Orioles talk about challenge of facing three straight Cy Young winners

Orioles talk about challenge of facing three straight Cy Young winners
If the Orioles want to get the lead in the American League Division Series against Detroit, all they have to do is beat last year's AL Cy Young Award winner in Game 1 today. After that, they face another former Cy Young winner. And then another. If the series gets to a fourth game they are expected to face Rick Porcello and, hey, he's never won a Cy Young Award. The Detroit starter today, right-hander Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA), won the award in 2013. Game 2 starter Justin Verlander...

ALDS notebook: Hardy on intensity, Cruz on crowd, Scherzer on facing the O's and more

ALDS notebook: Hardy on intensity, Cruz on crowd, Scherzer on facing the O's and more
The Orioles clinched the American League East on Sept. 16 and they played 11 games since with a postseason berth already assured. We saw the Orioles end the season playing with less intensity than they had before the clincher. Now they need to get that back for the AL Division Series that starts at Camden Yards Thursday against Detroit. Will it be hard to get it back? "No, I don't think so," shortstop J.J. Hardy said before today's workout. "Not with the way these fans are going to be....

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...

Three reasons why Orioles can beat Tigers and three reasons why they may not

Three reasons why Orioles can beat Tigers and three reasons why they may not
From the "Did you know?" department ... Nelson Cruz pretty much single-handedly destroyed the Detroit Tigers while with Texas in the 2011 American League Championship Series. As the Rangers won that series in six games, Cruz went 8-for-22 with two doubles, six homers, 13 RBIs, a 1.273 slugging percentage and 1.713 OPS. He hit the first postseason walk-off grand slam in Game 2 of that series. His six homers and 13 RBIs are the most by one player in one postseason series in baseball...

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...

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...

Zach Wilt: Comparing Nelson Cruz to Frank Robinson

Zach Wilt: Comparing Nelson Cruz to Frank Robinson
Nelson Cruz's career year couldn't have come at a better time. The Orioles slugger will likely finish the season with the Major League lead in home runs, assuming Jose Abreu doesn't go on an absolute tear. He currently sits at 40 homers, seven more than his previous career-high in 2009 and his 108 RBIs are also more than he's ever driven in, he finished with 90 in 2012. Cruz has totaled more doubles and taken more free passes this year than he had in any of his previous nine seasons in the...

Notes on the AL East, O's hot hitters and more

Notes on the AL East, O's hot hitters and more
With the Orioles' win on Wednesday in New York, the American League East champion has won 95 or more games for 14 consecutive seasons, dating back to 2001. No other division comes even close to that. On another note, this year will be the first time since 1993 that neither the Yankees or Red Sox will be in the postseason. That will come as music to the ears of some Orioles fans. As we get into next week, and the national media begins to focus solely on the playoff teams, some may portray the...

O's use big inning to get best of Greene, Yankees 9-5

O's use big inning to get best of Greene, Yankees 9-5
The Orioles finally made Shane Greene feel blue. He went 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in his first two starts against them this year and took a 3-0 lead into the fourth inning today. Then the Orioles knocked him out of the game during a six-run, seven-hit inning where they sent 11 batters to the plate on the way to beating the Yankees 9-5 this afternoon. Held to one hit and shut out in the series opener on Monday, the Orioles produced 14 runs on 32 hits in winning the last two games at Yankee...

Notes on Steve Johnson, Tillman, Cruz and playoff tickets (O's down 3-0)

Notes on Steve Johnson, Tillman, Cruz and playoff tickets (O's down 3-0)
NEW YORK - Chase Headley singled with two outs in the first inning and scored on Mark Teixeira's double to right field to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead over the Orioles. Steve Johnson underwent surgery this morning in New York to shave down a bone spur behind his right shoulder. Johnson is expected to be full-go for spring training. Earlier today, Chris Tillman talked about his starting assignment in Game 1 of the Division Series. "It means a lot," he said. "I'm excited about it, looking...

O's game blog: Bud Norris is 8-1 with a 2.72 ERA against AL East

O's game blog: Bud Norris is 8-1 with a 2.72 ERA against AL East
Right-hander Bud Norris (14-8, 3.62 ERA) pitches against right-hander Shane Greene (5-3, 3.24 ERA) today as the Orioles face New York at Yankee Stadium. Norris is 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three career starts against New York, all coming this season. In 17 innings, he has allowed 12 hits and four runs with five walks and 19 strikeouts. Yankees batters are hitting just .197 against him. In 13 starts against the American League East this season, Norris is 8-1 with a 2.72 ERA and the O's have gone...

Norris on mound for third game of series

Norris on mound for third game of series
NEW YORK - Bud Norris takes the mound this afternoon at Yankee Stadium unsure of his exact placement in the Division Series rotation. Or maybe he's been told and manager Buck Showalter has sworn everyone to secrecy. Chris Tillman is starting Game 1. Wei-Yin Chen will be announced at some point as the Game 2 starter. Showalter will use four starters in the Division Series unless there's a sweep. We're just waiting for confirmation on the order. Norris might warrant the Game 1 start if...

Nelson Cruz hits No. 40 as the Orioles beat New York

Nelson Cruz hits No. 40 as the Orioles beat New York
Nelson Cruz hit his major league-leading 40th homer and Nick Markakis drove in three to break out of a batting slump as the Orioles beat New York 5-4 at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles are 94-63 with the win. That is their most wins since the 1997 Orioles won 98. Cruz's solo shot leading off the fifth off Brandon McCarthy made him the sixth player in the O's history to hit 40 or more. That list also includes Chris Davis (53 in 2013), Brady Anderson (50 in 1996), Frank Robinson (49 in 1966),...

Cruz hits 40th home run (O's win 5-4)

Cruz hits 40th home run (O's win 5-4)
NEW YORK - Remember when Nelson Cruz stayed on the free-agent market into spring training and it seemed as though nobody wanted him? Remember when fans and media debated whether the Orioles should sign Cruz or Kendrys Morales? Has it really been seven months? Cruz just hit his 40th home run leading off the top of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 5-1 lead over the Yankees. Cruz becomes the sixth Oriole to hit 40 or more home runs in a season, joining Chris Davis (53 in 2013), Brady...

A quote-worthy homestand

A quote-worthy homestand
The Orioles may have lost Sunday to Boston, but they won seven of 10 games on the homestand that ended yesterday. They had two walk-off wins against New York and no one will forget the American League East clincher last Tuesday against Toronto. It was a homestand where several players did in-depth interviews to talk about a special group of players - the 2014 Orioles. Here is a collection of some of those quotes, a few that may have been published here before but several that have not. The...

Gonzalez, Joseph and Cruz comment after O's loss to Boston

Gonzalez, Joseph and Cruz comment after O's loss to Boston
Miguel Gonzalez didn't have a bad outing today, but for the first time since Aug. 2, he did not record a quality start. He gave up two solo homers and three runs over 5 2/3 innings as Boston beat the Orioles 3-2. "I thought it was better than last outing," Gonzalez said. "I felt good. Couple more days of rest. Everything looked good, just a couple of bad pitches, mistakes, and they were able to capitalize on that. "I'm a flyball pitcher and that is going to happen. Wasn't truly happy...

Game update and more notes and quotes (O's lose 3-2)

Game update and more notes and quotes (O's lose 3-2)
Mookie Betts led off today's game with a home run off Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead at Camden Yards. Gonzalez had surrendered just one home run in his last three starts. The Red Sox had three hits in the inning and Gonzalez threw 23 pitches, 17 for strikes. The choice of Nelson Cruz as Most Valuable Oriole naturally has sparked a debate among fans. It's good that the club had so many legitimate choices. Cruz leads the majors with 39 home runs and also has...

Nelson Cruz talks about his MVO award

Nelson Cruz talks about his MVO award
He got off to a fast start this season and now he is enjoying a strong finish. Today it culminated in Nelson Cruz being named the Most Valuable Oriole. Cruz is batting .269 with 32 doubles, 39 homers, 105 RBIs, a .527 slugging percentage and .862 OPS. "I have to thank my Lord for the help, and, you know, my teammates," Cruz said. "Without them this wouldn't be possible. Also to you guys (the press), you've been very kind. "I think the most important thing is where we are right now....

Notes on Markakis, Pearce, Cruz, the playoff rotation and more

Notes on Markakis, Pearce, Cruz, the playoff rotation and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he expects Nick Markakis and Steve Pearce to play in the four-game series in New York that starts Monday. Pearce won't be ready before Tuesday, though he wants to play. He needs an extra day after receiving a cortisone injection yesterday in his right elbow. Markakis tried to get into the lineup today, but his right shoulder remained sore while he swung in the cage. "He's getting better every day," Showalter said. Showalter said "it's hard to...

Cruz named MVO, Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Cruz named MVO, Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Nelson Cruz has been chosen Most Valuable Oriole by members of the media who cover the team. Adam Jones finished second and Zach Britton third. Cruz enters today's game leading the major leagues with 39 home runs, and he's surpassed the 100-RBI mark for the first time in his career. His 39 homers are the second-most by a first-year Oriole in club history, trailing only Frank Robinson's 49 in 1966. Cruz also became the sixth different Oriole to record a season of 35 or more home runs and...