What's gone wrong in the ALCS?

What's gone wrong in the ALCS?
In a victorious clubhouse yesterday at Camden Yards, Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson was asked whether he expected to return to Baltimore for Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. "No sir, I don't," he said. "And I don't think they think that, either." Shots fired. Dyson has every reason to be overflowing with confidence and bravado as his team heads home with a 2-0 lead in the series, but the Orioles fully expect to win at least two games at Kauffman Stadium. Their backs are...

Jones and Showalter talk about being down 0-2 in ALCS

Jones and Showalter talk about being down 0-2 in ALCS
The roster has been a challenge for the Orioles this season with key players lost to injuries and a suspension. The schedule has been a challenge with a multitude of starting times and some brutal travel. Being down two games to none in the American League Championship Series and heading to Kansas City? Just another challenge for the Orioles. Adversity takes on many appearances. "It's another challenge in our face," said center fielder Adam Jones following a 6-4 loss in Game 2 before 46,912...

Another short start for Orioles (O's lose 6-4, down 2-0 in ALCS)

Another short start for Orioles (O's lose 6-4, down 2-0 in ALCS)
The Orioles can't rely this much on their bullpen, no matter how good it is in 2014. Bud Norris lasted only 4 1/3 innings today in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series - the same total that Chris Tillman produced in Game 1. Tillman was spared a loss after the Orioles rallied from a 5-1 deficit. Norris left with the Orioles trailing 4-3 in the fifth, and Brad Brach escaped a jam. Tillman went five innings in Game 1 of the Division Series. Wei-Yin Chen lasted only 3 2/3 innings...

Orioles down early, Jones talks about postseason struggles (O's down 4-3)

Orioles down early, Jones talks about postseason struggles (O's down 4-3)
Orioles Hall of Famer Scott McGregor threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. McGregor was on the mound for the final out of the 1983 World Series. Bud Norris is standing on it today, and he's fallen behind 2-0 after one inning. The Royals strung together three straight hits with one out. Nori Aoki punched a single into left field, Lorenzo Cain doubled to right and Eric Hosmer hit a broken-bat bloop single over shortstop J.J. Hardy's...

Jones on O's mindset: "Seems like a normal day at the office to us"

Jones on O's mindset: "Seems like a normal day at the office to us"
The Royals will start former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie in Game 3 on Monday at Kauffman Stadium. Jason Vargas is expected to start Game 4 the following night. Guthrie is 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA in four career starts against the Orioles. The Royals didn't steal a base last night after leading the majors in that category with 153 during the regular season and swiping 12 in the playoffs - by eight different players. Jarrod Dyson appeared to steal second, but his foot came off the bag during an...

Chen slated for Game 3, Royals lineup

Chen slated for Game 3, Royals lineup
Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez are in the bullpen today and will start the next two nights if not needed in relief. Chen would start Game 3 on Monday at Kauffman Stadium and Gonzalez would start Game 4 on Tuesday. Manager Buck Showalter chose Bud Norris over Chen this afternoon at Camden Yards. "I like Chen a little more in their ballpark and Bud's got experience in 4 o'clock games. Whatever. I don't know," Showalter said. "There were a couple other things. It still let Bud be in...

Orioles' Game 2 lineup

Orioles' Game 2 lineup
The Orioles haven't lost consecutive games at home since June 28-29. They went 31-10 in their final 41 regular season home games and are now 2-1 in Baltimore this postseason. They need to keep that streak alive today or they're going to fall behind two games to none in the American League Championship Series, which moves to Kansas City on Monday. The Royals won 8-6 in 10 innings last night. The Orioles went 6-for-15 with runners in scoring position, but they left 10 men on base. The bullpen...

Hunter provides reminder that "it's the best of seven, so it's not too bad"

Hunter provides reminder that "it's the best of seven, so it's not too bad"
Tommy Hunter warmed up in the third inning last night and pitched in the fifth. Not the usual routine for the Orioles reliever, who tends to make later entrances. Welcome to October baseball. Routines go out the window. Hunter replaced starter Chris Tillman with one out in the fifth, the first time he pitched in that inning since September 2012. Billy Butler lifted a sacrifice fly and Alex Gordon singled before Hunter picked him off first base. Kevin Gausman replaced Hunter in the...

Showalter on Game 2 starter and more

Showalter on Game 2 starter and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed tonight that Bud Norris will start Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday at Camden Yards. Showalter chose Norris over left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. He actually made the decision before an 8-6, 10-inning loss to the Royals in Game 1. Chen is expected to start Game 3, followed by Miguel Gonzalez in Game 4, but everything is subject to change. "We kept (Norris) around like we might need him," Showalter said. "He was trying to beat the...

Game tied and rain continues to fall (O's lose 8-6 in 10 innings)

Game tied and rain continues to fall (O's lose 8-6 in 10 innings)
The rain has picked up in intensity tonight at Camden Yards. So has the scoring. The Orioles battled back from a 5-1 deficit to tie Game 1 of the American League Championship Series 5-5 as we head to the top of the seventh inning. The Royals are known for their bullpen and defense, but they were let down. Rookie Brandon Finnegan, the 17th overall pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of TCU, didn't retire any of the three batters he faced after replacing starter James Shields in...

ALCS Game 1 update, quotes from Pearce and Cruz (O's down 5-4)

ALCS Game 1 update, quotes from Pearce and Cruz (O's down 5-4)
The ballpark is as loud as expected tonight for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Manager Buck Showalter always draws the loudest and most prolonged ovation. The place also erupted for J.J. Hardy, who signed his three-year, $40 million extension yesterday. Players not on the ALCS roster - Matt Wieters, Steve Clevenger, Quintin Berry and Ryan Webb - were introduced before the game. Wieters tried to catch the ceremonial first pitch from former Orioles first baseman Boog...

More quotes before Game 1 of the ALCS

More quotes before Game 1 of the ALCS
The tarp is off the field. Lines are being drawn in chalk. Infield dirt is being raked. It appears that Game 1 of the American League Championship Series will start on time. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked earlier today whether he'd rather play three hours in a light rain or five days in a row. "Yes," he replied. A classic response from Showalter. Just give him a starting time and his team will be ready. "We're pretty excited to be playing," he said. "The big thing is in...

Matusz on his inclusion on the ALCS roster

Matusz on his inclusion on the ALCS roster
Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz said he learned of his inclusion on the American League Championship Series roster following yesterday's workout at Camden Yards. He never took it for granted. Matusz was left off the Division Series roster because the Orioles didn't need more than two left-handed relievers against the Tigers. He didn't know whether he'd make the ALCS cut until notified by manager Buck Showalter. "Buck pulled me into his office and said I'm going to be on the roster,"...

Norris or Chen will start Game 2 of ALCS

Norris or Chen will start Game 2 of ALCS
Orioles manager Buck Showalter sounded confident that Game 1 of the American League Championship Series would be played tonight. He's not anticipating a postponement or suspension. "The weather report looked pretty good," Showalter said. "That was encouraging." The game would be resumed on Saturday if interrupted tonight. Showalter is deciding between Bud Norris and Wei-Yin Chen as his Game 2 starter. He basically knows which way he wants to go, but the plan would change if the...

Orioles lineup for Game 1 of ALCS

Orioles lineup for Game 1 of ALCS
The Orioles are going with the same lineup they fielded behind Chris Tillman in Game 1 of the American League Division Series as they open the AL Championship Series tonight against the Royals. Nick Hundley is again catching Tillman and the Orioles are fielding their best defensive lineup with Alejandro De Aza in left and Steve Pearce at first. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Alejandro De Aza LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Steve Pearce 1B J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 3B Nick Hundley...

Royals lineup vs. Orioles in Game 1 of ALCS

Royals lineup vs. Orioles in Game 1 of ALCS
The tarp is back on the field at Camden Yards this afternoon. It's been removed twice since I arrived here two hours ago. No word from Major League Baseball on the status of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. And no lineup from the Orioles. The Royals just tweeted their lineup. For the Royals Alcides Escobar SS Nori Aoki RF Lorenzo Cain CF Eric Hosmer 1B Billy Butler DH Alex Gordon LF Salvador Perez C Omar Infante 2B Mike Moustakas 3B James Shields RHP Orioles Game 1...

Matusz added to ALCS roster (with K.C. roster)

Matusz added to ALCS roster (with K.C. roster)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter made a small adjustment to his roster for the American League Championship Series. Showalter is keeping 11 pitchers. The only change is the addition of left-hander Brian Matusz and the removal of right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Left-hander T.J. McFarland has been excluded again, with Showalter choosing to add only one southpaw to his bullpen. The position players remain the same. Jimmy Paredes and Kelly Johnson stay on the roster. Infielders/Outfielders (12) Cruz,...

Waiting on ALCS roster, more from Britton, Ripken, Anderson and Bordick

Waiting on ALCS roster, more from Britton, Ripken, Anderson and Bordick
The Orioles are encouraging fans to continue wearing orange to tonight's Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. It's not a blackout Friday at Camden Yards. Maybe you can bring a black umbrella to go with your orange jersey. Cover all the bases, as well as yourself. The umpires for the ALCS are crew chief Joe West, Brian Gorman, Marvin Hudson, Dan Iassogna, Ron Kulpa, Tim Timmons and Mark Wegner. Manager Buck Showalter must turn in his roster by 10 a.m. Here we go again. I...

More notes and quotes from today's workout at Camden Yards

More notes and quotes from today's workout at Camden Yards
There are a lot of leftovers from today's interviews with current and former players at Camden Yards. Anyone object to leftovers for dinner? The Royals lead the majors in stolen bases, and their ability to be disruptive on the basepaths has become a popular storyline leading into Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. The Orioles must find a way to control their running game. Is the defense forced into making adjustments? "A lot," said shortstop J.J. Hardy, owner of a new...

Hardy: "It comes down to winning and I think we've got a good thing here"

Hardy: "It comes down to winning and I think we've got a good thing here"
The timing of today's announcement that the Orioles signed shortstop J.J. Hardy to a three-year extension, a day before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, could best be described as a curiosity among reporters. It made perfect sense to manager Buck Showalter, who sat with Hardy and executive vice president Dan Duquette during today's press conference at Camden Yards. "Is there ever a bad time to announce J.J. continuing as an Oriole?" Showalter asked. "I'd do it anytime....