ALDS notebook: Hardy on intensity, Cruz on crowd, Scherzer on facing the O's and more
ALDS notebook: Hardy on intensity, Cruz on crowd, Scherzer on facing the O's and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles clinched the American League East on Sept. 16 and they played 11 games since with a postseason berth already assured. We saw the Orioles end the season playing with less intensity than they had before the clincher. Now they need to get that back for the AL Division Series that starts at Camden Yards Thursday against Detroit. Will it be hard to get it back? "No, I don't think so," shortstop J.J. Hardy said before today's workout. "Not with the way these fans are going to be....
Showalter debating 10 or 11 pitchers, Gausman to 'pen, Machado with team
Showalter debating 10 or 11 pitchers, Gausman to 'pen, Machado with team
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are working out at Camden Yards this afternoon before opening the Division Series on Thursday against the Tigers. Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson spoke to the team before they headed out to the field. Manager Buck Showalter was late to his media session, but as he said, "I couldn't shorten Brooks up." "I didn't want to miss that," Showalter added. "That's pretty good there. Wish he could have kept going. He may come back. That was pretty cool." Showalter still hasn't...
Manager Brad Ausmus, pitcher Max Scherzer talk about Detroit's postseason experience
Manager Brad Ausmus, pitcher Max Scherzer talk about Detroit's postseason experience
Steve Melewski
Orioles
During separate press conferences this afternoon at Camden Yards, Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus and Game 1 starting pitcher Max Scherzer gave quite different answers when asked about the club's playoff experience. This is the fourth year in a row that Detroit has reached the postseason and the Tigers have won the American League Division Series the last three years by winning Game 5 on the road each time. "For guys that have been through it, the experience is an enormous help," Ausmus...
Orioles announce updated list of "We Won't Stop" rallies
Orioles announce updated list of "We Won't Stop" rallies
Josh Land
Orioles
The Orioles today announced an updated list of their series of "We Won't Stop" rallies to generate excitement for the team's push for the postseason. A "We Won't Stop" street team will travel throughout Baltimore and surrounding areas over the next few week, with several former Orioles players and the Oriole Bird also participating. The "We Won't Stop" team will give away promotional items, and fans will have the chance to win autographed memorabilia. The current list of rally dates...
Opposite dugout: Tigers bring power arms, power bats into ALDS
Opposite dugout: Tigers bring power arms, power bats into ALDS
Josh Land
Orioles
Manager: Brad Ausmus, first year Record: 90-72 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Miguel Cabrera (.313/.371/.524, 52 doubles, 25 HR, 109 RBIs, 101 R); DH Victor Martinez (.335/.409/.565, 33 doubles, 32 HR, 103 RBIs); RHP Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP); LHP David Price (15-12, 3.26 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 5-1, 33 runs scored, 20 runs allowed Pitching probables Game 1, Oct. 2: Max Scherzer vs. Chris Tillman, 5:30 p.m., TBS Game 2, Oct. 3: Justin Verlander vs. TBA, 12...
Who do you want - Pirates or Giants?
Who do you want - Pirates or Giants?
Dan Kolko
Nationals
The postseason is officially under way, and we've now reached October. And if what we're about to see over the next month in any way resembles the drama and excitement we witnessed last night during the American League wild card game, we'll be in good shape. The Royals pulled out a thriller over the A's last night, coming back from a four-run deficit in the late innings to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, and then again coming from behind with two runs in the bottom of the 12th to...
How Orioles hitters match up against Tigers rotation
How Orioles hitters match up against Tigers rotation
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Did you wake up this morning nursing a Ned Yost hangover and appreciating Buck Showalter just a little bit more than usual? One of the biggest challenges for any manager is handling a bullpen. I've seen it done poorly and I've seen Showalter practically master the art. The Royals have a great 'pen and they advanced to the Division Series, but they must be doing it with mirrors, because Yost is a poor reflection of... OK, you get the point. Let the man up. Wait, I've got one more. Yost...
Red October: Prepping for the postseason
Red October: Prepping for the postseason
Josh Land
Nationals
Hey, Nats Nation. Olivia and Bobby here. The NLDS is almost here, and we're taking you along for our journey every step of the way. When the Nationals head to San Francisco, we'll be along for the ride, documenting our trip through tweets, Facebook updates, Instagram, this blog and even on Snapchat! So, click on the links above to get started. We're so excited to show you behind-the-scenes looks at your favorite team and sights of the ballpark! We'll keep adding updates to the top of this...
Rachel Levitin: Ready for another round of October baseball in D.C.
Rachel Levitin: Ready for another round of October baseball in D.C.
Josh Land
Nationals
When I first moved to D.C. in 2005 to start my freshman year at American University, my dad used to joke and say, "Good thing they've got a baseball team just in time for you to start. They must've known you were coming." This was funny unto himself, to me, and my family since I grew up and went to grade school within walking distance of Wrigley Field. It's because of that particular upbringing that I developed a love for the game of baseball. The sport's storied history was and still...
Nationals catchers stingy on stolen bases (LaRoche award finalist)
Nationals catchers stingy on stolen bases (LaRoche award finalist)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
While watching the miraculous Royals comeback Tuesday and thrilling(!) 9-8 12-inning dispatch of the A's, I marveled at the speed and running ability of the home team. Kansas City stole seven bases in the game. During each comeback attempt, the Royals took an extra base on steals and wild pitches. Instead of relying on base hit after base hit, the Royals needed just a couple per inning to score runs. The Nationals were sixth in the National League in stolen bases with 101. The Dodgers (138)...