We've got a pretty cool pitching matchup here in tonight's series opener between the Nationals and Giants. It's Stephen Strasburg versus Dereck Rodríguez, son of Iván, who of course was behind the plate for Strasburg's major league debut nine years ago. Yep, it's OK to start feeling old after reading that tidbit. After a great rookie season, Rodríguez has pitched OK through his first three starts this year. But the way things are going, the Giants don't need great work out of...

The Orioles invite fans to enjoy Game of Thrones® Night at Oriole Park on Tuesday, May 21, as they take on the New York Yankees at 7:05 p.m. ET. A limited number of ticket packages are available, featuring an exclusive pregame party in the bullpen picnic area located in center field from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., a game ticket in the left field lower box, a limited-edition Oriole Bird Game of Thrones bobblehead, and the opportunity to take a photo on the Iron Throne. The pregame party menu...

Yes the Red Sox have some rotation issues and some injury issues. But they won 108 games and the World Series last year while the Orioles lost 115 games. And the Orioles went 3-16 against Boston last season. So for them to split a four-game series at Fenway Park is, at the very least, surprising and not bad for this team. There were some things to like about the last four days. The rotation was solid: The Orioles' four starters in the series - David Hess, Andrew Cashner, John Means and Dan...

The latest road trip for the Orioles removes them from the cold and dampness in Boston and transports them to climate-controlled Tropicana Field, where it's always 72 degrees and usually an adventure. The Rays are the darlings of the American League East, a low-budget team holding the highest spot in the standings. They're the only division club above .500. But right behind them are the 7-10 Orioles, winners of two road series this year to leave them one short of the 2018 total. It's nice to...

You know what the dominant storyline of the Nationals' season has been to date. It's been the overriding narrative in nearly all of their 14 games so far. Which sometimes pushes other players and facets of this team out of the spotlight, through no fault of their own. So as a new week begins and the Nationals prepare to host the Giants for three games, let's talk about some players and some performances without resorting to using the "B word" ... * Though individually they haven't all hit...

BOSTON - The Red Sox put a catcher at second base today. Their starting pitcher worked an inning in relief two days ago. Their Gold Glove center fielder has the flu. Their left fielder fouled a ball off his foot yesterday and couldn't play. If the Orioles had a game screaming for them to win, this was it. They still had to go out and earn it. And without their manager for the last four innings. Dan Straily allowed only one run over five innings, Dwight Smith Jr. had a two-run homer and two-run...

BOSTON - Alex Cobb is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field and could come off the injured list to make Friday night's start against the Twins at Camden Yards. Cobb played catch over the weekend without any issues related to his lumbar strain. He's eligible to return from the IL on Tuesday but the Orioles are pushing him back to reduce the chances of a setback. They aren't going to rush Cobb or anyone else, and especially in the middle of April. Nate...

BOSTON - The Orioles conclude their four-game series in rainy Boston this morning with Dwight Smith Jr. back in the lineup in left field after being a late scratch yesterday due to a sore right leg. Chris Davis is playing first base and Cedric Mullins is batting ninth as the center fielder. Jonathan Villar leads off again today. Jesús Sucre is catching Dan Straily. For the Orioles Jonathan Villar 2B Trey Mancini RF Dwight Smith Jr. LF Rio Ruiz 3B Renato Núñez DH Chris Davis 1B ...

After allowing three runs in the first three innings Sunday, right-hander Max Scherzer prevented the Pirates from scoring again under his watch. Pittsburgh went five innings without scoring another run because Scherzer switched up his sequencing, focusing more on employing his curveball, thanks to suggestions from pitching coach Derek Lilliquist and catcher Yan Gomes. "I think it was more when I kind of sat there with Yan and Lilly and thought we just needed to start throwing more...

New Orioles right-hander Dan Straily, signed by the team on April 5, has certainly struggled in his first two appearances with the team. He is 0-1 with a 19.29 ERA after allowing 10 runs over 4 2/3 innings. In his first Baltimore appearance, he gave up five runs in 1 1/3 in relief versus the Yankees. Then in a start last Wednesday versus Oakland, he allowed five runs and eight hits over 3 1/3 innings. Opponent batters have produced a slash line against him of .500/.536/1.077, going 13-for-26,...