Yard Work: Episode 11

Yard Work: Episode 11
Hey, Orioles fans. Welcome to another edition of Yard Work. On this week's episode ... Jonathan Schoop is officially an All-Star! The Orioles second baseman earned his first career selection and will represent the Birds next week in Miami. Schoop's honor is well deserved and a testament to just how far he has progressed in his career. Steve Melewski and I will discuss Schoop's selection and what we expect to see from him next Tuesday. Meanwhile, while it's not quite the All-Star break, the...
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Andrew Stetka: Schoop's All-Star nod is well-deserved

Andrew Stetka: Schoop's All-Star nod is well-deserved
For the first time since 2011, the Orioles will have just one representative at the All-Star Game. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop can always refer to himself as an All-Star now, and rightfully so. While some may have wanted to see Trey Mancini or Welington Castillo get the nod as the O's representative, Schoop is the right man for the job. It's also hard not to feel great for Schoop. He's been stuck in a very deep pool of second basemen in the American League for the first few years of his...
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Opposite dugout: Power surge has Brewers sitting atop NL Central

Opposite dugout: Power surge has Brewers sitting atop NL Central
Manager: Craig Counsell (3rd season) Record: 44-40 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Eric Thames (.243 with 21 HR, 41 RBIs); 3B Travis Shaw (.291 with 17 HR, 59 RBIs); SS Orlando Arcia (.288 with 8 HR, 27 RBIs); RHP Jimmy Nelson (6-4, 3.43 ERA); RHP Corey Knebel (1.13 ERA, 13 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 3: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Brent Suter; 2:10 p.m., MASNJuly 4: RHP Ubaldo Jiménez vs. RHP Jimmy Nelson; 4:10 p.m., MASN2July 5: RHP...
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Opposite dugout: Rays hitters hope to heat up again after going cold in Pittsburgh

Opposite dugout: Rays hitters hope to heat up again after going cold in Pittsburgh
Manager: Kevin Cash (3rd year) Record: 41-40 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Logan Morrison (22 HR, 54 RBIs), CF Mallex Smith (9 stolen bases), OF/DH Corey Dickerson (.330/.371/.577), RF Steven Souza Jr. (14 HR, 49 RBIs), RHP Jacob Faria (3-0, 2.10 ERA, 0.974 WHIP), Alex Colomé (20 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 30: RHP Jacob Faria vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 1: RHP Jake Odorizzi vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 4:05 p.m., MASNJuly 2: RHP Alex Cobb vs....
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Zach Wilt: Back end of Orioles bullpen proved its importance on road trip

Zach Wilt: Back end of Orioles bullpen proved its importance on road trip
Just like that, the Orioles are back to .500. Last night in Toronto, the Birds took care of business and secured a series win to even their record at 39-39. After being shut out the night before, Ubaldo Jiménez delivered his strongest start of 2017 with eight shutout innings of two-hit ball in the finale against the rival Blue Jays. It's amazing what good starting pitching can do for this club. The Orioles have struggled mightily away from Camden Yards in 2017, going 15-25, but just...
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Still time to vote Oriole Park the "Nicest Place in America"

Still time to vote Oriole Park the "Nicest Place in America"
Oriole Park at Camden Yards has recently been named one of 10 finalists for "Nicest Place in America in 2017" by Reader's Digest. Since Camden Yards opened 25 years ago, it has long since been a welcoming place to visitors. The Baltimore Orioles began the Birdland Community Heroes program in 2016 to honor people from around the Orioles community who have had a positive impact on others, whether it be through their selfless acts of service, teaching, charity or working through various...
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Oriole Park a finalist in Reader's Digest balloting for "Nicest Place in America"

Oriole Park a finalist in Reader's Digest balloting for "Nicest Place in America"
People are continuing to take notice of just how fantastic Oriole Park at Camden Yards is - and not just because the venerable stadium is celebrating its 25th anniversary season. The ballpark is a finalist in a poll by Reader's Digest to determine the "Nicest Place in America." Oriole Park is vying with nine other locations - buildings, towns and attractions - for the honor. Among the other contestants is Rock Hall on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Why did Oriole Park make the cut? "By holding...
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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays trying to overcome slow start to season

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays trying to overcome slow start to season
Manager: John Gibbons (10th season) Record: 36-39 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Justin Smoak (.304 with 20 HR, 48 RBIs), 3B Josh Donaldson (.280/.379/.536), DH Kendrys Morales (15 HR, 44 RBIs), RHP Marcus Stroman (7-4, 3.69 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (19 saves, 2.40 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-7 Pitching probables: June 27: RHP Kevin Gausman v. RHP Joe Biagini, 7:07 p.m., MASN2June 28: LHP Wade Miley v. RHP Marcus Stroman, 7:07 p.m., MASN2June 29: RHP Ubaldo Jiménez v. RHP J.A....
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Andrew Stetka: If Orioles sell, who could actually be moved?

Andrew Stetka: If Orioles sell, who could actually be moved?
With five weeks to go until baseball's non-waiver trade deadline, teams are starting to assess whether or not they will be buyers or sellers at the end of July. It's a conversation every front office has this time of year, and it's no different for the Orioles. What is different this year than from recent seasons is the position the Birds find themselves in. Despite being below the .500 mark, the O's find themselves only a handful of games out of a playoff spot. Teams have made crazier runs...
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Zach Wilt: Even former O's starting pitchers are underperforming

Zach Wilt: Even former O's starting pitchers are underperforming
Starting pitching has been the story of the 2017 season for the Orioles. It seems to be a topic every night in Charm City as the Birds have again fallen below .500 at 35-37 and their rotation has produced just two quality starts in their last 16 games. Collectively, the O's pitching staff has allowed five or more runs in 19 consecutive games and they have gone 6-13 over that span. Last week, I wrote about the Orioles' production in June 2016 when they went 19-9 and finished the month with a...
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Opposite dugout: Youngsters stepping up to keep Rays in AL East race

Opposite dugout: Youngsters stepping up to keep Rays in AL East race
Manager: Kevin Cash (3rd year) Record: 39-36 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Logan Morrison (21 HR, 51 RBIs), CF Mallex Smith (9 SB), 3B Evan Longoria (18 doubles, 38 RBIs), OF/DH Corey Dickerson (.326/.365/.583), RHP Jacob Faria (3-0, 1.37 ERA, 0.966 WHIP), Alex Colomé (20 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 23: RHP Chris Archer vs. RHP Ubaldo Jiménez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2June 24: RHP Jacob Faria vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 4:10 p.m., MASNJune 25: RHP Jake Odorizzi...
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Dillon Atkinson: Orioles offense being asked to perform a difficult task

Dillon Atkinson: Orioles offense being asked to perform a difficult task
After dropping the series opener to the Indians on Monday night by the score of 12-0, the Orioles came back to even up the series at one game apiece by defeating the Tribe 6-5 Tuesday evening. Although they counted differently in the win-loss column, there's one thing that's common between not only those two scores, but the scores of the past 17 games. In each of the last 17 games, and 21 of the last 24, the Orioles have allowed their opponents to score five or more runs. The 17-game stretch...
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Yard Work: Episode 10

Yard Work: Episode 10
Hey, Orioles fans. Welcome to another edition of Yard Work. On this week's episode ... The struggles continue for the O's, who have fallen to fourth place in the American League East and are hovering near the .500 mark. Both sides of the ball have been problematic, but it begins with starting pitching, where the Birds have allowed five or more runs in 17 consecutive games. A number of fans are saying it's time for a complete overhaul, but with a closing competitive window, is now the time to...
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O's economic impact in Sarasota grows with expanded Wilson tournament

O's economic impact in Sarasota grows with expanded Wilson tournament
Just because Orioles spring training at Ed Smith Stadium has ended doesn't mean the end of baseball in Sarasota. Thanks to the Orioles, baseball continues to be a year-round activity in and around their preseason home. After impressing organizers of the prestigious Wilson Premier baseball tournament program in 2016, the Orioles will host 15 days of competition in Sarasota County this summer from June 22-July 12 during the Wilson Premier Championship East. The event is one of the largest...
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Andrew Stetka: Hardy's absence will create a new look in O's infield

Andrew Stetka: Hardy's absence will create a new look in O's infield
With J.J. Hardy set to become the latest member of the Orioles to make a trip to the disabled list, parts are going to continue to move for the Birds. It's just the latest in a string of injuries that has recently included first baseman Chris Davis, along with the likes of Zach Britton and Darren O'Day out of the bullpen. Nothing new for the Orioles, but it could certainly spell new looks in the near and distant future. We don't know exactly how long Hardy's injury will keep him off the...
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Opposite dugout: Indians seizing control in AL Central

Opposite dugout: Indians seizing control in AL Central
Manager: Terry Francona (5th season) Record: 36-31 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 3B José Ramírez (.313 with 11 HR, 34 RBIs); DH Edwin Encarnación (.261 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs); CF Michael Brantley (.296 with 61 hits); RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-3, 3.21 ERA); RHP Corey Kluber (5-2, 4.15 ERA). Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-5 in 2016) Pitching probables: Monday, June 19: RHP Corey Kluber vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASNTuesday, June 20: RHP Josh Tomlin vs. RHP Chris Tillman,...
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Opposite dugout: Underachieving Cardinals still a threat in NL Central

Opposite dugout: Underachieving Cardinals still a threat in NL Central
Manager: Mike Matheny (6th season) Record: 30-35 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Jedd Gyorko (.295/.344/.490 with 8 HR, 27 RBIs), 1B Matt Carpenter (.244/.365/.475 with 12 HR, 36 RBIs), CF Dexter Fowler (10 HR, 28 RBIs), RHP Carlos Martínez (5-5, 2.95 ERA), RHP Lance Lynn (5-3, 2.69 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 16: RHP Carlos Martínez vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June 17: RHP Adam Wainwright vs. LHP Wade Miley, 4:05...
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Zach Wilt: Offense can still carry the Orioles

Zach Wilt: Offense can still carry the Orioles
Yesterday afternoon, the Orioles wrapped another disappointing road trip and fell back under .500 with a 32-33 record. The Birds went 1-7 on their eight-game road trip in D.C., New York and Chicago, and they have now lost 16 of their last 18 games away from the friendly confines of Camden Yards. They are now 11-23 on the road this season and thankfully return home tonight to play their next seven contests in Baltimore, where they have gone 21-10 this season. Home sweet home. It's been a tough...
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Orioles launching "Have a Catch" campaign

Orioles launching "Have a Catch" campaign
This Father's Day weekend, the Orioles are beginning a new campaign stemming from Major League Baseball's "Play Ball" campaign called the "Have a Catch" campaign, spurring fans and kids to get outside and play catch. The event will be introduced during the final game of the series between the Orioles and the Cardinals this Father's Day, June 18. This event is sold-out and has raised more than $20,000 for the Orioles Charitable Foundation. Before the first pitch, fans will be able to...
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Dillon Atkinson: When it rains, it pours

Dillon Atkinson: When it rains, it pours
After Tuesday night's 6-1 loss to the White Sox, the Orioles are now 31-32 and in fourth place in the American League East, 7 1/2 games back of the division-leading Yankees. Sure, the Orioles' record makes it look like they're just a near perfectly average Major League Baseball club. But the maddening part of it all is that they started off the season 22-10, looking like they were going to prove all the major analysts' predictions wrong yet again. But now we're in mid-June, and it seems...
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