Maybe it was the diving catch in deep left-center after a long run from his position in the middle of the outfield. Maybe it was the 270-yard bullseye he hit on the fly from the base of the center field wall to second base to nab a greedy runner. Whatever moment you choose, chances are you've at some point in the last two weeks watched Victor Robles in the field and thought to yourself: He looks like his 2019 version again. It's been hard not to notice it. After a major regression in defense...

If the Nationals are going to survive with Stephen Strasburg on the injured list, Patrick Corbin a mess and Jon Lester still building his arm up at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg, they're going to have to rely on the remaining members of their rotation not only to pitch effectively but to at times exceed expectations. For two starts, that's exactly what they got from Joe Ross, who didn't so much as allow a single Dodgers or Cardinals runner to cross the plate while he was on...

It's no secret the Orioles offense has gotten off to a slow start. You noticed, right? Through Sunday's games they have a team batting average of .221, which is ninth in the American League. They rank last in team OBP (.278), 13th in slugging (.365) and 13th in OPS (.643). They have already scored three runs or fewer eight times and been shut out twice. They are 1-7 in those eight games. When they score four or more, they are 6-2. We've detailed some of the recent pitching success here, but...

Josh Bell, maybe more than just about any big-name hitter in the majors, depends on proper timing at the plate to be successful. The big slugger doesn't have the short, compact swing of an Anthony Rendon. His is a long swing with long arms that, when in sync, produces explosive results but otherwise can produce a lot of whiffs. When the Nationals first baseman departed West Palm Beach, Fla., on March 29, everything was in sync. He enjoyed a monster spring at the plate, hitting .383 (18-for-47)...

Joe Ross has been probably the most positive development for the Nationals so far this young season. The right-hander, who won the fifth starter's job in spring training after opting out of the 2020 campaign, has been outstanding in each of his first two outings and has yet to allow a run in 11 innings. It's everything the Nats could've hoped for and more from the 27-year-old right-hander. Except now they actually need Ross to continue being this guy to help them survive while much of the...

The Orioles return from their first break this week to open a two-game series in Miami, where they've gone 2-13. It was a little complicated last summer. A rash of positive COVID-19 tests on the Marlins forced them to stay in Philadelphia, where they had opened their season. The Orioles remained in their Miami hotel, with no opponent, until flying back home with confirmation of the postponements. After some creative maneuvering in the schedule, the teams played four consecutive games in...

The Nationals' 2021 season is only two weeks old, but boy does it feel like a lot has happened already or what? It's been an eventful 13 days since they took the field to face the Braves after seeing their first four scheduled games of the year postponed due to their COVID-19 outbreak. Prominent players have gone on the injured list, prominent players have come off it. There have been two walk-off wins and there have been two blowout losses. There have been lights-out pitching performances...

So that was a strong weekend of pitching for the Orioles. They allowed four runs in three games at Texas. Yet when they were shut out Sunday, it meant no series sweep against the Rangers. Still, they began the road trip taking two of three and head to Miami at 7-9. For the second time this season, the Orioles staff did not allow an earned run. They also did that in the opening day shutout at Boston. Baltimore pitching has allowed two runs or less six times on the season. They did it the first...

The Orioles toyed with the idea of going with a six-man rotation, settled on the more traditional five and are downsizing to four. It's still April, only 16 games into the season. The roster will undergo plenty of changes and various circumstances are going to force the adjustments, whether due to injuries, postponements or quirky off-days stuffed into one week. Dean Kremer was optioned late Saturday night because he's a fifth starter on a team that isn't playing today or Thursday. Having to...

The Orioles were locked in another pitcher's duel this afternoon. Last night they trailed 1-0 after six innings but won 6-1. It was 0-0 today in Arlington, Texas through six. And through seven. And eight and nine. But the Orioles finally cracked. Nate Lowe's bases loaded single to left won it 1-0 in 10 innings for Texas as the O's failed to sweep and fall to 7-9 for the year. The O's missed a chance in the top of the 10th. With Maikel Franco on third and one out, pinch-hitter Trey Mancini...