James Joyce, but are not prepared to sit down with the pages of lengthy biographies, Edna O'Brien's "James Joyce" is a worthy read. O'Brien explores the forces that drove Joyce as a writer, which necessitates a continual look at his life and times. Joyce was forever the troubled writer. He excessive drinking lead to personal and professional problems. His internal battle with Catholicism lingered a lifetime. Money was an endless problem and that...

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gary thorne hitting the books orioles

Nationals recall right-hander A.J. Cole

June 18, 2017, 6:31am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and placed right-handed pitcher Shawn Kelley on the 10-day disabled list with a right trapezius strain (retroactive to June 17). Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Cole, 25, joins the Nationals for his second Major League assignment of the season. The right-hander was with Washington's big league club from May 2-12 and made one start,...

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Opposite dugout: Underachieving Cardinals still a threat in NL Central

June 16, 2017, 5:23am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Underachieving Cardinals still a threat in NL Central

Manager: Mike Matheny (6th season) Record: 30-35 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Jedd Gyorko (.295/.344/.490 with 8 HR, 27 RBIs), 1B Matt Carpenter (.244/.365/.475 with 12 HR, 36 RBIs), CF Dexter Fowler (10 HR, 28 RBIs), RHP Carlos MartÃnez (5-5, 2.95 ERA), RHP Lance Lynn (5-3, 2.69 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 16: RHP Carlos MartÃnez vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June 17: RHP Adam Wainwright vs. LHP Wade Miley, 4:05...