After their first scheduled series was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak that swept through the Marlins roster, the Nationals finally will face Miami for the first time in 2020 this weekend, with a rare five-game series on tap that includes the first 14-inning doubleheader in club history. At least, that's the plan as of right now. All systems appeared to be go for tonight's opener at Nationals Park, but then Thursday evening the Marlins' series finale against the Mets was called...

The Orioles' losing streak has reached five games, and they've earned it. They've gone from 12-8 (.600) to 12-13 (.480). They are still winning at a much greater percentage than the team that lost 108 games last year. But during the losing streak, the Orioles have been outscored 33-17. In three of the last four games they have scored two runs or fewer. They've scored three runs in each of the last two games. The same group of players that was carrying the offense can't do it every night....

The Orioles might have thought and hoped that a new series and a clean slate would help them end a losing streak. And they would get a shot to do it against the last-place Boston Red Sox. But nothing went according to such a plan. The Orioles could not hit Boston right-hander Nathan Eovaldi again and their own mistakes again contributed to a loss. Boston beat the Orioles 7-1 to open a four-game series. A four-run ninth broke open what was a close game. The O's fall to 12-13, have now lost five...

The Orioles finally got away from a Blue Jays player who feasts on their pitching like he's breaking a fast. Was it their turn tonight to pick on the opponent? To do it with their starting pitcher? Asher Wojciechowski made three starts against the Red Sox last season and allowed two runs in 17 2/3 innings. He registered a 5.98 ERA in his other 14 appearances. A no-hitter was carried into the seventh inning on July 21 before Rafael Devers stroked a leadoff double. Wojciechowski reached his...

As the latest anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr.'s record-setting night approaches, he spun a popular question usually directed at himself while speaking with a group of local beat writers yesterday on a Zoom conference call. The proverbial shoe placed on the other foot. Does it really seem like it's been 25 years since he surpassed Lou Gehrig for most consecutive games played at 2,131? Since he took that glorious lap around the warning track while bathed in an ovation that lasted more than 22...

The Orioles won't jog onto the field for the start of tonight's game until manager Brandon Hyde holds a meeting that's intended to review some basic fundamentals that were neglected earlier this week. Breakdowns on defense and the bases made it much harder for Hyde to accept the Blue Jays' three-game sweep and his team's tumble to the .500 mark. Play properly and move on to the next opponent. Hyde didn't see it happening against the Jays. One sequence lingered for him, when Renato...

The Orioles (12-12) will look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight when they host Boston (7-18) to open a three-game series at Oriole Park. The O's were swept three in a row by Toronto by scores of 7-2, 8-7 and 5-2. The Red Sox begin play tonight with the worst record in the American League, playing .280 ball a year after going 84-78. Boston beat the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday to snap a nine-game losing streak. It was their longest losing streak since May 2014. During the streak,...

When looking at reasons for the Orioles' improved offense, the production from their catchers has been a key reason in helping the team improve as a whole. Pedro Severino is batting .338 with an OPS of 1.018 and Chance Sisco is batting .270 with an OPS of 1.005. The O's catching trio - including Bryan Holaday - leads the American League in catcher OPS at .945 and that mark ranks third-best in the majors. That is impressive. But while that offense has been very welcome, when someone plays a...

Reliever Chandler Shepherd has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to the alternate camp site in Bowie. The 60-man pool is holding 59 players. The Orioles designated Shepherd for assignment on Sunday to create a roster spot for John Means, who was reinstated from the bereavement list. Shepherd could have declined the assignment and become a free agent based on a previous designation. Hanser Alberto returns to the leadoff spot for tonight's series opener against the Red Sox at Camden...

During early pregame at Nationals Park, Kurt Suzuki and bullpen coach Henry Blanco perform a catching drill in the outfield. Suzuki stands in uniform with his catcher's glove and a baseball in center field, about 50 to 60 yards away from Blanco, who takes his spot on the right field foul line close to Nationals bullpen. Suzuki begins the program by throwing the baseball as hard as he can to Blanco, who catches it and throws it back. After Suzuki throws the first ball, he walks toward Blanco...