As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate small ball, the art of the opposite-field single, the sacrifice bunt, hitting behind the runner, the cat-and-mouse between a speedster taking a lead and the pitcher trying to make sure he stays put. But one cannot deny the thrill of seeing a muscular dude launching a fastball that gets too much of the plate. Though you'll also see some of the former in this week's "Orioles Classics," the latter takes center stage. In the principal roles of big...

With the new year here and spring training hopefully right around the corner, we're ramping up this week's "Nationals Classics" on MASN to examine some of the strongest performances ever by guys with a curly W on their caps. When talking about the club's great pitchers, Stephen Strasburg is always mentioned - and with good reason. Two of his finest performances - a sparking debut and a playoff clincher - are among this week's broadcasts. Ditto for Ryan Zimmerman, the Nats' first draft...

The Washington Nationals announced today a multi-year, exclusive partnership with BetMGM, a leading sports betting and digital gaming company. Key details of the partnership include the opening of a BetMGM Sportsbook connected to Nationals Park and the launch of a mobile app within the permitted area around the Park, as well as fan-focused campaigns and co-branding opportunities. "The Nationals are thrilled to expand our strong partnership with MGM Resorts into the sports betting realm," said...

The Nationals lineup, as currently constructed this morning, features three guys who hit at least 34 homers and drove in at least 92 runs during the last full major league season. It also includes another guy who hit 22 homers and drove in 86 runs that season, plus one who totaled 63 extra-base hits and yet another who totaled 53. That sounds like a pretty potent and deep lineup, does it not? It does. And yet it still feels like this group is lacking one more significant piece. And that's the...

No doubt left-hander John Means is the Orioles' top starting pitcher and likely opening day starter for 2021. But is he an ace pitcher? Not quite yet, but he sure showed signs of it in his last four 2020 starts. If Means can become the Orioles' first bonafide ace since Mike Mussina, he will truly beat the odds. Unlike Mussina, he was not a first-round draft pick or hyped prospect. He was drafted in round 11, the 331st player taken in the 2011 draft. He was never ranked as a top 30 prospect by...

The three-day minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex has reached its halfway point this morning. Five outfielders working with three instructors in Sarasota temperatures reaching the low 70s. The high fives will be kept to a minimum for social distancing purposes. The outfielders are in varying stages of their careers. Three of them have reached the majors. One remains a rookie in 2021 who is playing his fourth position. One is a former first-round draft pick. One is an infielder who...

When the Orioles made the decision to remove José Flores as third base coach and infield instructor, they didn't rush through the process of finding his replacement. They didn't react as though they were on the clock. There was a slow build to the composition of the final list of candidates, with the Orioles more interested in making an outside hire rather than shifting one of their coaches into a new role and further reducing the staff. They replaced pitching coach Doug Brocail with Chris...

New Nationals left fielder Kyle Schwarber is not the first player to admit that the abbreviated 60-game 2020 regular season was abnormal and that his numbers at the plate are not a reflection of what to expect from the power hitter. In 2019, Schwarber played in 155 games and hit .250 with a career-high .531 slugging percentage, 38 homers and 92 RBIs. In three seasons from 2017 to 2019, Schwarber smacked 94 homers and 212 RBIs. But in 59 games in 2020, Schwarber hit just .188 with 11 homers and...

Trying to predict moves in an unpredictable world is advised only if you're not putting down money. And I'm really talking about the baseball offseason. I get my share right. I also get some wrong. And sometimes I'm just a little surprised. I thought the Orioles would have no interest in bringing back Jonathan Villar, simply choosing to move on from a player they traded in December 2019, but they've spoken to his agent. A reunion remains a possibility. Villar obviously could play shortstop...

Today we're taking a look back at some recent articles you read here on MASNsports.com to check on some important topics and get more of your thoughts on them. The new coach: The Orioles made their eight-man coaching staff official this week. Their latest hire is Tony Masolino, 38, who comes to the club from the Cleveland Indians. I had wondered if the O's would consider hiring from within for this position, but Mansolino joins the club from the Indians. He will coach third base and work as...