A look at Wade Miley's very brief start and more Manny Machado

A look at Wade Miley's very brief start and more Manny Machado
Baltimore fans who remember Wade Miley's lack of success as an Oriole probably thought he might not pitch deep into Game 5 of the National League Championship Series yesterday when his Milwaukee Brewers faced the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were right. Miley lasted one batter. He threw just five pitches as he walked Cody Bellinger. But he wasn't pulled due to ineffectiveness or an injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had loaded his lineup with right-handed hitters to face the left-handed Miley....

Former Orioles, ex-Nationals are heading to postseason in droves

Former Orioles, ex-Nationals are heading to postseason in droves
A year ago, there would have been no inkling that lefty Wade Miley could be a consequential pitcher in the 2018 postseason, not when you consider his league-leading 93 walks and 5.61 ERA last season for the Orioles. But as the postseason begins, Miley, 31, is one of a list of former Orioles and Nationals players with a chance to make the World Series, most of whom were on the rosters of the local nines at the start of 2018. Manny Machado bleeds Dodger blue and Zach Britton wears Yankees...

Taking the Orioles rotation for another spin

Taking the Orioles rotation for another spin
While the Orioles wait for starting pitchers to drop into their laps like acorns, the majority of fans think the team would be nuts to bring back anyone from last year's rotation who remains on the free agent market. This is an unscientific poll. I'm basing my observations on comments attached to the blog and appearing on my Twitter feed, and impromptu conversations in restaurants, grocery stores and gyms. Fans don't want to be reminded how the starters posted a 5.70 ERA, the worst in...

Because You Asked - "The Secret of the Ooze"

Because You Asked - "The Secret of the Ooze"
With a break in the awards shows - the Silver Sluggers are announced on Thursday and the Wilson Defensive Players of the Year on Friday - it's a convenient time to rummage through the ol' mailbag again and delve into the duplicates. You ask and I answer. Someone else asks and I answer again. And the dance continues until my feet swell. I skipped the ones asking, "Who exactly will the Orioles sign this winter?" I already feel pretty useless. Let's not crush my spirit completely. Otherwise,...

Thoughts on coaches returning in 2018

Thoughts on coaches returning in 2018
Left-hander Tanner Scott allowed one hit and struck out four batters last night over two scoreless innings in the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars Game. Ryan Mountcastle, batting third and playing third base, doubled and drove in a run. Meanwhile, the news that the Orioles were inviting back all of their coaches for the 2018 season drew mixed reactions on this blog and Twitter, which is exactly what should be expected. You can't get everyone on the same page. That would be boring - and a...

Seven Orioles officially hit free agency

Seven Orioles officially hit free agency
The conclusion of the World Series last night ignited the start of free agency, beginning with 149 players hitting the market earlier this afternoon. The list, made available by the Major League Baseball Players Association, includes Orioles pitchers Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jiménez and Jeremy Hellickson, designated hitter Pedro Álvarez, outfielders Seth Smith and Craig Gentry, and utility infielder Ryan Flaherty. Three more Orioles will join the group. Catcher Welington Castillo is expected...

Orioles can sit out the qualifying offer process

Orioles can sit out the qualifying offer process
The offseason can provide various doses of drama as important dates drop off the calendar. For the Orioles, the qualifying offer process should be duller than an insurance seminar. Teams must decide whether to extend the offer to its free agents within five days after the World Series. The Orioles should have 11 players on the market and none of them are expected to receive it. Only five players in the past five seasons have accepted the offer, including former Orioles catcher Matt Wieters in...

What's left for the Orioles among starter candidates?

What's left for the Orioles among starter candidates?
Orioles manager Buck Showalter provided one of the early light-hearted moments at Saturday morning's KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5K/1-mile walk at Camden Yards. And I'm not referring to his humorous reaction to my Wonder Woman costume, which both amused and disturbed him. Taking the microphone to offer his appreciation and encouragement to the crowd, Showalter said, "We're looking for good runners, good costumes and left-handed starting pitching." Two out of three ain't bad. The pitching will...

Cobb figures to be too costly for Orioles

Cobb figures to be too costly for Orioles
The Orioles must do more than tinker with their rotation. With the possible departures of four starters, it requires a complete overhaul before opening day. Ubaldo Jiménez, Chris Tillman and Jeremy Hellickson are pending free agents and Wade Miley could join them, with the Orioles expected to decline his $12 million option. Tillman could be re-signed at a significantly reduced rate, but other holes must be plugged. I've heard that Miley would like a return to the National League, where he...

Because You Asked - "The Cradle of Life"

Because You Asked - "The Cradle of Life"
I'm opening the offseason mailbag and sorting the questions according to how often they've been repeated to me. "A lot" goes in the pile to my left. "A heck of a lot" goes to my right. I can't get to all of them this morning, but it's a long offseason. There will be other days and more sequels. I'm running out of titles. All nominations are welcome. Just know that "Electric Boogaloo" is off the board. I used that one a few years ago. How can the Orioles improve their rotation if they...

Taking the rotation for another spin

Taking the rotation for another spin
While waiting to find out which playoff games are airing on Animal Planet and Cartoon Network ... We can spend the bulk of the winter talking about the Orioles rotation and how they can find upgrades without breaking the bank or trading away every prospect in the farm system. Spoiler alert: There are no easy answers. They really could use a proven ace who doesn't come with disclaimers such as, "Needs to take the next step." But can anyone reasonably expect them to get into a bidding war for...

Clearing payroll for pitching and more on Bancells' retirement

Clearing payroll for pitching and more on Bancells' retirement
The Orioles will head into the offseason with seven confirmed free agents, two players with 2018 team options in their contracts that likely will be turned into buyouts and a catcher who holds a player option. There's a significant amount of payroll that can be shed while the Orioles attempt to reload, as executive vice president Dan Duqeutte termed it before the final game. "We're going to have to go out and find some pitching," he said. "We do have a number of players that have played...

Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells retiring

Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells retiring
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette stressed again today that the club will "reload" over the winter and avoid a total rebuild after finishing below .500 for the first time since 2011. Duquette said the rotation must be rebuilt and he'll search for a left-handed starter, which seemed to indicate that the Orioles wouldn't pick up Wade Miley's $12 million option. However, Duquette didn't offer confirmation while meeting with the traveling beat...

O's game blog: Miguel Castro gets the start for the Orioles

O's game blog: Miguel Castro gets the start for the Orioles
The Orioles are certainly staggering to the end of the 2017 season. It is an end that will come tomorrow and may be about 24 hours away. The Orioles (75-85) play the Tampa Bay Rays (78-82) tonight in the second game of a three-game series. Three O's pitchers walked 10 batters last night and the Orioles had just four hits in a 7-0 loss to the Rays. Wade Miley took the loss, allowing four runs over four innings, to end his year at 8-15 with a 5.61 ERA. Over the last four games, O's starters...

The end is near: O's get shut out as current slide continues

The end is near: O's get shut out as current slide continues
Hey, at least Trey Mancini had a hit. He did indeed, extending the longest hitting streak ever by an Orioles rookie to 17 straight games. He's playing well to the end. He just hasn't had many teammates join him. The Orioles put up little resistance Friday night in a 7-0 loss to the Rays, as the end of their 2017 season drew closer. Just two games to go now with the team at 75-85. The Orioles began this year playing great baseball as they went 22-10. They are ending it playing terribly....

Coolbaugh on Santander: "I like what I see from him"

Coolbaugh on Santander: "I like what I see from him"
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander cooled off last night inside Tropicana Field, where it's always 72 degrees and able to withstand heavy rains like the kind that pummeled it for much of the game. Santander had five hits in his last eight at-bats, including three doubles, before going 0-for-4 in the Orioles' 7-0 loss to the Rays. The Orioles were held to four hits and suffered their 11th shutout of the season. Their 80 runs in September are the fewest in the majors. Manager...

Orioles walk toward their 17th loss in 21 games (with quotes)

Orioles walk toward their 17th loss in 21 games (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Through four innings of tonight's game against the Rays, Orioles left-hander Wade Miley had struck out six batters and also issued five walks. He kept missing bats and the strike zone. He kept playing good pitcher, bad pitcher, but in a solo act. Miley was making his final start in 2017 and quite possibly his last with the Orioles, who hold a $12 million option for next season. Are they ready to walk away from Miley? Evan Longoria led off the fifth with a home run, Logan...

O's game blog: The final series of the year begins

O's game blog: The final series of the year begins
The Orioles (75-84) begin their final series of the season at Tropicana Field tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays (77-82). The Rays begin the series in third place, two games ahead of the Orioles and Blue Jays. The Orioles would need a three-game sweep to finish ahead of Tampa Bay in the final standings. Before Thursday's off-day, the Orioles lost by scores of 10-1 and 5-3 at Pittsburgh. They have lost four of their last five and 16 of 20 games. The Orioles are 29-49 in road games and are...

September struggles and the final season series

September struggles and the final season series
The Orioles are down to their last three games of the season and it can't be said that they're stumbling to the finish. To stumble would require a semblance of footing. They've lost 16 of their last 20 games and are 7-18 this month. A nasty and abrupt reversal from their 17-11 August record that raised false hopes. This is more like crawling to the finish line and trying not to be trampled. The pitching staff has registered a 4.94 ERA this season that ranked 27th in the majors before last...

Gausman expected to start Sunday (and other notes)

Gausman expected to start Sunday (and other notes)
PITTSBURGH - So much for Kevin Gausman making his final start last night. Gausman is expected to pitch Sunday against the Rays at Tropicana Field to wrap up the 2017 season. He'd be working on regular rest after allowing six runs last night in four innings. "He'd like to pitch one more time," said manager Buck Showalter. "We'll see how we get through. That's one of the things we're contemplating." Gausman has equaled his 2016 innings total with 179 2/3. He's made 33 starts, three more...