O's game blog: Birds try to improve on non-AL East record against Houston

O's game blog: Birds try to improve on non-AL East record against Houston
Now that the Orioles are playing well with a record of 13-8 against the American League East, they will try to win a few series outside of the division. It's not like they haven't done that. They swept a doubleheader against Pittsburgh. But the Orioles lost two of three to Detroit, Kansas City and Minnesota. They went 0-3 in those series and 5-2-1 in the other eight series they've played. After coming off their sweep against Tampa Bay, and with six wins the last eight games, the Orioles host...

More on Feldman and McLouth, and a note on season ticket invoices

More on Feldman and McLouth, and a note on season ticket invoices
It's been interesting to track the reaction of fans after news broke today that Scott Feldman signed with the Astros and Nate McLouth agreed to terms with the Nationals. Two players that the Orioles wanted to bring back, but only under their conditions. They didn't want to give Feldman three guaranteed years. They wanted to avoid giving McLouth two years at $10-$11 million. Executive vice president Dan Duquette spoke to both agents and knew those players no longer were a fit based on what...

"Because You Asked - Beyond Cyberspace"

"Because You Asked - Beyond Cyberspace"
It wouldn't be the holidays without a movie classic and its endless sequels. On this day, I'm thankful for my family and friends, my loyal readers, a paycheck every two weeks, GNC, Biceps Day, YouTube, the RedZone Channel, "Modern Family" reruns, "Anchorman 2," expired restraining orders, dirty martinis, front-close bras, Liberatore's wine-tasting dinners and "Because You Asked." With three NFL games today, I may as well get in the spirit and tackle the same questions that keep...

Checking on the pitching market

Checking on the pitching market
Tim Hudson is no longer an option to join the Orioles' rotation. But when one door closes ... Hudson reportedly has agreed to a two-year, $23 million contract with the Giants that may include a full no-trade clause. The details are unfolding. The Orioles liked Hudson and were seen as a potential match, but they never made an offer. Would you give Hudson, a 38-year-old pitcher who recently had a pin removed from his ankle, $23 million? I'd be more inclined if it weren't my money. And...

Walking down a few aisles in the free agent market

Walking down a few aisles in the free agent market
It wouldn't be the hot stove season without names of free agents being thrown against a wall to see which ones stick. It's speculation city, baby. Population: Everyone. I've started a drinking game. I'm doing a shot every time I read that the Orioles "may," "could" or "should" sign a player. I'd stay sober if it only required "will." But it's that time of the year. Enjoy it. Just don't try to walk a straight line. The Orioles have certain needs, which have been...

Let the free agent frenzy begin

Let the free agent frenzy begin
Anyone remember who the Orioles play on opening day next season? Oh, yeah, right. If one kid shows up at my door for Halloween tonight wearing a beard and a Red Sox cap, he's getting a treat from the crappy bag of candy. No mini Snickers or Kit Kat or Hershey bar or Reese's. Enjoy your Dum Dum. Consider yourselves lucky that I'm not handing out dental floss or pocket combs. I actually picked the Red Sox to win the World Series before the playoffs started, but I wasn't going out on a...

Will the Tim Lincecum contract impact deals for other pitchers, including Scott Feldman?

Will the Tim Lincecum contract impact deals for other pitchers, including Scott Feldman?
There have been times in baseball when a popular player signs a new contract to stay with his current team for perhaps less than he can get on the open market. It is said the player gave his team a "hometown discount." That doesn't happen much, but it can. If so, is the reverse true? Did the San Francisco Giants' Tim Lincecum get a "hometown increase?" In other words, did the two-year, $35 million dollar deal Lincecum just signed with the Giants have as much do with his popularity and...

Which free agents will re-sign with the Orioles?

Which free agents will re-sign with the Orioles?
While wondering if Orioles manager Buck Showalter can relate to the heat that John Harbaugh is catching from Ravens fans this season ... I'm heading back home this morning after a weekend filled with love, laughs and calories. Nothing beats family. The Orioles will begin interviewing candidates this week for the vacant pitching coach position. I'm not going to anoint a favorite because we don't have the complete list and there are so many factors in play, including the impression made...

Some of this, some of that

Some of this, some of that
As long as I'm making predictions in October, I may as well deliver one regarding third baseman Manny Machado following last night's update on his left knee surgery. The Orioles aren't conceding that Machado will begin the 2014 season on the disabled list, but that's my guess. The full six-month recovery period would take Machado into mid-April. If he's ready in five months, I'm still skeptical that Orioles manager Buck Showalter will feel comfortable putting him in the lineup on March...

Starting the early talk about the rotation

Starting the early talk about the rotation
Manny Machado will undergo surgery today at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles to repair a torn medial patellofemoral ligament in his left knee. I'll beat the rush and pass along that it's going to be a "successful" surgery and the time frame of a four- to six-month recovery period will remain unchanged. Five months would put Machado in the middle of March, still enough time to get ready for opening day at Camden Yards. In the meantime, he can work on his upper-body strength. Going...

10 questions for O's fans: Offseason edition No. 1

10 questions for O's fans: Offseason edition No. 1
It became a popular feature on this blog late last offseason, so I'm breaking it out early this time around. It's the first offseason edition of "10 questions for O's fans." I've got plenty of questions and you provide plenty of answers. You don't need to answer all the questions. Answer one, two, five or all 10. Provide a one-word answer to any question or expand fully on your answer as much as you like. There are no right or wrong answers, just opinions from you that I'd love to...

How do you feel about the Feldman trade?

How do you feel about the Feldman trade?
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette swung three deals in July before the non-waiver deadline, and another one Aug. 31 before the deadline to set postseason rosters. Did you have a favorite? One that brought instant regret - like that trip through the Taco Bell drive-thru at 2 a.m., or that round of drinks for the women at the other end of the bar at 2 a.m.? Nothing good happens after 2 a.m., right? Let's examine the first trade, which sent pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop to...

Orioles still feeling good about Feldman

Orioles still feeling good about Feldman
Scott Feldman made his final start of the season last night, and it wasn't pretty. It also wasn't indicative of his time spent in an Orioles uniform. Feldman had allowed three earned runs or fewer in his last eight starts before the Red Sox shelled him. The Orioles won't judge him on it. The question is, will they re-sign him? Feldman will become a free agent following the season, and he's a favorite of manager Buck Showalter. The Orioles would like to retain him, but maybe not if...

Showalter speaks after 12-3 loss

Showalter speaks after 12-3 loss
The Orioles held another Fireworks Night following their 12-3 loss to the Red Sox. Seemed kind of redundant. Scott Feldman turned in his shortest outing as an Oriole, allowing eight runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. "He was up. Basically up," said manager Buck Showalter. "There's a fine line there. I thought he might find his step. He had a pretty clean second inning, but he couldn't get back in there in the third. He just elevated a lot of pitches. "It's unfortanate. You're...

Postgame comments from Feldman, Hardy and Jones

Postgame comments from Feldman, Hardy and Jones
Scott Feldman made a quick exit tonight, giving up eight runs and eight hits over just 2 1/3 innings as the Red Sox beat the Orioles 12-3. Feldman gave up five runs in the first, the most runs he has allowed in the opening inning in his 30 starts. "I just wasn't very good," Feldman said. "Seems like I made a lot of mistakes behind in the count and they hit them. Anytime I made a mistake, they pretty much put the good part of the bat on it. "Would have been nice to finish up stronger...

Scott Feldman makes early exit as Boston takes series opener

Scott Feldman makes early exit as Boston takes series opener
Whatever momentum O's starter Scott Feldman had going in recent starts sure didn't last long tonight. Feldman gave up eight runs and eight hits over just 2 1/3 innings as Boston beat the Orioles 12-3 in the first game of the last series of the year in front of 30,774 at Camden Yards. Chris Davis hit a solo homer in the sixth, his 53rd of the year. Davis is the first player in the the majors with 53 homers and 138 RBIs since Alex Rodriguez in 2007. Davis also moved past Frank Robinson with...

Game update and more notes (Jones hits career-high 33rd homer)

Game update and more notes (Jones hits career-high 33rd homer)
The Red Sox are serious about securing the top seed in the American League playoffs. Real serious. They sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning and jumped Orioles starter Scott Feldman for five runs, the last three coming on Daniel Nava's home run to right field. Five straight batters reached after Feldman retired leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury. Mike Napoli doubled to score Dustin Pedroia and Nava followed with his 12th home run on a 75 mph curveball. Left-hander Zach Britton...

While waiting for the lineups ...

While waiting for the lineups ...
The Orioles are down to their last three games and will attempt to play spoilers by denying the Red Sox home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Orioles (9-7) are the only American League East team to post a winning record against the Red Sox in 2013. The Yankees were 6-13, the Rays were 7-12 and the Blue Jays were 8-11. Scott Feldman is making is final start in 2013. Will it also be his last start with the Orioles? He's a pending free agent. Mike Napoli is 11-for-27 (.407) with...

Postgame comments following 3-1 loss

Postgame comments following 3-1 loss
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles never wanted to be dependent on other teams to make the playoffs. Their remaining schedule contained games only against division opponents. Their fate rested in their hands. Now, they need a helping hand or two. Today's 3-1 loss to the Rays left the Orioles 4 1/2 games back in the wild card chase. Three teams separate them from the Indians, who currently hold the second spot. "Basically, how it's going to turn out is we're going to have to win out and...

O's held scoreless until the ninth in 3-1 loss against Tampa Bay

O's held scoreless until the ninth in 3-1 loss against Tampa Bay
For the Orioles it was a matter of another day and another game with not much offense. By not much, they had a single by Manny Machado to lead off the game and just two hits after that in a 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in a game started by a young pitcher making his major league debut. The Orioles were shut out on one hit heading to the ninth, but scored on a two-out, RBI double by Matt Wieters that hit the catwalk on the Tropicana Field roof and landed in play. Since the eighth inning on...