The season is not yet one-quarter complete, and there’s far too much time left to know exactly how this is going to play out. But if you’re looking for consistent themes out of the 2024 Nationals, you might be best-served remembering the term Davey Martinez used to describe his team one week ago after it pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in c

CINCINNATI – After pitching-led 3-0 and 2-1 wins over the Cincinnati Reds this weekend, the Orioles can sweep this series today with a victory at Great American Ball Park. The O’s took a 2-0 lead to the ninth last night and hung on for a 2-1 win. They improved to 22-11 and have won three in a row, five of six, 10 of 14 and 14 of the last 19 games.

CINCINNATI – Orioles pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, on the 15-day injured list since May 1 - retroactive to April 30 - with right shoulder inflammation, started a throwing program today off flat ground at Great American Ball Park. He made throws from 60 to 75 feet. Orioles pitching coach Drew French, in a pregame interview with reporters, said Rodrigue

The Orioles are trying for the sweep this afternoon in Cincinnati and Dean Kremer is hoping to keep the pitching staff on its roll. The team ERA is 1.17 in the last six games and 2.23 in 13. John Means notched the rotation’s seventh scoreless start last night. The Reds have scored one run in the first two games of the series, and it came against Cr

To the eye, the Nationals have played better defense this season, whether in the form of above-average plays in the infield, strong throws from the outfield or improved work behind the plate. The metrics don’t quite see as much improvement yet. The Nats enter today with minus-14 Defensive Runs Saved, which ranks 26th out of 30 major league clubs, a

The Nationals didn’t get over the .500 hump Saturday, but they still have a shot at another series win this afternoon. (Weather permitting, of course, because the forecast again calls for on-and-off rain pretty much all day.) It’ll be MacKenzie Gore on the mound, seeking his first win since April 13 despite the fact he’s pitched quite well. The lef

CINCINNATI – As the Orioles watched left-hander John Means roll through seven scoreless last night, getting more swings and misses than he had since his 2021 no-hitter, they had to be excited and elated. Here it was just May 4 and now both Kyle Bradish and Means are back. The team is 22-11 and in first place. A staff that was already pitching well

The Orioles wrap up their series against the Reds this afternoon, going for the sweep, and I’m unwrapping three more questions that hang in the air. At least where I’m breathing. The good news is there’s a definite answer to the first one. What the heck happened to Terrin Vavra? Vavra posted photos recently on his Instagram account with a caption a

CINCINNATI – It was April 17th in Jacksonville, Florida, and one-time O’s ace John Means was pitching in his fourth injury rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk. He didn’t get out of the first inning, threw just 34 pitches and gave up five runs and two homers. But things were very different tonight. Very different. Means, who had his best rehab game las

When Jake Irvin last took the mound on Monday, the Nationals ended the day with a .500 record for the first time this late in the season since they were 40-40 entering July 2, 2021. Since then, they have had three chances to get above .500 for the first time since July 1, 2021, including today after last night’s comeback win over the Blue Jays. So