orioles buzz

Zach Wilt: Comparing 2015 Orioles' position to the Royals' in 2014

July 30, 2015, 7:01am

Orioles

In the National Football League, the idea of parity is constantly preached. "Any given Sunday" is the mantra of the league that claims to be the most fair of any of the professional sports. A last place team a season ago can make the postseason 12 months later, and all it takes to win the Super Bowl is a hot stretch over a few games at the right time. That mentality is part of the reason that the game has become the most popular sport in our country. Maybe baseball should promote itself in...

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Domenic Vadala: Nick Markakis' return to Camden Yards a "Baltimore moment"

July 28, 2015, 5:19pm

Orioles

Domenic Vadala: Nick Markakis' return to Camden Yards a "Baltimore moment"

I, along with much of Birdland, had been anticipating July 27 for some time. Like most cities, Baltimore celebrates and appreciates its sports heroes. Over time we've seen many athletes play here only to leave and return in other uniforms, such as Eddie Murray, Bill Ripken, and even Rafael Palmeiro - albeit in a different manner given that he wasn't drafted here and brought into the big leagues with the Orioles. And we saw the same thing with Nick Markakis the other night when he came in as a...

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Matt Kremnitzer: Looking at Chris Davis in right field

July 21, 2015, 5:27am

Orioles

Matt Kremnitzer: Looking at Chris Davis in right field

Nothing gets by Buck Showalter, but that doesn't mean you have to believe everything he says. You probably shouldn't believe everything anyone says. In February, when discussing Chris Davis' chances of playing right field during the season, Showalter said, "Chris might be as good a right fielder as we have here." That comment surely made numerous fans roll their eyes. Perhaps that was less of a compliment than an unintentional (or intentional) dig at the defensive skills of some of the...

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Domenic Vadala: Should the Orioles buy or stand pat?

July 22, 2015, 6:15am

Orioles

If you read my column on Birds Watcher, perhaps you've noticed that we've started looking toward the trade deadline. This year, the Orioles do in a way find themselves in a bit of a dilemma. I'm not one of those folks suggesting that the Orioles should consider selling off because "they aren't good enough" or something like that. But in my view the real dilemma is "buy or stand pat?" The Orioles are a contending team, so let's just dismiss the notion of selling right now. So that...

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Zach Wilt: Orioles' biggest need at the trade deadline

July 23, 2015, 7:00am

Orioles

When Major League Baseball added a second Wild Card to each league in 2012, the trade market completely changed. As I look at the standings here on July 23, six teams are within five games for an American League Wild Card berth. If you include the three division leaders and two teams that current sit in a Wild Card spot, that's 11 of the league's 15 teams. How is it possible that only four clubs will sell at deadline? Maybe it's time to push pack that date another two weeks. Prior to Game...

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Matt Kremnitzer: O's offense could use Hardy's power

July 27, 2015, 7:27pm

Orioles

Matt Kremnitzer: O's offense could use Hardy's power

Whether or not the Orioles end up making a major acquisition before the trade deadline, one of the most frustrating parts of this season has been the lack of production from position players who have previously demonstrated the ability to play well. Steve Pearce, Travis Snider, Delmon Young, and Alejandro De Aza are far from stars, but when used correctly, they have been able to contribute. Perhaps the expectations were too high for many of the O's role players. Despite his timely walk-off...

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Opposite dugout: Markakis, Braves struggling with power entering return to Baltimore

July 26, 2015, 1:33pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Markakis, Braves struggling with power entering return to Baltimore

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (5th season) Record: 46-52 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.298/.368/.516 with 12 HR and 41 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.286/.368/.359 with 32 RBIs), C A.J. Pierzynski (.286 with 6 HR, 30 RBIs), RHP Shelby Miller (7-6, 3.78 ERA), RHP Jim Johnson (20 holds, 2.11 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-2 in 2012) Pitching probables: July 27: LHP Alex Wood vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 28: RHP Julio Teheran vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez,...

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Andrew Stetka: Development woes create clear path for Orioles

July 27, 2015, 5:10am

Orioles

This week's non-waiver trade deadline is unlike any in years for the Orioles. Not only do the O's have the clear distinction of not really knowing where they sit on the buy/sell fence, but there's also a certain weight of importance with this deadline because of key pending free agents. Some people you talk to are fully on the sell train, while others believe this team has a real chance to defend its American League East crown. I don't dismiss that this team can be competitive down the...

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Opposite dugout: Rays are showing signs that they're fading from contention

July 23, 2015, 2:48pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Rays are showing signs that they're fading from contention

Manager: Kevin Cash (1st season) Record: 48-49 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: DH Joey Butler (.296 with 6 HR, 21 RBIs), IF Logan Forsythe (.283 with 10 HR, 40 RBIs), 3B Evan Longoria (9 HR, 42 RBIs), RHP Chris Archer (9-7, 2.73 ERA 153 Ks in 128 2/3 IP), RHP Erasmo Ramirez (8-3, 3.54 ERA), RHP Brad Boxberger (24 saves, 3.18 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 4-5 Pitching probables: July 24: RHP Chris Tillman vs. RHP Chris Archer, 7:10 p.m., MASN July 25: RHP Miguel Gonzalez vs. RHP Erasmo...

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Opposite dugout: Division games could be deciding factor for Yankees in second half

July 20, 2015, 4:31pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Division games could be deciding factor for Yankees in second half

Manager: Joe Girardi (8th season) Record: 50-41 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Brett Gardner (.300/.378/.477 with 10 HR, 42 RBIs), DH Alex Rodriguez (.277/.378/.515 with 19 HR, 52 RBIs), C Brian McCann (.255 with 15 HR, 58 RBIs), 1B Mark Teixeira (.249 with 23 HR, 63 RBIs), RHP Nathan Eovaldi (9-2, 4.50 ERA), LHP Andrew Miller (20 saves, 1.44 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 5-5 Pitching probables: July 21: LHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 22: RHP Kevin Gausman...

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Andrew Stetka: Trade winds may not fill O's sails

July 19, 2015, 1:21pm

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Trade winds may not fill O's sails

We're entering that portion of the baseball season where things start to get crazy. The non-waiver trading deadline is less than two weeks away, and teams are really starting to decide where they stand and whether or not they have what it takes to make a move. For the Orioles, this decision comes with many tentacles. The O's are a team looking to build off three straight winning seasons, which included the first division title since 1997. The problem is that the team still has a few glaring...

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Opposite dugout: Tigers boast offense, but pitching has been an issue

July 15, 2015, 7:02pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Tigers boast offense, but pitching has been an issue

Manager: Brad Ausmus (2nd season) Record: 44-44 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Jose Iglesias (.314, 9 SB), LF Yoenis Cespedes (.297 with 13 HR, 51 RBIs), RF J.D. Martinez (.289/.347/.565 with 25 HR, 59 RBIs), LHP David Price (9-2, 2.38 ERA), RHP Joakim Soria (3.38 ERA, 20 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (5-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 17: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez, 7:08 p.m., MASN2 July 18: RHP Chris Tillman vs. LHP David Price, 7:08 p.m., MASN2 July...

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Matthew Taylor: Digging deeper into Darren O'Day's numbers

July 17, 2015, 6:32am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Digging deeper into Darren O'Day's numbers

I wanted to be able to better articulate the value of Orioles All-Star reliever Darren O'Day. In attempting to do so, I developed an appreciation for the late Stu Miller. That's the sort of thing that can happen when you dig into the numbers late at night. The difference in my understanding of both players was a lesser-mentioned statistic that speaks to the value of relief pitchers. Ask most O's fans to talk about O'Day's value and you're as likely to hear a chant as you are any kind of...

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Oriole Advocates back from Nicaragua after another successful Cardboard to Leather distribution

July 14, 2015, 1:00pm

Orioles

Oriole Advocates back from Nicaragua after another successful Cardboard to Leather distribution

What do you do with a pair of shoes when you're done with them? Maybe you literally walk a hole in them, and they're bound for the waste basket. Perhaps they're re-soled and recycled, or even turned into family hand-me-downs. Maybe there's still some tread left, and you donate them to your favorite charity so someone without proper footwear can benefit from them. But I'll bet you've never considered turning those worn-out shoes into a makeshift baseball glove. In many poorer countries, a...

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First stage of renovations complete at Babe Ruth Museum

July 12, 2015, 7:11am

Orioles

First stage of renovations complete at Babe Ruth Museum

The All-Star break is here, and for rabid baseball fans, it's kind of like going through withdrawal. No Orioles box score to pore over in the morning, no game to plan your evening around. Sure, there's the Home Run Derby tonight and the All-Star Game tomorrow in Cincinnati, but it's not the same thing as rooting for the home team. You might need something to satisfy your baseball fix. If you're in or near Baltimore, this might be a good time to visit one of Charm City's treasures, the Babe...

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Opposite dugout: Nationals looking to deliver in another season with high expectations

July 09, 2015, 4:21pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Nationals looking to deliver in another season with high expectations

Manager: Matt Williams (2nd season) Record: 46-38 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Bryce Harper (.343/.417/.709 with 25 HR, 60 RBIs, 6.1 WAR), 3B Yunel Escobar (.315/.365/.405 with 27 RBIs), 2B Danny Espinosa (.258/.338/.435 with 9 HR, 25 RBIs), C Wilson Ramos (.258 with 8 HR, 38 RBIs), RHP Jordan Zimmermann (7-5, 3.04 ERA), LHP Matt Thornton (2.18 ERA, 1.02 WHIP), RHP Drew Storen (25 saves, 1.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-3 in 2014) Pitching probables: July...

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Matthew Taylor: Will Nats' Harper be taking aim at warehouse this weekend?

July 10, 2015, 6:05am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Will Nats' Harper be taking aim at warehouse this weekend?

Would you be OK with a batter from a visiting team hitting the B&O Warehouse at Camden Yards? What if it were a member of the New York Yankees? The Boston Red Sox? How about the Washington Nationals? What if Bryce Harper were to do it this weekend? Two years ago, then-Washington Examiner columnist Thom Loverro predicted that Harper would hit the warehouse, boasting, "They might as well order the plaque now. Sooner or later, he is going to hit that warehouse." Loverro argued it could well...

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Zach Wilt: Manny Machado and the Home Run Derby

July 09, 2015, 5:23am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Manny Machado and the Home Run Derby

For the third consecutive season, an Orioles player will be participating in the Home Run Derby. Chris Davis represented Charm City in 2013 and Adam Jones donned the orange and black at the Derby a year ago. This year, 23-year-old Manny Machado will step into the batter's box and look to be the first Oriole to win the contest since Miguel Tejada in 2004. In 2015, the Home Run Derby has a few changes. For starters, it's now a single-elimination bracket-style tournament, where players are...

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Domenic Vadala: Would a small change benefit Birds?

July 07, 2015, 6:18pm

Orioles

Domenic Vadala: Would a small change benefit Birds?

First off, greetings from the Delmarva shore, which is where I am this week! I'm taking my annual summer hiatus from the big city, if you will - so far so good, I suppose! Much like Ocean City, coastal Delaware is a place that's chock full of orange and black this time of year, and as I've walked along the boardwalks of the "Small Wonder State," I've seen lots of TVs showing Orioles games in bars and restaurants. Speaking of small wonders, we all know that small ball is a part of the...

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Matt Kremnitzer: O'Day has been better than ever

July 06, 2015, 7:36pm

Orioles

Matt Kremnitzer: O'Day has been better than ever

Darren O'Day is a very good relief pitcher, but you already know that. You probably also know by now that O'Day was selected to the All-Star Game along with fellow Orioles Adam Jones, Manny Machado, and Zach Britton. All are deserving choices, though plenty of deserving players around the league are left off the team each year. Regardless, it's impressive to have four players on the team overall and two pitchers from the same bullpen. It's impossible to watch O'Day pitch without marveling...