Almost at the exact moment that Hunter Harvey walked through the visiting clubhouse doors at Fenway Park, mental wheels began turning about other pitching prospects who could join him. How the collection of promising arms is increasing and creeping closer to the majors. Grow the arms, build the hype. The position players don't create the same excitement, a deficiency that the Orioles worked hard to address in the draft. Remove catcher Adley Rutschman, the first overall pick, and the room grows...

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals are built to win on the broad shoulders of their dominant rotation. Have been for years. That does not mean this team is incapable of winning on the might of a deep and potent lineup, however, one capable on any given night of blasting an opposing pitching staff out of the park. Or, in this case, into the Allegheny River. It happened last week, with three double-digit offensive explosions in four games against the Reds and Brewers. And it continued tonight during a...

The Orioles' 86th loss of 2019 had elements seen often during the first 85 defeats. There was a baserunning adventure with a bad ending, a defensive miscue or two and a couple of homers allowed. This all happened after O's lefty John Means had no-hit Kansas City on 66 pitches through five innings. He would not get an out in the sixth. Kansas City (45-80) had lost four of five and 13 of 17 as this three-game series began tonight to start a seven-game Orioles homestand. But the Royals win it...

The fingerprints are fading from the John Means panic button. Another loss surfaced tonight, but Means seemed to be fine. He just couldn't hold form or catch a break after the fifth inning, which is a distinct pattern with the Oriole in 2019. Means carried a no-hit bid into the sixth, faced six batters and didn't record an out. He threw 28 pitches. A one-run lead disappeared like those fingerprints. The Royals scored three times, with Gabriel Ynoa leaving the bases loaded, and the Orioles...

PITTSBURGH - Ryan Zimmerman has gone on two-game rehab assignments before. This current one won't be nearly so quick. After playing in a pair of games over the weekend for Double-A Harrisburg, Zimmerman is now shifting to Single-A Potomac to continue his rehab from a recurrence of plantar fasciitis in his right foot. And he may be there for a while. Manager Davey Martinez said today he wants the veteran first baseman to not only get his foot healthy but also to get his entire game healthy...

After their first winless road trip of the 2019 season, the Orioles return home tonight to Oriole Park for a seven-game homestand. They'll host Kansas City for three games and the Tampa Bay Rays for four starting Thursday night. The Orioles (39-85) lost 13-7 in Boston on Sunday as the Red Sox completed a three-game sweep. The Orioles were swept for the 11th time this season. The Orioles' trip included stops at New York (0-4) and Boston (0-3). According to STATS, LLC., it marked just the third...

PITTSBURGH - Max Scherzer bounded through the visitors' clubhouse at PNC Park shortly after 3:30 p.m. today, a smile on his face and a bounce in his step not often seen over the last month. And as he walked past reporters he offered up three unsolicited words that revealed more about his current state of body and mind than any lengthy interview could have topped: "See you Thursday." The Nationals ace is ready to return at last. After an aggravating month spent trying to overcome a pair of...

Orioles catcher Chance Sisco is available tonight if the Orioles need him behind the plate or as a pinch-hitter. A doctor cleared Sisco to play and the club was able to avoid a roster move. Sisco is on the bench for the series opener against the Royals at Camden Yards. How comfortable is a separate matter. Sisco was removed from yesterday's game against the Red Sox in the sixth inning after being struck in the groin by a foul ball from Xander Bogaerts. He's been issued a Kevlar protective...

PITTSBURGH - It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood here alongside the Allegheny River, where the Nationals tonight open a four-game series against the floundering Pirates. They've done a very good job this summer of beating up on bad teams. Here's a golden opportunity to feast some more on a Pirates club that is a staggering 7-27 since the All-Star break, worst in the majors. We'll see if the Nats lineup can keep it going after absolutely terrorizing the Brewers pitching staff over the...

Pedro Severino is catching tonight in the series opener against the Royals with Chance Sisco possibly unavailable to the Orioles due to injury. No word on a roster move. I've heard that Austin Wynns is in Baltimore, which likely puts him on the taxi squad. Chris Davis also is out of the lineup. Trey Mancini is playing first base and DJ Stewart is in right. Jace Peterson continues to get starts in left field. Rio Ruiz is playing third base. Left-hander John Means will try to lower his...