Hello MASNsports.com readers, and welcome to my first post on this fine Web site. My name is Stacey Long and I am the editor-in-chief at CamdenChat.com. Since 2005, Camden Chat has provided daily coverage of the Baltimore Orioles that is, in my (admittedly biased) opinion, the best you'll find on the Internet. Our writers are always intelligent, often hilarious and occasionally grumpy. With statistical analysis, thoughtful commentary and an occasional inspired haiku, Camden Chat covers the...
Judging solely by the number of people clamoring to have their photo taken with Mr. Boh on opening day, I'd say the return of National Bohemian - Natty Boh for short - to Camden Yards for the first time since 1992 is a toast-worthy occasion. So hoist your frosty, cold mug o' brew (and, for a moment, conveniently ignore that the beer once brewed on the shores of the Chesapeake, well, isn't any longer) and enjoy this 1960s television ad for what was once the official frothy libation of the...
The online community for the Baltimore Orioles is a passionate and relatively tight-knit bunch. We comment on each other's blogs, we follow each other on Twitter and we never stop talking about the O's. Because of this it can be hard to have the proper perspective on the team's fan base as a whole.
There are, of course, a lot of things to be excited about as an O's fan: The offseason acquisitions changed the look of the lineup, the young players are a valid reason for hope and we have our...
Of all the offseason acquisitions made by the Orioles, the one I found most exciting was the trade for shortstop J.J. Hardy. I thought he'd be a good fit for the Orioles back when he played for the Brewers, so picking him up from the Twins for the bargain price of two minor league relievers was, in my opinion, a fantastic move. The only thing that could make the deal better is if Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail takes the next step and extends Hardy before he has the...
In last night's loss to the Detroit Tigers, Josh Rupe pitched in relief and had what appeared to be a subpar outing. While he did give up two runs in three innings, Rupe actually saved the bullpen from what could have been a very taxing evening and subsequently a rough weekend.
With starter Brad Bergesen unable to make it out of the fourth inning, the Orioles' bullpen was called on to pitch 5 1/3 innings in relief, not an easy task. With another game against the Tigers today and a weekend...
Did you know that the Orioles, not counting this year, have started the season 5-1 10 times (11 if you count the 1889 Orioles; I don't)? It seems like it's been forever since they started off a season this well, right?
Wrong.
The 2008 Orioles also started the season 5-1. They ended the season 68-93. They also started 5-1 in 2000 and ended with 74 wins, and in 1998 when they ended with 79 wins. In 1987 they started 5-1 and ended up with just 67 wins. Ouch.
They also started 5-1 in 1966,...
The Orioles begin their season series with the Yankees on Tuesday. The last time the teams met, the O's posted an improbable 4-3 victory in 11 innings at Camden Yards. Luke Scott homered off Mariano Rivera in the ninth, and the Birds used good fortune - and even better managing - to escape unscathed in the 11th inning after the Yankees put a runner on third with nobody out. It was a thrilling game, made more special for me by the fact that I was there with my dad and my wife. Dad and I still...
Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Chris Tillman is the likely starter for Tuesday night's series opener against the Yankees. Jake Arrieta will start Thursday over left-hander Zach Britton, who will take the ball Friday in Cleveland.
Showalter wants to give Britton an extra day to rest after his extended Game 1 start yesterday.
The Orioles are still listing Wednesday's starter as TBA. Chris Jakubauskas is one possibility if they stay in-house, but they also could call up a pitcher while...
Brad Bergesen could be recalled to start one of the games in New York while shortstop J.J. Hardy goes on the disabled list.
Bergesen wouldn't have to stay in the minors for the minimum 10 days if he's replacing an injured player.
Chris Tillman will start Tuesday or Wednesday in New York. Bergesen could take the other turn.
We definitely know that Jeremy Guthrie is starting today. The rest will be sorted out later.
Manager Buck Showalter must decide between Zach Britton or Jake Arrieta for...
Jeremy Guthrie has allowed one hit and walked a batter in three innings in his first start since April 1. His fastball is clocked at 91-92 mph.
Adrian Beltre reached on Mark Reynolds' throwing error leading off the second. Ian Kinsler lined a single to center with two outs in the third and Michael Young walked on four pitches.
Josh Hamilton followed with a long drive to right, but Nick Markakis made a nice grab against the fence to end the rally. Markakis didn't budge for a few seconds...
The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Chris Jakubauskas and added him to the 40-man roster. To make room for Jakubauskas on the 25-man roster, they have optioned right-hander Brad Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk.
Jakubauskas appeared in five games for the Orioles in spring training, allowing no runs and four hits in 6.1 innings of work. In 36 career games over two major league seasons with the Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates, Jakubauskas is 6-8...
The Yankees need inconsistent pitcher A.J. Burnett to be consistent, and so far, thanks to an improved changeup, Burnett has won his first two starts. Also, catcher Russell Martin has made a good impression.
No need to worry about the slow starts of Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee, or his Nationals counterpart, Adam LaRoche. Each is making good contact. Lee, hitting. 182 after being out a good chunk of March, is in late-spring training mode. LaRoche, who hit a game-winning home run Thursday,...
Jake Fox is getting another start today, but it's in left field against Rangers left-hander Derek Holland.
For the Orioles:
Brian Roberts 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Derrek Lee 1B
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Mark Reynolds 3B
Adam Jones CF
Jake Fox LF
Matt Wieters C
Robert Andino SS
Jeremy Guthrie RHP
Here's the Rangers lineup:
Ian Kinsler 2B
Michael Young DH
Josh Hamilton LF
Adrian Beltre 3B
Nelson Cruz RF
Mitch Moreland 1B
Yorvit Torrealba C
Andres Blanco SS
Julio Borbon CF
Derek Holland LHP
Unless something changes abruptly, the Orioles won't make a roster move today. They're inclined to wait until tomorrow's off-day to place shortstop J.J. Hardy on the disabled list.
Hardy is scheduled to undergo an MRI tomorrow after being diagnosed last night with a strained left oblique, an injury that routinely leads a player to the DL.
The Orioles must decide on a corresponding roster move. It could involve a pitcher or backup catcher Craig Tatum.
One reason why the Orioles don't...
Manny Ramirez is one of the best right-handed hitters in history, but that's not how he's going to be remembered.
Manny should be putting the finishing touches on a Hall of Fame career, but he's never going to have a plaque in Cooperstown.
Ramirez has retired from the Rays after it was reported that Major League Baseball was suspending him for 100 games for violating the sport's drug policy. Ramirez has already served a 50-game suspension with the Dodgers for using steroids.
Manny has a...
Jake Arrieta is charged with eight runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings, with two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 77 pitches, 50 for strikes.
Arrieta's ERA jumps to 8.68.
J.J. Hardy left the game after two innings with a strained left oblique muscle, an injury that usually leads to a stay on the disabled list.
So much for that feel-good vibe from Game 1.
Brian Roberts needed some assistance from assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel after apparently getting some dirt in his eye, but he...
Brian Roberts is back in today's lineup for Game One after being sent to the hospital last night with stomach pains.
For the Orioles:
Brian Roberts 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Derrek Lee 1B
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Luke Scott LF
Adam Jones CF
Mark Reynolds 3B
Matt Wieters C
Cesar Izturis SS
Zach Britton LHP
The rain is coming down harder, and tonight's game has been postponed.
So much for that window.
Better close it so you don't get wet.
The Orioles and Rangers will play a straight doubleheader tomorrow, with the first game starting at 4:30 p.m. Zach Britton will pitch in one of the games.
I'm heading to manager Buck Showalter's office for more details. It seems almost certain that the Orioles will make a roster move to add a reliever.
Update: Britton and Jake Arrieta will pitch...
Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium will host another in MASNsports.com's series of Orioles baseball chats Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. in conjunction with that evening's O's-Yankees game in the Bronx.
Join Steve Melewski and myself for an hour of dugout chatter before the game, then stick around for O's-Yankees action on the many televisions at Hightopps. Some special unannounced guests may join us, and there will be plenty of time for fans' questions and some trivia...
Here is an update on the Texas Rangers, the majors' only unbeaten team at 6-0, as they come to Camden Yards this weekend.
The defending American League champions, Texas has outscored Boston and Seattle 42-20 during its six wins. The Rangers have won their first two series for the first time since 1996.
If they win the series opener in Baltimore, they will tie their club record for best-ever start at 7-0 set by the 1996 team.
Best-ever Texas Rangers starts:
1996: 7-0
1979 & 2011: 6-0
1977 &...