Would Astros reaching World Series punch Baker's ticket to Cooperstown?

Would Astros reaching World Series punch Baker's ticket to Cooperstown?
The Astros beat the Athletics 11-6 on Thursday in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, punching their ticket to a fourth consecutive AL Championship Series. And it brings Dusty Baker a step closer to a championship he has been eyeing for more than two decades as a manager. Baker has 1,862 career victories, 15th on the all-time list. He has been named Manager of the Year three times and won seven division titles. But the 70-year-old is searching for his first World Series title, the...
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Bullpens could decide Yankees-Rays clash in ALDS

Bullpens could decide Yankees-Rays clash in ALDS
The Tampa Bay Rays, who last won the American League East in 2010, beat the New York Yankees in eight of 10 games during the regular season. Can they do it again and get a chance to win their first AL pennant since losing to the Phillies in the 2008 World Series? The best-of-five Yankees-Rays AL Division Series will be played with no days off starting today in San Diego's Petco Park, one of the bubbles established by Major League Baseball for the postseason. The Rays and Yankees have tension,...
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"Orioles Classics" rewind: How about some playoff action?

"Orioles Classics" rewind: How about some playoff action?
With apologies to a long-ago tirade by former NFL coach Jim Mora, we're talking playoffs this week. Yes, playoffs. As in the American League Division Series, which in 1997 pitted the Orioles against the Mariners in a coast-to-coast clash. On this week's "Orioles Classics" on MASN, you can relive the entire four-game series with midday broadcasts of the O's conquest of the wild card Mariners. It was a wild series full of twists and turns, marquee pitching matchups and unexpected power. If...
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"Orioles Classics" rewind: 1996 ALDS and walking off the Red Sox

"Orioles Classics" rewind: 1996 ALDS and walking off the Red Sox
The Winter Meetings are finally here, with here being just a short trip down the road from Baltimore to National Harbor! Make sure you're keeping up with the latest Orioles news and happenings right here on MASNsports.com. Meanwhile, if you want to watch actual baseball games, MASN is airing a memorable Orioles playoff series throughout the week and topping it off with an walk-off win over the Red Sox. What more could O's fans ask for? Here's the Winter Meetings week schedule of "Orioles...
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Weighing the American League Division Series contenders

Weighing the American League Division Series contenders
The Kansas City Royals will begin the defense of their American League pennant when they play the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series. Whoever wins takes on the Texas Rangers or Toronto Blue Jays for the right to play in the World Series. OK, but did you know ... ? * The Astros and Royals came close to playing in the 1980 World Series, back when the Astros were in the National League. The Astros' home ballpark was the Astrodome and they lost the National League Championship...
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MASN to re-air Game 2 of ALDS on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. (updated with Game 3 rebroadcast Thursday at 6:30 p.m.)

MASN to re-air Game 2 of ALDS on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. (updated with Game 3 rebroadcast Thursday at 6:30 p.m.)
The throw from Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy had barely nestled into first baseman Steve Pearce's mitt to end Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Friday when fans were already clamoring for MASN to re-air the thrilling game as an "Orioles Classic." Well, we heard the requests on Facebook and Twitter, and you'll now get your wish. What better way to prepare for Friday's opening game of the American League Championship Series against the Royals than to relive Game 2 of the ALDS,...
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Showalter on Camden Yards homecoming: "It doesn't surprise me with our fans"

Showalter on Camden Yards homecoming: "It doesn't surprise me with our fans"
They came ready to cheer. They came wearing orange. They came waving orange towels and they came to welcome their Orioles home a day after they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a three-game sweep of the American League Division Series. Several hundred fans lined the walkway to home plate plaza at Camden Yards today as the Orioles arrived home from Detroit. Orioles vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette high-fived fans after getting off the team bus and several players did as...
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Leftovers for breakfast (O's to arrive at Camden Yards at 3:30 p.m.)

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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Begin the ALCS countdown: O's-Royals starts Friday

Begin the ALCS countdown: O's-Royals starts Friday
So now we get ready for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. The Orioles will host the Kansas City Royals in the first two games on Friday and Saturday at Camden Yards. Both teams completed three-game sweeps yesterday against teams with bigger payrolls and bigger names. But Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout and their teams are done now. During the regular season, the Royals took four of seven from the Orioles, outscoring them 26-18. But these teams have not met since May 18. Kansas...
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Showalter on first ALCS: "It's not going to drive my life" (O's-K.C. in ALCS)

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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On to the ALCS: Norris with a gem, Cruz with a homer as O's sweep Detroit

On to the ALCS: Norris with a gem, Cruz with a homer as O's sweep Detroit
In his first career postseason start, Orioles right-hander Bud Norris was sensational. He matched 2012 Cy Young Award winner David Price pitch for pitch and his offense finally got him the lead. Norris pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer as the Orioles beat Detroit 2-1 to complete a three-game sweep of their American League Division Series. The win sends the Orioles to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 1997. They await the winner of the...
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Cruz homer gives Orioles lead (Orioles sweep Tigers, headed to ALCS)

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

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

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

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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O's game blog: Bud Norris on the mound as O's go for a sweep

O's game blog: Bud Norris on the mound as O's go for a sweep
With a win this afternoon, the Orioles will advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 1997 when they played the Cleveland Indians. The Orioles hold a 2-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Division Series and need one win to advance. A win today at Comerica Park would give them their first postseason series sweep since a 3-0 win over the Oakland A's in the 1971 ALCS. But the Tigers have rallied in the ALDS before - in fact, just last year when they...
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Orioles lineup vs. Tigers in Game 3

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers in Game 3
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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Operation October: ALDS Game 3

Operation October: ALDS Game 3
*We'll be updating this entry all day, so keep scrolling and check back often! 12:30 p.m. - Settling in at Comerica Park DETROIT - It's chilly here in Detroit, but it finally feels like October baseball. We've just arrived to the ballpark to kick things off for Game 3 at Comerica Park this afternoon. The Orioles hold a two-game lead in the Division Series. With a win today, the Orioles will move on to the American League Championship Series. Needless to say, there's a lot of excitement...
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Tigers lineup vs. Orioles in Game 3

Tigers lineup vs. Orioles in Game 3
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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O's are only team with 96-plus wins with a playoff victory, plus other notes

O's are only team with 96-plus wins with a playoff victory, plus other notes
If Orioles fans didn't already greatly appreciate and enjoy the strong position their team is in the series with Detroit, just looked around a bit. * Los Angeles Angels, 98 wins, down 0-2. * Washington Nationals, 96 wins, down. 0-2. * Baltimore Orioles, 96 wins, up 2-0. The two No. 1 seeds are both a loss from elimination while the Orioles have a chance for a three-game sweep this afternoon at Detroit. Unless you want to count the 2012 wild card game as a one-game sweep, the last time the...
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