Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
Pedro Severino remains on the bench tonight with discomfort in his right hip, leaving Bryan Holaday behind the plate as the Orioles continue their series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Severino is day-to-day after leaving Sunday's game. Chance Sisco is the designated hitter. Hanser Alberto is batting second, followed by Anthony Santander. Ryan Mountcastle returns to left field after serving last night as the designated hitter. Pat Valaika is the shortstop after committing two throwing...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Ryan Mountcastle stays in the Orioles lineup and in left field for tonight's game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. He's batting sixth again. Hanser Alberto is playing third base and Ramón Urías is the second baseman. Bryan Holaday is behind the plate, with Pedro Severino serving as the designated hitter. Alex Cobb has made five starts and registered a 3.76 ERA and 1.139 WHIP in 26 1/3 innings. He's risen to staff ace in 2020. The Red Sox faced Cobb on July 25 in Boston and were...

Taking a look at a losing streak, plus Cossins on Hyde

Taking a look at a losing streak, plus Cossins on Hyde
The Orioles' losing streak has reached five games, and they've earned it. They've gone from 12-8 (.600) to 12-13 (.480). They are still winning at a much greater percentage than the team that lost 108 games last year. But during the losing streak, the Orioles have been outscored 33-17. In three of the last four games they have scored two runs or fewer. They've scored three runs in each of the last two games. The same group of players that was carrying the offense can't do it every night....

Bats productive, but O's catchers work to improve the defense as well

Bats productive, but O's catchers work to improve the defense as well
When looking at reasons for the Orioles' improved offense, the production from their catchers has been a key reason in helping the team improve as a whole. Pedro Severino is batting .338 with an OPS of 1.018 and Chance Sisco is batting .270 with an OPS of 1.005. The O's catching trio - including Bryan Holaday - leads the American League in catcher OPS at .945 and that mark ranks third-best in the majors. That is impressive. But while that offense has been very welcome, when someone plays a...

Notes on Sisco setup, Scott's dominance and Hays healing

Notes on Sisco setup, Scott's dominance and Hays healing
The Orioles could be poised to revert back to a leadoff platoon. Manager Brandon Hyde elevated Hanser Alberto to first in the order against left-handed starters in 2019, with Jonathan Villar leading off versus right-handers. But Villar was traded to the Marlins over the winter and a new plan seems to be taking shape. Chance Sisco remains in the lineup today against Blue Jays right-hander Tanner Roark and he's batting first for only the second time in his career. The debut came last night...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Chris Davis stays on the bench tonight while the Orioles open a three-game series at home against the Blue Jays. Davis pinch-hit in the ninth inning yesterday and struck out with the count full. He's 6-for-45 (.133) with a .388 OPS, three doubles, an RBI, three walks and 13 strikeouts. His last home run was hit Sept. 23 in Toronto, where the Blue Jays are prohibited from playing this summer. They've relocated to Buffalo. Davis' last start came in Friday's 15-3 loss to the Nationals. He has...

Orioles use unconventional lineup to beat Nats (updated)

Orioles use unconventional lineup to beat Nats (updated)
The Orioles broke out their Sunday lineup a little early. Or maybe it was too late. They should have tried it last night. An injury to his starting center fielder and an opposing left-handed starter had manager Brandon Hyde digging into his bench and providing opportunities that eluded a few players. Chris Davis and Dwight Smith Jr. sat against Nationals southpaw Patrick Corbin. Bryan Holaday served as the designated hitter for the first time in his career. Pat Valaika made his third start in...

Akin makes major league debut in 15-3 loss (updated)

Akin makes major league debut in 15-3 loss (updated)
Tommy Milone had a week to think about it. How he could at least come close to duplicating his last start against the exact same opponent. Whether he could keep pounding the strike zone and inducing weak contact. Shut out the Nationals for six innings? Let's give it another shot. By the top of the fifth inning, the attention fell squarely upon pitching prospect Keegan Akin and his major league debut. Repeating the magic of last Friday wasn't going to happen. Anthony Santander extended his RBI...

O's win suspended game and run streak to six in a row (updated)

O's win suspended game and run streak to six in a row (updated)
Paul Fry was the first Orioles reliever to make the long walk from the dugout to the bullpen this afternoon, a strong hint that he'd pitch the bottom of the sixth inning in the suspended game at Camden Yards. He warmed up as the "visiting" Orioles batted in the top half and padded their three-run lead on Bryan Holaday's two-out infield hit that scored Dwight Smith Jr., who drew a walk on Sunday. Of course, it makes sense in 2020. Kyle Finnegan let an inherited runner score, Fry and three...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles reach their latest off-day with 14 games still played and an unexpected complication in breaking down an unusual season into increments. The fractions are supposed to show that they're one-fourth of the way into it, but yesterday's rain in D.C. and grounds crew follies forced a suspension and the resumption Friday at Camden Yards with the Orioles ahead 5-2 in the top of the sixth inning. Manager Brandon Hyde is making the necessary mental adjustments, however the numbers are...

Orioles claim López while going for sweep (game suspended)

Orioles claim López while going for sweep (game suspended)
The search for pitching that can provide length and serve in swingman and long relief roles has brought the Orioles to right-hander Jorge López. A team that's trying to get back above .500 fiddling with its roster. The Orioles claimed López off waivers from the Royals earlier today, filling their 40-man roster and 60-man player pool with one transaction. They made the move while also busy building a lead against the Nationals that's been put on hold in the top of the sixth inning due to...

Hyde sits Severino with sore wrist and hand

Hyde sits Severino with sore wrist and hand
Pedro Severino is on the bench this afternoon after being hit last night on the left wrist by a pitch from Nationals reliever Ryne Harper. Manager Brandon Hyde intended to start Severino until checking on him this morning. "Sevie's wrist is sore, his hand, from being hit last night, so he was going to play today, but I talked to him this morning and he's pretty sore from getting hit last night," Hyde said today in his Zoom conference call with the media. Bryan Holaday gets his first start...

Orioles and Nationals lineups

Orioles and Nationals lineups
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is providing rest for a few of his veterans this afternoon as the team attempts to complete a three-game sweep over the Nationals in D.C. Pat Valaika is the shortstop, with José Iglesias on the bench. Renato Núñez is the first baseman, with Chris Davis on the bench. Bryan Holaday gets his first start behind the plate. Chance Sisco is the designated hitter and Pedro Severino is out of the lineup again after his pinch-hit home run last night. Austin Hays...

Wojciechowski starting Sunday in D.C. (and other notes)

Wojciechowski starting Sunday in D.C. (and other notes)
The major league debut of Orioles left-hander Keegan Akin won't necessarily come in a starting role. Not on Sunday, for sure. Manager Brandon Hyde said today on his Zoom conference call that Asher Wojciechowski will work on short rest to close out the series in D.C. Akin is available in long relief this weekend. Left-hander John Means will miss his turn while on the bereavement list. Wojciechowski started the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Marlins and threw 67 pitches, which...

Lumber slumber has led Orioles to brink of series sweep

Lumber slumber has led Orioles to brink of series sweep
More changes came to the Orioles last night beyond their status as the road team inside their own ballpark. Can't wipe the weirdness slate clean. Rather than wait until later today, the Orioles further reduced their roster to 28 players by optioning outfielder DJ Stewart to the alternate camp site in Bowie. Coupled with pitcher John Means going on the bereavement list, the Orioles can stop tweaking the roster unless they want to swap out personnel before playing tonight's series finale...

Orioles and Marlins set for unusual doubleheader today

Orioles and Marlins set for unusual doubleheader today
Getting the Marlins to play one game is a chore. Let's try two. The Orioles are the hosts today for the first game of a doubleheader and the visitors for the second. The uniform colors should change, but the teams won't be switching dugouts. We wouldn't want to make a mockery of coronavirus baseball. The clubs get an extra player for the doubleheader, with both games set for seven innings. The Orioles likely will want another bullpen arm, but I'm done trying to predict anything as it...

Ruiz scratched from lineup, Hays rested (plus other notes)

Ruiz scratched from lineup, Hays rested (plus other notes)
Rio Ruiz has been scratched from the lineup today for unspecified reasons. He was supposed to play third base and bat cleanup. Pat Valaika, who delivered the walk-off single last night in the 11th inning, has replaced Ruiz at third. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is sitting Austin Hays today, a decision based on performance rather than health. The center fielder isn't in the same category as first baseman Chris Davis and shortstop José Iglesias, who are out of the lineup again due to...

Orioles win in 11 innings on Valaika single (updated)

Orioles win in 11 innings on Valaika single (updated)
The Orioles almost made it through tonight's game without committing an error, perhaps because they've gotten so good at handling everything thrown at them. Players are lost to injury or trade. Opponents change unexpectedly and games are rearranged like furniture. Manager Brandon Hyde puts out fires and jokes about dressing for the part. This team is only interested in staying hot. The Rays scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game, taking advantage of Shawn...

Notes on Bleier trade, Davis, Harvey, call-ups and more

Notes on Bleier trade, Davis, Harvey, call-ups and more
The Orioles have selected catcher Bryan Holaday's contract from the alternate camp site in Bowie, and he replaces reliever Richard Bleier on the 30-man roster. The move gives the Orioles 39 players on the 40-man roster. They're now carrying three catchers on the team. Bleier, 33, was traded to the Marlins late last night for a player to be named later. His production and leadership must be replaced. "Rich was one of our older players. We don't have a ton of them," said manager Brandon...

Notes on rotation, taxi squad, opening day, Davis' outlook and more

Notes on rotation, taxi squad, opening day, Davis' outlook and more
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is trying to set up the rest of his rotation without No 1. starter John Means, who's on the injured list with left shoulder fatigue. He appears to have made decisions through the first road trip. Alex Cobb and Wade LeBlanc start the last two games in Boston and Asher Wojciechowki gets the ball for Monday night's series opener against the Marlins in Miami. Hyde is leaning toward using Kohl Stewart the following night before the Orioles head back to Baltimore. The...