orioles buzz

Matthew Taylor: This year's O's squad reminiscent of 1996 team

June 24, 2016, 4:31am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: This year's O's squad reminiscent of 1996 team

The Orioles are marking the 20th anniversary of the team's first wild card entry into the playoffs by looking very much the part of that 1996 team in terms of their power at the plate as well as the struggles of their starting rotation. Two decades after winning in, spite of their pitching and slugging their way into the postseason, the Orioles are looking to repeat that effort this year. The good news is they're better positioned to do so now than they were back then. The Orioles' current...

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Zach Wilt: The numbers show Schoop continuing to progress

June 23, 2016, 6:33am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: The numbers show Schoop continuing to progress

On April 30, Jonathan Schoop was hitting a lowly .218 after a week-long stretch in which he went 4-for-23. The first month of the season wasn't kind to the Orioles second baseman, as he had just eight extra-base hits in 82 plate appearances, a .679 OPS, and a .256 on-base percentage, the lowest of any qualified Orioles starter in April. Schoop has been a career .234/.269/.446 hitter in the first month of the season and his .220 batting average on balls in play this April was enough to know...

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Meet Adam Jones this Friday at Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant!

June 21, 2016, 5:48pm

Orioles

Meet Adam Jones this Friday at Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant!

Say cheese! We're giving fans the chance to meet Adam Jones and have your photo taken with him at Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant this Friday! This event is completely free, but you must be following us on Twitter to enter! We've released a virtual ticket on Twitter, and you must show it in order to get in line for the event. You can start to line up at 2:30 p.m., and the photo shoot kicks off at 3 p.m. The first 75 people in line at Dempsey's are guaranteed a FREE photo with Adam that...

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Dillon Atkinson: O's not as defensively savvy as in years past

June 22, 2016, 5:29am

Orioles

Dillon Atkinson: O's not as defensively savvy as in years past

In 2013, the Orioles wanted to make defense a priority, ranking ninth in the majors in Defensive Runs Saved with plus-24 DRS, and third in Ultimate Zone Rating with plus-39.9 UZR. They kept the trend in 2014, in which the club recorded a plus-57 DRS, good for third in the major leagues, and plus-54.8 UZR, which was second-highest in the majors. However, in 2015, the club took steps in the wrong direction defensively, and has continued to do so in 2016. This year, the club ranks 20th in both DRS...

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Ryan Romano: Tyler Wilson needs to improve his fastballs or changeup

June 21, 2016, 5:33am

Orioles

Ryan Romano: Tyler Wilson needs to improve his fastballs or changeup

Tyler Wilson has one great pitch, but the rest need work The Orioles direly need starting pitchers. Both Ubaldo Jimenez and Mike Wright have struggled as of late, and Yovani Gallardo's first start post-disabled list didn't inspire much confidence. Their play has inflated the rotation's ERA to 4.94, the fourth-highest in baseball. Amid this uncertainty, Wilson has done well enough, notching a 4.16 ERA and 4.17 FIP in 63 innings. That's happened on the back of one pitch in particular; his...

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Opposite dugout: Padres reside in NL West cellar, but on a winning streak

June 20, 2016, 5:50pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Padres reside in NL West cellar, but on a winning streak

Manager: Andy Green (1st season) Record: 29-42 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Wil Myers (.292 with 16 HR, 44 RBIs), RF Matt Kemp (15 HR, 47 RBIs), CF Melvin Upton Jr. (32 RBIs, 15 SB), RHP Fernando Rodney (14 saves, 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-2 in 2013) Pitching probables: June 21: RHP Luis Perdomo vs. RHP Tyler Wilson, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 22: RHP Erik Johnson vs. TBA, 7:05 p.m., MASN Inside the Padres: When the Padres hit Camden Yards for a two-game...

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Maryland's top high school athletes take part in Brooks Robinson All-Star Game

June 20, 2016, 12:36pm

Orioles

Maryland's top high school athletes take part in Brooks Robinson All-Star Game

Getting the chance to watch major league players show off their talent and try to capture a World Series championship is always something special. Time and time again, players who reach the pinnacle of baseball will talk about how fortunate they are to be some of the lucky few who were able to achieve their dream of not only playing in the majors, but winning a championship, too. But, like any player, his career had to start somewhere. For most, it began in the backyards or tee ball fields,...

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Opposite dugout: Cubs are hot, but Rangers are scorching

June 20, 2016, 3:03am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Cubs are hot, but Rangers are scorching

Manager: Jeff Banister (2nd season) Record: 45-25 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: CF Ian Desmond (.309 average, 85 hits); 2B Rougend Odor (13 HR, 34 RBIs); RF Nomar Mazara (.293 average, 11 HR); SP Cole Hamels (7-1, 2.88 ERA); SP Colby Lewis (6-0, 2.81 ERA); SP Derek Holland (5-5, 1.35 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1 Pitching probable: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. LHP Derek Holland, 8:05 p.m., MASN Inside the Rangers: It's easy for teams to think about the benefits of a game that gets rained...

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Yard Work podcast: Episode 6

June 18, 2016, 8:46am

Orioles

Hey, O's fans. Welcome to this week's episode of Yard Work. The Orioles returned from a seven-game road trip against the two teams on their heels in the American League East. And after dropping three of four against the Blue Jays and winning two of three against the Red Sox, the Orioles remained atop the division heading into the weekend, though both Boston and Toronto are still close behind. Steve Melewski and I recap the road trip and talk about what the Orioles need to do to stay in...

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Matthew Taylor: Fulfilling a Father's Day promise through baseball

June 17, 2016, 4:58am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Fulfilling a Father's Day promise through baseball

I promised my dad, as he laid on what could have been his death bed some 18 months ago, that we would do the Father's Day Catch on the Field if he survived his cardiac arrest. I wrote about it back then. This Sunday, I'll make good on that promise as my dad and I will join several other fathers and sons with stories of their own to have a catch at Camden Yards. Dad got a second chance at life. Now I have a chance to make it right with what would have been a missed opportunity. I've...

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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays hitting their stride as summer nears

June 17, 2016, 3:00am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays hitting their stride as summer nears

Manager: John Gibbons (9th season) Record: 38-31 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: LF Michael Saunders (.307, 67 hits), 3B Josh Donaldson (.276, 16 HR, 43 RBIs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (18 HR, 61 RBIs), RHP Aaron Sanchez (6-1, 3.38 ERA), RHP Marcus Stroman (6-2, 4.76 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (1.84 ERA, 13 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 4-3 Pitching probables: June 17: RHP Aaron Sanchez vs. RHP Mike Wright, 7:05 p.m., MASNJune 18: RHP R.A. Dickey vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo, 4:05 p.m., MASNJune 19:...

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Zach Wilt: Can O's bullpen continue to mask starting pitching woes?

June 16, 2016, 6:14am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Can O's bullpen continue to mask starting pitching woes?

Last night, the Orioles offense rallied late with four runs split between the seventh and eighth innings, but ultimately weren't able to overcome a short outing from their starting pitcher. Stop me if you've heard that sentence before. Kevin Gausman, who despite his winless record, has been right behind Chris Tillman as the Birds' best starter, and entered the contest with a 3.45 ERA. Unfortunately, he scattered six runs over seven hits in just three innings of work against the Boston Red...

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Jim Palmer's new book offers look back at one of baseball's greatest

June 15, 2016, 9:35am

Orioles

Jim Palmer's new book offers look back at one of baseball's greatest

In a touch of irony, it's hard to put into words exactly what makes Jim Palmer's latest book so good. Palmer recently released his new book entitled "Jim Palmer: Nine Innings to Success." It's a story of the life and career of one of the greatest baseball players in history, as well as a series of life lessons, a guide for dealing with the pressures and negativity that affect all of us, and how to push through to achieve excellence and happiness. So with no real words to do it justice,...

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Nominations sought online for Birdland Community Heroes

June 14, 2016, 1:54pm

Orioles

Nominations sought online for Birdland Community Heroes

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their tireless efforts to make their community a better place to live? If so, the Orioles want you to nominate them as a Birdland Community Hero. The process couldn't be easier - it's all online right here. Just tell the Orioles why - in 200 words or less - someone deserves the acknowledgement. Nominations will be accepted until 9:59 a.m. on Sept. 2. The Birdland Community Heroes program honors community heroes who inspire up through their...

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Dillon Atkinson: Who will represent O's in All-Star Game?

June 15, 2016, 5:25am

Orioles

Dillon Atkinson: Who will represent O's in All-Star Game?

Following a 3-2 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday night, the Orioles have sole possession of first place in the AL East, leading Boston by one game. The team should have multiple players representing the club in San Diego for the All-Star Game, but who will it be? Here are eight O's players who I think have a chance at taking the trip next month. I have ranked them from who I believe is most likely to go to who is least likely. First on my list is Manny Machado. He's currently leading American...

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Opposite dugout: Pitching will decide Orioles-Red Sox series for division lead

June 14, 2016, 6:40am

Orioles

Manager: John Farrell (4th season) Record: 36-26 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: DH David Ortiz (.340/.423/.708 with 16 HR, 55 RBIs), SS Xander Bogaerts (.359/.405/.527 with 44 RBIs), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.311 with 10 HR, 43 RBIs), RHP Steven Wright (7-4, 2.09 ERA), RHP Craig Kimbrel (2.31 ERA with 14 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 3-4 Pitching probables: June 10: RHP Chris Tillman vs. LHP David Price, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 June 11: RHP Tyler Wilson vs. RHP Steven Wright, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 June...

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Andrew Stetka: O's can't afford to wait on decision regarding Jimenez's future

June 13, 2016, 4:15am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: O's can't afford to wait on decision regarding Jimenez's future

After his latest debacle in Toronto, Ubaldo Jimenez is right on the edge of falling off the cliff. The Orioles have few options when it comes to moving forward with Jimenez, but if they want to keep up their chances of competing in the American League East, it might be time to cut bait. Six out of his last seven starts could be slotted into the "miserable" category. In the one that wasn't, he lasted just five innings while allowing one run. The Orioles would obviously be required to eat...

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Yard Work podcast: Episode 5

June 10, 2016, 12:34pm

Orioles

It's a shame nothing memorable or exciting happened this past week with the Orioles. Ok, despite the poor attempt at humor, the last seven days have been some of the most action-packed this season. The Orioles completed a 10-game homestand with an impressive 7-3 record, made more impressive when you consider that mark includes the Birds dropping the first two games against the Red Sox. But, following a split with Boston, a series win against the Yankees, and a sweep of the Royals, the Orioles...

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Matthew Taylor: Getting ready for a division race as an Orioles fan

June 10, 2016, 6:59am

Orioles

What kind of Orioles fan are you? Optimistic or pessimistic? Do you enjoy the ride throughout the season or constantly fret about the end result? Do you live game-by-game or operate with the big picture in mind? Your answers may vary by season, or even within the same season. My approach has varied greatly since the O's starting winning again, and the 2016 season is unlike any one before. Fourteen seasons of losing inevitably affected my outlook on the Orioles. It made me a pessimist who...

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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays not quite an offensive juggernaut and bullpen is struggling

June 07, 2016, 12:47pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays not quite an offensive juggernaut and bullpen is struggling

Manager: John Gibbons (9th season) Record: 32-29 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Michael Saunders (.290/.372/.523 with 9 HR, 19 RBIs), LF Ezekiel Carrera (.344), 3B Josh Donaldson (14 HR, 33 RBIs), 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion (12 HR, 46 RBIs), RF Jose Bautista (12 HR, 39 RBIs), LHP J.A. Happ (6-3, 3.57 ERA), RHP Aaron Sanchez (5-1, 2.91 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (1.65 ERA, 13 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 9: RHP Tyler Wilson vs. RHP Marcus Stroman, 7:07 p.m.,...