Roch Kubatko

Cruz with another home run tale against Tigers (O's lead 3-2)

October 02, 2014, 2:13pm

Orioles

Cruz with another home run tale against Tigers (O's lead 3-2)

The Orioles got sentimental today before Game 1 of the American League Division Series, arranging for injured third baseman Manny Machado to throw the ceremonial first pitch to injured catcher Matt Wieters. Soon after, Nelson Cruz got serious and put a hurting on the Tigers. Cruz hit a two-run homer on the first pitch thrown to him by Max Scherzer to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. The Tigers tied the score in the second on back-to-back home runs by Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez, raising...

Tags:

Jimenez on being in bullpen for ALDS and Chen on making Game 2 start

October 02, 2014, 12:34pm

Orioles

Jimenez on being in bullpen for ALDS and Chen on making Game 2 start

The Orioles have finished batting practice and the Tigers are taking their turn in the cage. Ubaldo Jimenez stopped to sign a few autographs before ducking inside the clubhouse. A brutal season has taken a turn upward for him, capped by his inclusion on the Division Series roster. "I was wondering because I didn't know what was going to happen," he said. "I finished strong, but I didn't know. I realize that all of the guys have been doing their jobs, so it was a tough call, but I was...

Tags:

orioles alds ubaldo jimenez wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles2

Chen named Game 2 starter

October 02, 2014, 10:56am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will start Friday afternoon in Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Camden Yards. Chen has allowed six earned runs in 11 innings over two career starts against the Tigers. Left-handers Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland, omitted from the Division Series roster, will be introduced tonight and sit in the bullpen. They will stay with the club throughout the series. "It was tough," Showalter said while...

Tags:

orioles alds alexi casilla brian matusz featured_sidebar quintin berry tj mcfarland ubaldo jimenez wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles2

Orioles lineup for Game 1 of ALDS (plus Tigers lineup)

October 02, 2014, 10:11am

Orioles

The Orioles have posted their lineup for Game 1 of the American League Division Series, and it has Ryan Flaherty at third base tonight with Jimmy Paredes and Kelly Johnson coming off the bench. Flaherty played third more than any other position this year, appearing there in 43 of his 102 games. As expected, Nick Hundley is catching Chris Tillman. The two have formed a battery in 18 of Tillman's 34 starts, and the right-hander pitched to a 2.78 ERA when throwing to Hundley. For the...

Tags:

chris tillman nick hundley orioles ryan flaherty frontstory_orioles2

Looking at the Orioles' omissions on ALDS roster

October 02, 2014, 9:33am

Orioles

With Kevin Gausman and Ubaldo Jimenez placed in the Orioles bullpen in the American League Division Series, a couple of relievers had to be removed in order to create space on an 11-man pitching staff. Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland were the logical choices based on the Tigers' roster, which includes only three left-handed hitters. But Matusz has been with the club all season and McFarland was quickly recalled after starting out with Triple-A Norfolk. Also, manager Buck Showalter always...

Tags:

orioles alds brian matusz david lough jimmy paredes quintin berry tj mcfarland ubaldo jimenez frontstory_orioles2

Jimenez included on ALDS roster

October 02, 2014, 6:45am

Orioles

The Orioles will carry 11 pitchers in the American League Division Series that begins later today at Camden Yards, and left-handed relievers Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland aren't included. Ubaldo Jimenez has made the final cut and apparently will work out of the bullpen. Anyone surprised by these developments? I wrote this morning that manager Buck Showalter was likely to reduce the number of left-handers due to the Tigers being predominately a right-handed team. Closer Zach Britton and...

Tags:

orioles alds david lough featured_sidebar ubaldo jimenez frontstory_orioles2

Waiting on the Division Series roster to be revealed

October 01, 2014, 8:10pm

Orioles

Waiting on the Division Series roster to be revealed

Orioles manager Buck Showalter must turn in his roster for the American League Division Series by 10 a.m. today. It's pretty much set in his mind, along with a rotation that he's already passed along to Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. He's just in no rush to share it with reporters. Showalter wants to make certain that he's not forced into any late changes. Everyone made it through yesterday's workout without incident. It's safe to go with his original list. Showalter said he's been debating...

Tags:

orioles adam jones brian matusz bud norris featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles kevin gausman

Orioles get early slot for Game 2

October 01, 2014, 7:27pm

Orioles

The starting times have been determined for the first three games of the American League Division Series between the Orioles and Tigers. First pitch for Game 2 on Friday at Camden Yards is set for 12:07 p.m. following the Giants' victory tonight over the Pirates in the National League wild card game. It would have started three hours later if Pittsburgh had been victorious. Game 1 on Thursday is set for 5:37 p.m., and Game 3 on Sunday at Comerica Park is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The times for...

Tags:

orioles alds buck showalter kevin gausman frontstory_orioles2

Showalter, Tillman and Jones talk before today's workout

October 01, 2014, 3:22pm

Orioles

Showalter, Tillman and Jones talk before today's workout

Orioles manager Buck Showalter and Game 1 starting pitcher Chris Tillman were brought into the interview area - it's not actually a room - before today's workout at Camden Yards. The clubhouse opened to the media for an hour, but it will be closed prior to the Division Series games, per Major League Baseball rules. Here's a portion of the transcripts from today's interviews, starting with Showalter: On whether the intensity is picking up "I don't feel like it's picking up. I mean,...

Tags:

orioles adam jones alds buck showalter chris tillman frontstory_orioles2

Showalter debating 10 or 11 pitchers, Gausman to 'pen, Machado with team

October 01, 2014, 1:52pm

Orioles

Showalter debating 10 or 11 pitchers, Gausman to 'pen, Machado with team

The Orioles are working out at Camden Yards this afternoon before opening the Division Series on Thursday against the Tigers. Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson spoke to the team before they headed out to the field. Manager Buck Showalter was late to his media session, but as he said, "I couldn't shorten Brooks up." "I didn't want to miss that," Showalter added. "That's pretty good there. Wish he could have kept going. He may come back. That was pretty cool." Showalter still hasn't...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles kevin gausman manny machado alds

How Orioles hitters match up against Tigers rotation

October 01, 2014, 5:52am

Orioles

Did you wake up this morning nursing a Ned Yost hangover and appreciating Buck Showalter just a little bit more than usual? One of the biggest challenges for any manager is handling a bullpen. I've seen it done poorly and I've seen Showalter practically master the art. The Royals have a great 'pen and they advanced to the Division Series, but they must be doing it with mirrors, because Yost is a poor reflection of... OK, you get the point. Let the man up. Wait, I've got one more. Yost...

Tags:

orioles adam jones nick markakis alds frontstory_orioles2

Duquette: "I like our chances with this ballclub"

September 30, 2014, 4:48pm

Orioles

Duquette: "I like our chances with this ballclub"

We're down to the final workout before Game 1 of the Division Series. One more day and Camden Yards comes alive again - dressed in orange, volume cranked to the maximum. The 5:37 p.m. starting time may not suit everyone, but why complain when the alternative is spending the postseason on your couch? As Orioles manager Buck Showalter says, you show up when they tell you and you play the games. Chris Tillman opposes Max Scherzer in Game 1. Showalter should clue us in on the rest of his...

Tags:

orioles dan duquette featured_sidebar chris davis delmon young nelson cruz alds frontstory_orioles2

Tigers announce starters for Division Series

September 30, 2014, 9:33am

Orioles

Tigers announce starters for Division Series

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters today in Detroit that he's sending Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, David Price and Rick Porcello to the mound for the Division Series. Mickey Lolich must not be available. Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA in 33 starts) is 3-1 with a 3.92 ERA in six career starts against the Orioles, with nine walks and 45 strikeouts in 39 innings, and 1-0 with a 4.95 ERA in three starts at Camden Yards. Scherzer is 11-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 14 starts at home and 7-4 with a 3.49...

Tags:

orioles alds frontstory_orioles2

Quick update on Davis

September 30, 2014, 7:42am

Orioles

Chris Davis is making another start at third base today in the instructional league. He's scheduled to play five innings and receive a minimum of four at-bats in a game against the Red Sox in Sarasota. Davis also started at third base yesterday against the Rays in Port Charlotte. He flied out to right field, lifted a sacrifice fly to right-center, grounded a single into right and struck out. Davis made his instructional league debut on Friday in Sarasota, collecting an infield hit and a walk...

Tags:

orioles chris davis featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

This, that and the other

September 29, 2014, 4:35pm

Orioles

The Orioles will conduct the first of their two workouts today at Camden Yards, which is closed to the media. Reporters will have access to the team on Wednesday. Manager Buck Showalter indicated that he may finalize his Division Series roster today rather than wait until the 10 a.m. deadline on Thursday. No sense dragging it out. Showalter doesn't want to leave players in limbo, especially the ones who have been with the club all season but may not be included on the roster. Yesterday, I...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter featured_sidebar john russell manny machado frontstory_orioles3

Division Series start times announced through Sunday

September 29, 2014, 2:07pm

Orioles

Division Series start times announced through Sunday

Major League Baseball has announced the starting times of the Division Series games through Sunday. Game 1 between the Orioles and Tigers at Camden Yards will start at 5:37 p.m. if the Royals win the American League wild card game, and 6:07 p.m. if the Athletics are victorious. Game 2 on Friday at Camden Yards will begin at 3:07 p.m. if the Pirates win the National League wild card game, and 12:07 p.m. if the Giants are victorious. Game 3 on Sunday in Detroit is slated for 3:45 p.m. That time...

Tags:

orioles alds featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Cruz named finalist for Hank Aaron Award

September 29, 2014, 12:12pm

Orioles

Cruz named finalist for Hank Aaron Award

The word on the street is that Major League Baseball won't announce the starting times for the American League Division Series until Tuesday. I don't know what time they're going to announce it. I don't even now what time it is as I'm typing this entry. I do know that MAVTV, a channel I've never heard of until today, is currently showing "Brian's Song." I will not cry. I will not cry. I will ... Nelson Cruz has been named as one of 30 finalists for the 2014 Hank Aaron Award. Each club...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar nelson cruz frontstory_orioles2

Esposito wins Gold Glove

September 29, 2014, 8:56am

Orioles

Single-A Frederick third baseman Jason Esposito, the Orioles' second-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University, has been named a Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipient. Esposito, 24, is the first Keys player to win the award, which was reintroduced to the minors in 2011 after a nearly 50-year hiatus. I don't know what time Esposito will receive it, and I still don't have confirmation on starting times for the Division Series. In 118 games, Esposito paced all...

Tags:

orioles jason esposito frontstory_orioles2

Looking back and ahead (with note)

September 28, 2014, 4:38pm

Orioles

I'm wondering whether fans are in a reflective mood today or focused entirely on the Division Series. My guess is the latter, with maybe a few exceptions. The regular season is over, but the Orioles aren't done playing. Game 1 is set for Thursday against the Tigers at Camden Yards, with an anticipated start time of 6 p.m. That is not official. Major League Baseball should send out a release later today. These two teams have never met in the postseason. I've got to cancel my hotel room...

Tags:

orioles chris tillman featured_sidebar nelson cruz zach britton frontstory_orioles2

Today's lineup could be repeated in Game 1 (O's win 1-0, to face Tigers in ALDS)

September 28, 2014, 9:18am

Orioles

Today's lineup could be repeated in Game 1 (O's win 1-0, to face Tigers in ALDS)

Did Orioles manager Buck Showalter give us a preview today of his Game 1 lineup in the Division Series? He's not going to say so, but it looks that way to me. Ryan Flaherty has two of the six errors that Orioles third basemen have committed over the last nine games, but he's regarded as a good defender at every infield position and he's got Showalter's trust. I'd expect him to be the regular third baseman in the playoffs, but we'll see. Orioles third basemen committed 13 errors last...