Opposite dugout: Disappointing season nearing an end for Pirates

Opposite dugout: Disappointing season nearing an end for Pirates
Manager: Clint Hurdle (7th season) Record: 71-85 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (.273/.358/.470 with 26 HR, 79 RBIs), 1B Josh Bell (24 HR, 83 RBIs), RHP Chad Kuhl (7-11, 4.31 ERA), LHP Felipe Rivero (1.72 ERA, 19 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 0-2 Pitching probables: Sept. 26: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Trevor Williams, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 27: RHP Gabriel Ynoa vs. RHP Chad Kuhl, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Inside the Pirates: Like the Orioles, the Pirates are nearing the end of...
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Andrew Stetka: Hardy left an impression on Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Hardy left an impression on Orioles
In my consumption of Orioles news and commentary over the last week, I heard something that caught me off-guard. The Orioles Hall of Fame conversation came up and it surrounded shortstop J.J. Hardy. My immediate reaction was puzzled. Why would Hardy be a shoe-in for the team's Hall of Fame? He's never even been the best player on his own team, let alone a standout during his tenure in Baltimore. After a moment of thinking about it, I realized that none of that mattered. That's not what the...
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Zach Wilt: What the Orioles can learn from this year's postseason clubs

Zach Wilt: What the Orioles can learn from this year's postseason clubs
September can be challenging if your team isn't one of the 10 still playing postseason baseball. With eight games remaining, the Orioles are five games back of a playoff spot and would have five teams to hurdle over to get there. They haven't been mathematically eliminated yet, but it's not looking good. In recent years, this part of the season has been exciting around Charm City. Lately, my Facebook memories have been filled with pictures of the O's winning the American League East or...
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Opposite dugout: Third place, .500 mark are Rays' late goals

Opposite dugout: Third place, .500 mark are Rays' late goals
Manager: Kevin Cash (2nd year) Record: 74-78 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: LF Corey Dickerson (.277 with 26 HR, 60 RBIs), 3B Evan Longoria (18 HR, 83 RBIs), 1B Logan Morrison (36 HR, 82 RBIs), RF Steven Souza Jr. (30 HR, 78 RBIs), RHP Alex Cobb (11-10, 3.63 ERA), RHP Chris Archer (9-11, 4.02 ERA), RHP Alex Colomé (45 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 6-6 Pitching probables: Sept. 21: RHP Matt Andriese vs. RHP Gabriel Ynoa, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 22: RHP Alex Cobb vs. RHP: Ubaldo...
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Dillon Atkinson: Who could return to next year's starting rotation?

Dillon Atkinson: Who could return to next year's starting rotation?
As the 2017 season is winding down, what looked to be a fun race for the postseason is now a disappointing finish that came up short. This team has flaws. The offense is inconsistent, at times the defense is shaky and the bullpen, while being good overall, has let us down here and there. But you know exactly what I left out because it's the most obvious: the Orioles need better starting pitching. I know I don't even need to bring up any league-wide statistics to prove my point here. It's...
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Andrew Stetka: O's gave it a run, but never had horses for postseason

Andrew Stetka: O's gave it a run, but never had horses for postseason
For all intents and purposes, the 2017 Orioles season is over. We're probably a week or two late on declaring this. Some would say we are a month or two late. Sure, there are still games left on the schedule and baseball will be played over the final few weeks, but the Orioles as a team for this year are done. They were "done" multiple times since early July, when fans and media alike started to proclaim that it wasn't in the cards. This time, they finally are done. And if by some miracle,...
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Opposite dugout: These Red Sox can run

Opposite dugout: These Red Sox can run
Manager: John Farrell (5th season) Record: 85-64 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Mookie Betts (90 RBIs, 43 doubles, 24 steals), LF Andrew Benintendi (85 RBIs, 19 steals), C Christian Vázquez (.298), 3B Rafael Devers (.826 OPS), RHP Craig Kimbrel (33 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 6-10 Pitching probables: Sept. 18: RHP Doug Fister vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 19: LHP Drew Pomeranz vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 20: LHP Chris Sale vs. LHP Wade Miley, 7:05...
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Zach Wilt: A look at the Orioles' home and road splits

Zach Wilt: A look at the Orioles' home and road splits
It's almost time to put the 2017 major league regular season to rest. How does summer always go by so fast? Our Baltimore Orioles have just 15 games remaining and are sitting three games below .500 at 72-75 and 5 1/2 games back of a wild card spot. The O's have seen it all over the last six months. They dominated April with a 15-8 record and held on to first place in the American League East until May 20. They had losing months in May, June and July, then rejuvenated their playoff hopes by...
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Opposite dugout: Division crown still within Yankees' grasp

Opposite dugout: Division crown still within Yankees' grasp
Manager: Joe Girardi (10th season) Record: 79-66 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Aaron Judge (.273 with 41 HR, 90 RBIs), SS Didi Gregorius (.290 with 73 RBIs, 138 hits), LF Brett Gardner (.260 with 20 HR, 141 hits), LHP CC Sabathia (11-5, 3.85 ERA), LHP Aroldis Chapman (4-3, 18 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 9-6 Pitching probables: Sep. 14: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Masahiro Tanaka, 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 15: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Luis Severino, 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 16: RHP Ubaldo...
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Dillon Atkinson: With 17 games left, it's time to look to the future

Dillon Atkinson: With 17 games left, it's time to look to the future
After losing their sixth consecutive game on Tuesday night, the Orioles are currently 71-74, in fourth place in the American League East and 4 1/2 games out of a wild card spot. If a 4 1/2-game deficit wasn't already enough to battle, it's worth noting the Orioles have six teams that they would have to hop over to get into the postseason. Playoff hopes are diminishing more and more each day. As we look ahead to the last 17 games of the 2017 season, it's time to start wondering when the...
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Andrew Stetka: A nod to ESPN, and national coverage for O's

Andrew Stetka: A nod to ESPN, and national coverage for O's
Many Orioles fans groan whenever the team plays a game on national television. It happens sparingly, but when the Birds get placed on a Saturday afternoon FOX telecast or ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" as they were this weekend, the performance isn't usually up to par. There's something about the bright lights of the national stage that seems to make the O's shrivel. This is, of course, just coincidence. There's not actually anything about the team's performance or lack thereof on...
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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays turn to offseason as disappointing season winds down

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays turn to offseason as disappointing season winds down
Manager: John Gibbons (10th season) Record: 66-77 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Justin Smoak (.278/.358/.550 with 37 HR, 85 RBIs), 3B Josh Donaldson (.254/.378/.519 with 25 HR, 64 RBIs), DH Kendrys Morales (27 HR, 78 RBIs), RHP Marcus Stroman (11-7, 3.18 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (3.66 ERA, 35 saves, 0.93 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: 5-11 Pitching probables: Sept. 11: RHP Ubaldo Jiménez vs. RHP Marco Estrada, 7:07 p.m., MASN Sept. 12: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. RHP Joe Biagini, 7:07 p.m.,...
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Zach Wilt: Debating the Orioles' MVP

Zach Wilt: Debating the Orioles' MVP
Since Aug. 1, the Orioles are 20-15 and have outscored their opponents by 38 runs. This turnaround was not forecasted by many, as the Birds were a season-high seven games under .500 on July 16 and had slipped to 4 1/2 games back of a wild card at the end of the month. Their August turnaround came at the perfect time and would not have been possible without an incredible breakout performance by Manny Machado. Up to that point, it had been a hard-luck season for Machado. Entering July, Machado...
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Opposite dugout: Power bats and strong arms carrying torrid Tribe

Opposite dugout: Power bats and strong arms carrying torrid Tribe
Manager: Terry Francona (5th season) Record: 84-56 Last 10 games: 10-0 Who to watch: 2B José Ramírez (.309 with 25 HR, 69 RBIs), SS Francisco Lindor (27 HR, 71 RBIs), RF Jay Bruce (.278 4 HR, 14 RBIs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (33 HR, 85 RBIs), RHP Trevor Bauer (15-8, 4.39 ERA), RHP Cody Allen (2.70 ERA, 24 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 3-1 Pitching probables: Sept. 8: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Mike Clevinger, 7:10 p.m., MASN Sept. 9: RHP Gabriel Ynoa vs. RHP Josh Tomlin, 1:05 p.m., FOX...
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Opposite dugout: Yanks hold wild card, could vie for East title

Opposite dugout: Yanks hold wild card, could vie for East title
Manager: Joe Girardi (10th season) Record: 73-63 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B Starlin Castro (.309), RF Aaron Judge (38 HR, 85 RBIs), C Gary Sánchez (79 RBIs, 28 HR), LF Brett Gardner (18 steals, 20 HR), SS Didi Gregorius (.290, 62 RBIs), RHP Dellin Betances (10 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 7-5 Pitching probables: Sept. 4: LHP Jordan Montgomery vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 2:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 5: LHP CC Sabathia vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 6: RHP Sonny Gray vs. RHP...
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Zach Wilt: Welcome to September baseball

Zach Wilt: Welcome to September baseball
Welcome to baseball season in September. Our Orioles had their season-high seven-game winning streak snapped last night and are currently sitting three games above .500. They wrapped up August as one of the hottest teams in baseball after having won three consecutive series, clicking on all cylinders. The playoff race is officially on, but where did this sudden surge come from? From June 11-Aug. 28, the the Orioles were unable to get over that pesky .500 threshold. They played 70 games of...
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Opposite dugout: Last-place finish on the horizon for Blue Jays

Opposite dugout: Last-place finish on the horizon for Blue Jays
Manager: John Gibbons (10th season) Record: 61-72 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 1B Justin Smoak (.287 with 36 HR, 84 RBIs); 3B Josh Donaldson (.255 with 23 HR, 58 RBIs); CF Kevin Pillar (.253 with 123 hits); RHP Marcus Stroman (11-6, 3.11 ERA); RHP Roberto Osuna (3.40 ERA, 34 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 3-9 Pitching probables: Aug. 31: RHP Marco Estrada vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson, 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 1: RHP Joe Biagini vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 2: RHP Marcus Stroman vs....
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Dillon Atkinson: After changes to lineup, three veteran Orioles have stepped up offensively

Dillon Atkinson: After changes to lineup, three veteran Orioles have stepped up offensively
When you think about the production in the Orioles lineup, who comes to your mind? My guess would be Jonathan Schoop, Manny Machado, Trey Mancini, Tim Beckham or maybe even the catching duo of Welington Castillo and Caleb Joseph. Aside from Machado coming back to a superstar level in the second half and Beckham not coming over to the Birds until August, all of these players have produced at the plate fairly consistently all season long, so they're the obvious choices that would come to mind....
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Andrew Stetka: After weekend sweep, O's back to sniffing postseason spot

Andrew Stetka: After weekend sweep, O's back to sniffing postseason spot
After a weekend sweep in Boston, the Orioles find themselves back in the thick of a playoff race that they really have no business being part of. Then again, none of the teams battling for the American League's second wild card spot have much of a claim to it. Outside of the division leaders, only the Yankees (who hold the top wild card position) and the Rangers even have a positive run differential this season. But after putting together a four-game winning streak to get back to .500, the...
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Opposite dugout: Unyielding Mariners in thick of wild card chase

Opposite dugout: Unyielding Mariners in thick of wild card chase
Manager: Scott Servais (2nd season) Record: 66-65 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: SS Jean Segura (.301, 18 SB), DH Nelson Cruz (.289/.372/.555 with 31 HR, 101 RBIs), 2B Robinson Canó (19 HR, 78 RBIs), 1B Yonder Alonso (.270, 24 HR), LHP Ariel Miranda (8-6, 4.62 ERA), RHP Edwin Díaz (30 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 28: LHP Marco Gonzalez vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 29: RHP Erasmo Ramírez vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 30:...
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