Roch Kubatko

A few thoughts on ALCS rotation and roster

October 06, 2014, 6:15pm

Orioles

A few thoughts on ALCS rotation and roster

The Orioles are working out today at Camden Yards. The session is closed to the public. The media qualifies as public, so we won't be there. I've been asked about the rotation and 25-man roster for the American League Championship Series. Did we learn nothing from the Division Series? Manager Buck Showalter isn't going to show his hand this early. Chris Tillman seems a lock to pitch Game 1 on Friday. I've had fans float Miguel Gonzalez's name, since he didn't pitch in the ALDS and he...

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Times announced for ALCS, Britton leaves team for birth of son

October 06, 2014, 1:34pm

Orioles

Times announced for ALCS, Britton leaves team for birth of son

Major League Baseball has announced the starting times for the first two games of the American League Championship Series at Camden Yards, and the Orioles will be subjected to another day game. Not that the earlier hours were an issue in the Division Series. Game 1 between the Orioles and Royals is scheduled for Friday at 8:07 p.m. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday at 4:07 p.m., followed by Game 1 of the NLCS at 8:07 p.m. Times for the rest of the series, which moves to Kansas City on Monday,...

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Stinson elects free agency

October 06, 2014, 12:06pm

Orioles

Right-hander Josh Stinson, who broke camp with the Orioles as a long reliever, has chosen to become a minor league free agent. Stinson's name appears on a list of 43 players provided by Baseball America. Stinson allowed nine runs and 16 hits in 13 innings over eight appearances for a 6.23 ERA. He walked six and struck out six. Stinson went 5-5 with a 5.48 ERA in 22 games (13 starts) at Triple-A Norfolk. He made the Orioles' roster out of spring training after allowing only two unearned runs...

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Leftovers for breakfast (O's to arrive at Camden Yards at 3:30 p.m.)

October 05, 2014, 8:25pm

Orioles

Leftovers for breakfast (O's to arrive at Camden Yards at 3:30 p.m.)

DETROIT - May as well sip mimosas this morning with the leftovers. There's plenty of champagne left. In case you missed my update late last night, the Orioles have home-field advantage through the rest of the postseason after the Royals swept the Angels in the American League Division Series. Orioles and Royals in the Championship Series. How many experts picked that one? Game 1 of the ALCS is scheduled for Friday at Camden Yards, followed by Game 2 on Saturday. The Royals will host Games...

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Showalter on first ALCS: "It's not going to drive my life" (O's-K.C. in ALCS)

October 05, 2014, 5:58pm

Orioles

Showalter on first ALCS: "It's not going to drive my life" (O's-K.C. in ALCS)

DETROIT - As Orioles manager Buck Showalter sat down in the interview room following today's 2-1 victory over the Tigers, a reporter offered congratulations on his first series win. "Really?" Showalter replied in mock surprise. "I got one in Albany." He got a much bigger one in Detroit. The Orioles swept the Tigers in the American League Division Series, enabling Showalter to reach his first Championship Series. "They're all relevant," Showalter said. "It feels good. It means we...

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Comments from Britton, Markakis, Norris, Hardy, Jones and Pearce

October 05, 2014, 4:59pm

Orioles

Comments from Britton, Markakis, Norris, Hardy, Jones and Pearce

DETROIT - The Orioles did the obligatory champagne and beer celebration today after completing their sweep of the Tigers in the American League Division Series with a 2-1 victory at Comerica Park. However, it was muted compared to the craziness at Camden Yards after they clinched the division. Players hustled into the food room to fill their plates and watch the Royals and Angels in the other ALDS. The Orioles will host Game 1 of the Championship Series on Friday if Kansas City, up 2-0 in...

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Cruz homer gives Orioles lead (Orioles sweep Tigers, headed to ALCS)

October 05, 2014, 2:13pm

Orioles

DETROIT - Nelson Cruz broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning today with a two-run homer off Tigers left-hander David Price. The Orioles lead 2-0 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Cruz continues his assault on postseason pitching. Cruz has 16 career playoff home runs, tied with Carlos Beltran for ninth on the all-time list. He just passed Babe Ruth. Cruz is 6-for-11 with two homers and five RBIs in the series. Price was working on a two-hit shutout before Adam...

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Getting ready to start Game 3 (still scoreless)

October 05, 2014, 11:44am

Orioles

Getting ready to start Game 3 (still scoreless)

DETROIT - Plenty of empty seats at Comerica Park as we prepare for the first pitch in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Fans must be heading over here from Ford Field after the Lions game. Tickets were still available this morning. There were lines at the ticket window. Fans were given white towels to wave, which is a dubious choice of color, considering that their team is down 2-0 in games. I would have gone with blue. Former Tiger Delmon Young heard some boos upon being...

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Showalter on left field decision and Russell

October 05, 2014, 10:30am

Orioles

Showalter on left field decision and Russell

DETROIT - The Orioles are taking batting practice this afternoon while the Lions play the Bills across the street. Manager Buck Showalter decided to start Delmon Young in left field and use Nelson Cruz as the designated hitter. His primary reason involves not wanting to lose Cruz's bat while making a late defensive substitution. "Delmon has played left field as well as anybody," Showalter said. "He's very familiar with this ballpark, a bigger left field line than other places. You have...

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Russell expected to interview for Twins job

October 05, 2014, 9:51am

Orioles

Russell expected to interview for Twins job

DETROIT - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he expects the Twins to interview bench coach John Russell for their vacant managerial position. The Twins fired Ron Gardenhire last week, the first manager they've dismissed since Ray Miller in 1986. Russell has a close relationship with general manager Terry Ryan and will be brought in for an interview after the playoffs. As I wrote last week, Showalter values Russell's contributions as bench coach and catching instructor. However, he also...

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Orioles lineup vs. Tigers in Game 3

October 05, 2014, 8:37am

Orioles

DETROIT - Steve Pearce is batting second today for the Orioles and Delmon Young is playing left field in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Nick Hundley is behind the plate and Ryan Flaherty remains at third base. The Orioles are seeking their first playoff sweep since the 1971 American League Championship Series against the Athletics, which used to consist of five games. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Delmon Young LF J.J. Hardy...

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Tigers lineup vs. Orioles in Game 3

October 05, 2014, 7:24am

Orioles

DETROIT - Rajai Davis is out of the Tigers lineup today for Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Comerica Park. Davis was included on the ALDS roster despite a groin injury that has limited his innings on the field. Don Kelly is playing center field today while Davis sits on the bench. For the Tigers Ian Kinsler 2B Torii Hunter RF Miguel Cabrera 1B Victor Martinez DH J.D. Martinez LF Alex Avila C Nick Castellanos 3B Andrew Romine SS Don Kelly CF David Price LHP The...

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Notes on Young and Schoop before Game 3 of ALDS

October 04, 2014, 6:55pm

Orioles

Notes on Young and Schoop before Game 3 of ALDS

DETROIT - The weather this morning seems better suited for November baseball. The Orioles should be able to chill the champagne and beer without ice. They're one win away from advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 1997. The elements and early start times don't faze them. It's business as usual for a team that won 96 games during the regular season and took the division by 12, yet remains an underdog and an inexplicable success story to so...

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Jones: "We tee high and let it fly"

October 04, 2014, 2:40pm

Orioles

DETROIT - No matter where a series shifts in the playoffs, the Orioles are going to remain the same. They will continue to be aggressive at the plate, regardless of the situation. And they make no apologies for it. "You just let it go, man," said center fielder Adam Jones before heading outside to take his swings in batting practice. "You've seen us all year. We tee high and let it fly. That's been our motto. Sometimes it's good, sometimes we look crazy for six, seven innings, but...

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Notes on the Game 3 lineup, defense at third base, Davis and more

October 04, 2014, 12:53pm

Orioles

Notes on the Game 3 lineup, defense at third base, Davis and more

DETROIT - Now that we know the Orioles' starter for Game 3 of the American League Division Series, we can start playing around with the lineup that will face Tigers left-hander David Price. It appears that Ryan Flaherty will make another start at third base despite the presence of a southpaw on the mound. Manager Buck Showalter trusts Flaherty's defense. Also, left-handers are batting .258 against Price this season and right-handers are hitting .234. Flaherty batted .288 in September and he...

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Norris: "There's nothing holding me back"

October 04, 2014, 11:54am

Orioles

Norris: "There's nothing holding me back"

DETROIT - Bud Norris was told yesterday on the flight to Detroit that he would start Game 3 of the American League Division Series. "Going into the postseason, we knew that anything was possible, and Buck (Showalter) said for all of us to be ready," Norris said. "He said he wanted to move things around and said, 'You got the ball in Game 3.' And I got excited and came prepared for tomorrow." Norris will be appearing in his first playoff game with a chance to pitch the Orioles into the...

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Showalter on decision to start Norris in Game 3

October 04, 2014, 10:34am

Orioles

Showalter on decision to start Norris in Game 3

DETROIT - The Orioles are taking batting practice this afternoon at Comerica Park while also braving the cold. Temperatures have dipped into the 40s and players are wearing hooded sweatshirts. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is sporting the Orioles wool cap that was given to fans at a recent game. We learned today that Bud Norris will start Game 3 on Sunday afternoon. Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that Miguel Gonzalez would take the mound, saying, "It would be fairly safe...

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Norris to start Game 3 (plus ALCS ticket info)

October 04, 2014, 8:49am

Orioles

Norris to start Game 3 (plus ALCS ticket info)

DETROIT - Right-hander Bud Norris is now listed as the Orioles' starter for Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Sunday at Comerica Park. Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that Miguel Gonzalez would start the contest while Norris would be in the bullpen and was likely to start Game 4 on Monday, if needed. Gonalez said he was told Friday that he would start Game 4 if the O's don't clinch with Norris starting Game 3. Norris and Showalter will meet with reporters this...

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Orioles only team able to spell relief in ALDS

October 03, 2014, 6:16pm

Orioles

If I'm Tigers bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer, I'm pretending that the phone is on vibrate and I never heard it ring. Manager Brad Ausmus may not buy that excuse, but what does Billmeyer have to lose? The Tigers have lost the first two games of the American League Division Series because their relievers can't hold a lead or keep a game close. The Orioles have scored 12 runs in the eighth inning alone. They scored 10 in the entire 2012 ALDS against the Yankees. Joba Chamberlain and Joakim Soria...

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Rest of ALDS times announced, Guilmet traded

October 03, 2014, 2:34pm

Orioles

Rest of ALDS times announced, Guilmet traded

If the Orioles can't close out the American League Division Series on Sunday, you'll need to know the starting times for Game 4 and a possible Game 5. Game 4 on Monday at Comerica Park will begin at 12:07 p.m. unless the Royals sweep the Angels in the other Division Series. If that happens, the Orioles and Tigers will start up at 1:37 p.m. Either way, the baseball gods are testing the Orioles' ability to win day games. Game 5 on Wednesday at Camden Yards would begin at 5:37 p.m. if the...