Orioles area scout Brandon Verley noted he was in a very strange position on Tuesday at Camden Yards. He's used to sitting in the stands at ballparks for long hours watching players. He is not used to sitting in the O's dugout surrounded by reporters and taking questions. But there he was, talking to us about being named the club's Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award winner. "It's an incredible honor," Verley said. "You know, as a scout, we are never really in this position, in the...

The Orioles would much prefer to be hosting games late in the season that dictate whether they make the playoffs. Somewhere down the rebuild road, it's supposed to happen for them. In the meantime, while the last few games determine whether they pick first or second in next year's draft, they get a chance to see how the other half lives on its home turf. In a raucous environment. They can't catch postseason fever, which certainly would present complications during COVID-19, but they're...

It had been a while since Nationals Park experienced this kind of energy, provided by a crowd of 32,521 filled with fans with varied reasons to get amped up for the opener of the season's final series. Some were excited to see Juan Soto's last charge for a batting title and possible MVP honor. They perhaps took solace in the four walks he drew - the last of them his 144th of the season, something only Barry Bonds had previously done this century - but that's not really what they came to...

The Orioles tried to stay in spoiler mode tonight while going with a bullpen game rather than a starter equipped to provide actual length. Teams wanting the Blue Jays to implode in the weekend series and influence the wild card race could be heard cringing. Their eyes were bulging while checking the late score. Injuries have tampered with the Orioles rotation, which becomes more settled in the last two games with John Means and Bruce Zimmermann. So, manager Brandon Hyde lined up his available...

Juan Soto has three more days to make his case to win National League MVP honors. He already locked up a slightly less significant honor today. Soto was named the Nationals' 2021 Player of the Year, the second straight season the young star won the award given out annually in a vote of media members who regularly cover the team. Soto is joined by Kyle Finnegan (Pitcher of the Year) and Josh Bell (Good Guy Award) in receiving this year's honors, which are being presented prior to the start of...

The Orioles appear to be done with roster moves for 2021 after recalling reliever Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk and optioning left-hander Alexander Wells. Mattson, who joined the team in Baltimore and hopped on the charter flight to Toronto, provides an extra arm in a bullpen game. Manager Brandon Hyde doesn't know how much length he'll get from Thomas Eshelman. "To be able to add a pitcher who's available was important," Hyde said. Dean Kremer and Paul Fry weren't added to the...

Reliever Isaac Mattson has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and heads to the Orioles bullpen as they begin their final series of the year tonight in Toronto. Mattson, acquired from the Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade, has made three appearances with the Orioles and allowed three runs and three hits in three innings, with four walks and three strikeouts. Left-hander Alexander Wells, who held the Red Sox to one run in six innings last night, was optioned to Norfolk. He wasn't going to pitch...

The final weekend and series of the 2021 season has arrived. The Orioles play three games starting tonight at Rogers Centre and the offseason and winter will follow Sunday's Game No. 162. The O's take momentum north of the border after winning two of three from the Boston Red Sox, beating Boston 4-2 Tuesday night and 6-2 last night to wrap up their home season. They held the Red Sox to 10 runs in the series. Boston began the series leading the majors in doubles and extra-base hits, second in...

We have arrived at last at the final homestand of the season. Three more games to wrap up what undeniably has been a season most everyone around here wants to forget. But first, there are three games to play against a team that very much needs to win as many of these as it can. The Red Sox enter play tied with the red-hot Mariners for the second wild card berth in the American League, two games behind the Yankees, one game ahead of the Blue Jays. There are all kinds of scenarios that could play...

The Washington Nationals announced the winners of the sixth-annual end-of-season awards as voted on by members of the local media. Outfielder Juan Soto was voted 2021 Nationals Player of the Year, while right-handed pitcher Kyle Finnegan was named Pitcher of the Year. First Baseman Josh Bell was given the Good Guy Award, given to a player for his always-professional dealings with members of the media, his work in the community and for representing the Nationals organization with class both on...