Looking at the Orioles' omissions on ALDS roster

Looking at the Orioles' omissions on ALDS roster
With Kevin Gausman and Ubaldo Jimenez placed in the Orioles bullpen in the American League Division Series, a couple of relievers had to be removed in order to create space on an 11-man pitching staff. Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland were the logical choices based on the Tigers' roster, which includes only three left-handed hitters. But Matusz has been with the club all season and McFarland was quickly recalled after starting out with Triple-A Norfolk. Also, manager Buck Showalter always...

Jimenez included on ALDS roster

Jimenez included on ALDS roster
The Orioles will carry 11 pitchers in the American League Division Series that begins later today at Camden Yards, and left-handed relievers Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland aren't included. Ubaldo Jimenez has made the final cut and apparently will work out of the bullpen. Anyone surprised by these developments? I wrote this morning that manager Buck Showalter was likely to reduce the number of left-handers due to the Tigers being predominately a right-handed team. Closer Zach Britton and...

Waiting on the Division Series roster to be revealed

Waiting on the Division Series roster to be revealed
Orioles manager Buck Showalter must turn in his roster for the American League Division Series by 10 a.m. today. It's pretty much set in his mind, along with a rotation that he's already passed along to Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. He's just in no rush to share it with reporters. Showalter wants to make certain that he's not forced into any late changes. Everyone made it through yesterday's workout without incident. It's safe to go with his original list. Showalter said he's been debating...

Orioles get early slot for Game 2

Orioles get early slot for Game 2
The starting times have been determined for the first three games of the American League Division Series between the Orioles and Tigers. First pitch for Game 2 on Friday at Camden Yards is set for 12:07 p.m. following the Giants' victory tonight over the Pirates in the National League wild card game. It would have started three hours later if Pittsburgh had been victorious. Game 1 on Thursday is set for 5:37 p.m., and Game 3 on Sunday at Comerica Park is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The times for...

Showalter, Tillman and Jones talk before today's workout

Showalter, Tillman and Jones talk before today's workout
Orioles manager Buck Showalter and Game 1 starting pitcher Chris Tillman were brought into the interview area - it's not actually a room - before today's workout at Camden Yards. The clubhouse opened to the media for an hour, but it will be closed prior to the Division Series games, per Major League Baseball rules. Here's a portion of the transcripts from today's interviews, starting with Showalter: On whether the intensity is picking up "I don't feel like it's picking up. I mean,...

Showalter debating 10 or 11 pitchers, Gausman to 'pen, Machado with team

Showalter debating 10 or 11 pitchers, Gausman to 'pen, Machado with team
The Orioles are working out at Camden Yards this afternoon before opening the Division Series on Thursday against the Tigers. Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson spoke to the team before they headed out to the field. Manager Buck Showalter was late to his media session, but as he said, "I couldn't shorten Brooks up." "I didn't want to miss that," Showalter added. "That's pretty good there. Wish he could have kept going. He may come back. That was pretty cool." Showalter still hasn't...

How Orioles hitters match up against Tigers rotation

How Orioles hitters match up against Tigers rotation
Did you wake up this morning nursing a Ned Yost hangover and appreciating Buck Showalter just a little bit more than usual? One of the biggest challenges for any manager is handling a bullpen. I've seen it done poorly and I've seen Showalter practically master the art. The Royals have a great 'pen and they advanced to the Division Series, but they must be doing it with mirrors, because Yost is a poor reflection of... OK, you get the point. Let the man up. Wait, I've got one more. Yost...

Duquette: "I like our chances with this ballclub"

Duquette: "I like our chances with this ballclub"
We're down to the final workout before Game 1 of the Division Series. One more day and Camden Yards comes alive again - dressed in orange, volume cranked to the maximum. The 5:37 p.m. starting time may not suit everyone, but why complain when the alternative is spending the postseason on your couch? As Orioles manager Buck Showalter says, you show up when they tell you and you play the games. Chris Tillman opposes Max Scherzer in Game 1. Showalter should clue us in on the rest of his...

Tigers announce starters for Division Series

Tigers announce starters for Division Series
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters today in Detroit that he's sending Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, David Price and Rick Porcello to the mound for the Division Series. Mickey Lolich must not be available. Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA in 33 starts) is 3-1 with a 3.92 ERA in six career starts against the Orioles, with nine walks and 45 strikeouts in 39 innings, and 1-0 with a 4.95 ERA in three starts at Camden Yards. Scherzer is 11-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 14 starts at home and 7-4 with a 3.49...

Quick update on Davis

Quick update on Davis
Chris Davis is making another start at third base today in the instructional league. He's scheduled to play five innings and receive a minimum of four at-bats in a game against the Red Sox in Sarasota. Davis also started at third base yesterday against the Rays in Port Charlotte. He flied out to right field, lifted a sacrifice fly to right-center, grounded a single into right and struck out. Davis made his instructional league debut on Friday in Sarasota, collecting an infield hit and a walk...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles will conduct the first of their two workouts today at Camden Yards, which is closed to the media. Reporters will have access to the team on Wednesday. Manager Buck Showalter indicated that he may finalize his Division Series roster today rather than wait until the 10 a.m. deadline on Thursday. No sense dragging it out. Showalter doesn't want to leave players in limbo, especially the ones who have been with the club all season but may not be included on the roster. Yesterday, I...

Division Series start times announced through Sunday

Division Series start times announced through Sunday
Major League Baseball has announced the starting times of the Division Series games through Sunday. Game 1 between the Orioles and Tigers at Camden Yards will start at 5:37 p.m. if the Royals win the American League wild card game, and 6:07 p.m. if the Athletics are victorious. Game 2 on Friday at Camden Yards will begin at 3:07 p.m. if the Pirates win the National League wild card game, and 12:07 p.m. if the Giants are victorious. Game 3 on Sunday in Detroit is slated for 3:45 p.m. That time...

Cruz named finalist for Hank Aaron Award

Cruz named finalist for Hank Aaron Award
The word on the street is that Major League Baseball won't announce the starting times for the American League Division Series until Tuesday. I don't know what time they're going to announce it. I don't even now what time it is as I'm typing this entry. I do know that MAVTV, a channel I've never heard of until today, is currently showing "Brian's Song." I will not cry. I will not cry. I will ... Nelson Cruz has been named as one of 30 finalists for the 2014 Hank Aaron Award. Each club...

Esposito wins Gold Glove

Esposito wins Gold Glove
Single-A Frederick third baseman Jason Esposito, the Orioles' second-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University, has been named a Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipient. Esposito, 24, is the first Keys player to win the award, which was reintroduced to the minors in 2011 after a nearly 50-year hiatus. I don't know what time Esposito will receive it, and I still don't have confirmation on starting times for the Division Series. In 118 games, Esposito paced all...

Looking back and ahead (with note)

Looking back and ahead (with note)
I'm wondering whether fans are in a reflective mood today or focused entirely on the Division Series. My guess is the latter, with maybe a few exceptions. The regular season is over, but the Orioles aren't done playing. Game 1 is set for Thursday against the Tigers at Camden Yards, with an anticipated start time of 6 p.m. That is not official. Major League Baseball should send out a release later today. These two teams have never met in the postseason. I've got to cancel my hotel room...

Today's lineup could be repeated in Game 1 (O's win 1-0, to face Tigers in ALDS)

Today's lineup could be repeated in Game 1 (O's win 1-0, to face Tigers in ALDS)
Did Orioles manager Buck Showalter give us a preview today of his Game 1 lineup in the Division Series? He's not going to say so, but it looks that way to me. Ryan Flaherty has two of the six errors that Orioles third basemen have committed over the last nine games, but he's regarded as a good defender at every infield position and he's got Showalter's trust. I'd expect him to be the regular third baseman in the playoffs, but we'll see. Orioles third basemen committed 13 errors last...

Jones one home run away from milestone

Jones one home run away from milestone
Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has struggled against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in the past, going 3-for-22 (.136) with one home run. A second home run off Dickey today at Rogers Centre would put Jones in select company in Orioles history and allow him to reach another milestone. Jones hit his 29th homer yesterday in a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays. With one more, he will become the fifth Oriole with at least three 30-home run seasons, joining Eddie Murray (five), Rafael Palmeiro (four), Boog...

Flaherty at third base today (Jays lineup added)

Flaherty at third base today (Jays lineup added)
We've finally reached the 162nd game of the regular season. The Orioles will try to avoid being swept by the Blue Jays today before taking off Monday. They open the Division Series on Thursday against the winner of the Central Division. The Tigers hold a one-game lead over the Royals. The Orioles have lost three in a row for the second time since May. They were swept by the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The defense remains shaky, committing three errors in three of their last nine games. The...

Gonzalez on mound for last regular season game

Gonzalez on mound for last regular season game
I don't suggest that you wager on baseball, but if you can't resist, make sure to avoid putting any money on Miguel Gonzalez pitching a complete game today. Or still being on the mound for the seventh inning stretch and the "OK Blue Jays" song. You've got a diamond You've got nine men You've got a hat and a bat And that's not all You've got the bleachers Got 'em from spring 'til fall You got a dog and a drink And the umpire's call Waddaya want? Let's play ball! Gonzalez will make...

Impact of Casilla on roster (Jones homers, O's lose 4-2)

Impact of Casilla on roster (Jones homers, O's lose 4-2)
Alexi Casilla was a career .500 hitter against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ as he stepped to the plate today at Rogers Centre for his first at-bat with the Orioles in 2014. No wonder they added him to the expanded roster. It all makes sense. OK, it was one hit in two at-bats. A small sample size. Casilla joined the Orioles due to concerns over the poor defense at third base. It's not his natural position, but someone else may as well try to handle the hot corner without getting burned....