Showalter: "You really think the trade rumors will get quieted?"

Showalter: "You really think the trade rumors will get quieted?"
The question came across as innocent, though it's not always clear when delivered by Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Showalter usually knows the answer and seems to be testing his audience. Maybe that was the intent yesterday afternoon during his pregame media session. We took the bait. Before delving into the latest dissection of Trey Mancini's season, Showalter asked, "Who's the Rookie of the Year frontrunner?" "Aaron Judge" came the response from pretty much everyone in the room, the...

Orioles complete sweep of Rangers with 9-7 win (with quotes)

Orioles complete sweep of Rangers with 9-7 win (with quotes)
The Orioles' streak of quality starts ended tonight in the top of the fifth inning. They settled for tacking on another win. Seemed like a better plan. Down by four runs in the middle innings, the Orioles again rode their rejuvenated offense to a 9-7 victory over the Rangers before an announced crowd of 14,691 at Camden Yards that completed a four-game sweep. Jonathan Schoop, Adam Jones, Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis homered for the Orioles, who ran the table on the Rangers in a four-game series...

Showalter ignoring the standings again (O's lead 9-5)

Showalter ignoring the standings again (O's lead 9-5)
With the Red Sox losing this afternoon, the Orioles already gained a half-game in the division race to leave them 7 1/2 back as they get ready to finish their series against the Rangers. They're also 3 1/2 behind in the wild card chase, but manager Buck Showalter isn't interested. Showalter makes it appear that he's not even a casual observer. "I haven't (looked) in about three or four weeks," he said. Told that his club was four games below .500, Showalter replied, "I didn't know that,...

Santander and Flaherty to begin rehab assignments July 27

Santander and Flaherty to begin rehab assignments July 27
The Orioles are skipping batting practice today due to the heat index. They're taking their hitting act indoors. "It didn't make a whole lot of sense," said manager Buck Showalter. "Hoping it clears." The offense already is hot with 25 runs scored in the first three games of the series. The Orioles hit 2,490 home runs at Memorial Stadium from 1954-1991. They've hit 2,490 at Camden Yards since it opened in 1992. Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander, who's been rehabbing his right forearm down...

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers
Welington Castillo is behind the plate tonight and Joey Rickard remains in right field, as the Orioles attempt to complete a four-games sweep of the Rangers. Adam Jones' 15 home runs against the Rangers are his highest total against a team outside the American League East. Jonathan Schoop's next double will be the 100th of his career. Caleb Joseph is batting .307 (23-for-75) in 28 home games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Orioles were batting .203 with the bases loaded before last...

Notes on rumors, tonight's game, Joseph and minor matters

Notes on rumors, tonight's game, Joseph and minor matters
The Orioles are doing a lousy impression of a team that's focused on the future. Players hear and read the rumors. They're aware of the vulnerability of their top relievers. They, too, wonder how they can remain competitive if the bullpen, the team's undisputed strength, is torn down at the back end. One player told me yesterday that he'd be surprised if Zach Britton or Brad Brach isn't traded. Not necessarily both, but one of them. Britton and Brach sat next to each other yesterday before...

Orioles score in double digits again in 10-2 win (with quotes)

Orioles score in double digits again in 10-2 win (with quotes)
If this is how the Orioles are going to respond to trade rumors and the notion that they're sellers, the front office should plant the idea a few days after they break camp. Kevin Gausman turned in the rotation's third consecutive quality start and the Orioles batted around in the seventh inning and assured themselves of a series win with a 10-2 victory over the Rangers before an announced sweaty crowd of 15,693 at Camden Yards. The Orioles are 45-49 overall and 28-19 at home. They've...

Tejada trying to extend hot streak into tonight's game (O's win 10-2)

Tejada trying to extend hot streak into tonight's game (O's win 10-2)
With Johnny Giavotella on the roster strictly as a second baseman, Rubén Tejada has settled into a role as the everyday shortstop for the Orioles. Paul Janish was designated for assignment and again outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. The only alternative in J.J. Hardy's absence seems to be moving second baseman Jonathan Schoop to the left side of the infield, which has happened only twice in the starting lineup. Manager Buck Showalter has kept Manny Machado at third base. Machado apparently...

Notes on Britton, trade rumors, Harvey, Flaherty and Castro

Notes on Britton, trade rumors, Harvey, Flaherty and Castro
Orioles manager Buck Showalter has declared left-hander Zach Britton ready to resume closing at the next opportunity. Britton has entered games in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings since coming off the disabled list again, and he hasn't been used in a save situation. He finished up last night's 12-1 win over the Rangers. The last of Britton's five saves came on April 14 in Toronto before his first trip to the disabled list. "He's ready to go," Showalter said. "If we get in a close...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
The Orioles will try tonight to build their first three-game winning streak since June 24-27. Another quality start tonight from Kevin Gausman would give the Orioles three in a row for the first time since May 19-21. The Orioles are alone in fourth place, eight games behind the first-place Yankees and 4 ½ out for the second wild card. Joey Rickard is in right field tonight with the Rangers starting left-hander Martín Pérez. Caleb Joseph is catching. According to the Elias Sports...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Not that more examples are required to drive home the point that the Orioles' rotation has been a mess, but Kevin Gausman's 71 earned runs allowed ranked highest in the majors before last night, followed by Ubaldo Jiménez and the Giants' Matt Moore with 68. Gausman's 20 starts were tied for first. It's a large sample size. Gausman brings a 6.39 ERA and 1.790 WHIP into tonight's game against the Rangers. Since tossing seven scoreless innings against the Rays, he's allowed a combined 13...

Bundy with another quality start in 12-1 romp (with quotes)

Bundy with another quality start in 12-1 romp (with quotes)
The Orioles are a streaky little bunch. And that includes little streaks. They won the last two games before the break, were swept by the Cubs in a three-game series to start the second half and have beaten the Rangers twice in a row. These are small-sample-size streaks, but they've again put the Orioles five games below .500 and intensified the debate over buyers versus sellers versus standing pat. Chris Davis homered twice and drove in six runs, belting his eighth career grand slam, and...

Duquette weighs deals for "this year and future years"

Duquette weighs deals for "this year and future years"
The Orioles suddenly are playing again like a club that hasn't conceded the 2017 season, no matter its placement in the standings and the wild card race. The optimism comes and goes, just like the run production that resurfaced in the first inning. To be determined is how many of the current players will be part of any attempts to make another run at contention. Majority owner Peter G. Angelos met early this afternoon with executive vice president Dan Duquette regarding the direction of the...

Showalter on Wright, Britton, Givens and Bundy

Showalter on Wright, Britton, Givens and Bundy
Slow news day this afternoon at Camden Yards. Nothing in the way of significant injury updates. Utility infielder Ryan Flaherty may not be ready to begin a rehab assignment later this week, but there haven't been any setbacks. Mike Wright remains with the Gulf Coast League team and will get another start after pitching yesterday and allowing four runs in two-thirds of an inning. Manager Buck Showalter said he continues to view Wright as a starter, though the former third-round pick out of East...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
No surprises in the Orioles' lineup tonight. Seth Smith continues to bat seventh, with Adam Jones in the leadoff spot. Trey Mancini continues to play left field, with Hyun Soo Kim on the bench. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Orioles and Nationals are tied for the major league lead with 11 games won while scoring three runs or fewer. The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association has chosen Jones as the Orioles' recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award for the fifth time. The...

Bundy set up to top last year's innings total

Bundy set up to top last year's innings total
If anyone chose July 18 as the date that Dylan Bundy surpassed last year's innings total, go directly to the window and wait to collect your money. Shake your head in amazement if you're denied. Question your luck. Change hobbies immediately. It's not a sure thing with two innings required, but your chances are pretty solid. Take your place in line. Bundy has amassed 108 innings after totaling 109 2/3 in 2016. He isn't on a serious roll at the moment, but it's no joke that he's been the...

Orioles find recipe for first second-half win (with Showalter quotes)

Orioles find recipe for first second-half win (with Showalter quotes)
This is how it looks when a starting pitcher is largely effective and the offense perks up at the exact right moment. This is how a team tumbling out of control finally regains its footing. Chris Tillman offered up a rare quality start for the Orioles tonight and Seth Smith's home run in the seventh inning broke a tie and sparked a 3-1 victory over the Rangers in the series opener at Camden Yards. No longer winless in the second half, the Orioles improved to 43-49 overall and 26-19 at...

Harvey set to join GCL team on Wednesday (O's lead 3-1)

Harvey set to join GCL team on Wednesday (O's lead 3-1)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed to reporters this afternoon at Camden Yards that former first-round pick Hunter Harvey will pitch Wednesday in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Harvey, 22, is beginning an injury rehab assignment one year after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. He recently threw a two-inning simulated game and convinced the Orioles that he was ready to join an affiliate. "I know they're kind of planning him out through the end of August,...

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers (updated)

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers (updated)
Adam Jones remains the Orioles' leadoff hitter and Seth Smith continues to bat seventh as the Orioles begin a four-game series against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Nothing unusual about the lineup. Jonathan Schoop still is batting third and has returned to second base, and Trey Mancini remains in left field. Left-handers are batting .366/.482/.538 against Chris Tillman this season. According to MLB Statcast, Manny Machado ranks ninth in the majors in average exit velocity at 93.3 mph. For the...

Available Orioles and Tillman's return to the mound

Available Orioles and Tillman's return to the mound
There are varying levels of "sellers" in baseball. The Orioles are in the process of seeking their level. They must get approval from ownership before making any significant deals. In the meantime, they'd definitely be willing to move outfielders Seth Smith and Hyun Soo Kim and catcher Welington Castillo. Those are the smaller pieces that don't get as much media attention. Executive vice president Dan Duquette will listen to offers for closer Zach Britton and setup men Brad Brach and Darren...