O's game blog: It's Chen against Verlander in Game 2

O's game blog: It's Chen against Verlander in Game 2
Since the Orioles moved to Baltimore in 1954, their postseason winning percentage of .588 (50-35) ranks second in the majors behind only Miami at .667 (22-11). The Orioles look to add to that here this afternoon. According to ESPN Stats & Info, since 1995, 61 percent of teams that won Game 1 of a Division Series went on to win the series. And 12 of the last 14 Game 1 winners went on to advance. The last 13 teams to take a 2-0 lead went on to win the Division Series. After pitching well in...

Markakis on early game, first playoff experience and Orioles fans

Markakis on early game, first playoff experience and Orioles fans
The Orioles may not have the most speed in the majors, but they're used to fast turnarounds. They're back at Camden Yards this morning for a 12:07 p.m. start in Game 2 of the Division Series. Sleeping fast, as manager Buck Showalter advises, may have included a few players spending the night here. Showalter's been known through the years to crash in his office - he had a Murphy bed in Arizona - but he wouldn't admit whether it happened last night. Right fielder Nick Markakis figures...

Gonzalez will start Game 3, Joseph catching today

Gonzalez will start Game 3, Joseph catching today
Miguel Gonzalez is scheduled to start Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Sunday in Detroit. Gonzalez won't be in the bullpen today unless there's an emergency. Bud Norris is available in relief today and is expected to start Game 4 if necessary. As for today's lineup, the only change is Caleb Joseph behind the plate. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Alejandro De Aza LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Steve Pearce 1B J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 3B Caleb Joseph C Jonathan Schoop...

Tigers J.D. Martinez: "It's just one loss" (updated)

Tigers J.D. Martinez: "It's just one loss" (updated)
During his Game 2 American League Division Series pregame press conference at Camden Yards this morning, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he would not know if outfielder Rajai Davis would play today until after batting practice. Davis has been hampered since Saturday by a ligament sprain in the pelvic area. He played last night, going 1-for-3 but was pinch hit for in the ninth inning. Update: Davis is in the lineup for Game 2, batting ninth in center field. Ausmus talked about his team...

Jonathan Schoop talks about playing in his first playoff game

Jonathan Schoop talks about playing in his first playoff game
Well, the kid got off to a good start in the first major league playoff game of his life. Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop went 2-for-4 last night. He singled in the second inning in his first postseason at-bat and then added a two-run double in the eight-run eighth. Schoop ended the regular season batting just .109 (6-for-55) over his last 20 games with one homer and two RBIs. He'll take the hits but he loved the win. "I felt really good to get a few hits and to help the team win....

Third base not an issue for Orioles in Game 1

Third base not an issue for Orioles in Game 1
After committing seven errors at third base in their final 10 games of the regular season, the Orioles were flawless in the field yesterday in the opener of the American League Division Series. Try to figure out baseball. I dare you. Ryan Flaherty didn't burn his fingers on the hot corner. He made every play, including a clean grab of Torii Hunter's bouncer with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth. He also walked and collected an RBI single in an eight-run eighth inning. Flaherty...

Operation October: ALDS Game 1

Operation October: ALDS Game 1
*We'll be updating this entry all day, so keep scrolling and check back often! 2 p.m. - The calm before the storm It's finally here. In only a few short hours, Game 1 of the Division Series will be under way from Camden Yards. Here's a behind-the-scenes look of what's going on around the ballpark leading up to first pitch. Today is the day. #IBackTheBirds pic.twitter.com/hvkoTRTAib— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) October 2, 2014 RETWEET if you're digging the newest stadium...

Andrew Miller on playoff bullpen usage and other notes and quotes from the Game 1 win

Andrew Miller on playoff bullpen usage and other notes and quotes from the Game 1 win
The 1966 Orioles didn't do it. Neither did the great teams from 1969, '70 and '71. Or the 1983 World Series champs. None of them scored 12 runs in a playoff game. The Orioles' previous best was 11 runs four times before last night's 12-3 win over Detroit in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The last time the O's scored 11 runs was Oct. 7, 1983 in Game 3 at the White Sox in the AL Championship Series. That date is also notable for this reason: The Orioles won that game 11-1...

O's score eight in eighth to beat Tigers 12-3, turn ALDS Game 1 into rout

O's score eight in eighth to beat Tigers 12-3, turn ALDS Game 1 into rout
In the end it turned into a rout. Using a familiar formula that led them to 96 wins and a division championship, the Orioles beat the Tigers 12-3 tonight to take Game 1 of the American League Division Series. A frenzied crowd of 47,842 roared its approval at Camden Yards. The Orioles got a solid starting pitching performance from Chris Tillman, homers from Nelson Cruz and J.J. Hardy, a clutch hit from Nick Markakis and solid bullpen work in the victory. They also scored eight runs and...

O's game blog: It's Tillman against Scherzer in Game 1

O's game blog: It's Tillman against Scherzer in Game 1
The Orioles' long wait for the playoffs is finally over. They are hosting the Detroit Tigers today in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. These clubs have never met in the postseason. The Orioles won the AL East, going 96-66, including a mark of 50-31 at home. The Tigers won the AL Central, going 90-72, including a mark of 45-36 on the road. The O's pitchers have the task of trying to contain a Detroit offense that led the AL in batting average (.277), OBP (.331) and slugging...

Tillman makes it through the fifth with lead (O's win 12-3)

Tillman makes it through the fifth with lead (O's win 12-3)
We have a Kate Upton sighting at Camden Yards. I keep telling her not to bother me at work, but she won't listen. The struggle is real. Chris Tillman has made it through five innings tonight with his pitch count at 105. He retired 11 in a row following the back-to-back home runs by Victor and J.D. Martinez in the second inning before Andrew Romine singled with two outs in the fifth. Rajai Davis also singled and Ian Kinsler walked to load the bases, but Torii Hunter bounced into a force at...

Cruz with another home run tale against Tigers (O's lead 3-2)

Cruz with another home run tale against Tigers (O's lead 3-2)
The Orioles got sentimental today before Game 1 of the American League Division Series, arranging for injured third baseman Manny Machado to throw the ceremonial first pitch to injured catcher Matt Wieters. Soon after, Nelson Cruz got serious and put a hurting on the Tigers. Cruz hit a two-run homer on the first pitch thrown to him by Max Scherzer to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. The Tigers tied the score in the second on back-to-back home runs by Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez, raising...

Jimenez on being in bullpen for ALDS and Chen on making Game 2 start

Jimenez on being in bullpen for ALDS and Chen on making Game 2 start
The Orioles have finished batting practice and the Tigers are taking their turn in the cage. Ubaldo Jimenez stopped to sign a few autographs before ducking inside the clubhouse. A brutal season has taken a turn upward for him, capped by his inclusion on the Division Series roster. "I was wondering because I didn't know what was going to happen," he said. "I finished strong, but I didn't know. I realize that all of the guys have been doing their jobs, so it was a tough call, but I was...

Chen named Game 2 starter

Chen named Game 2 starter
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will start Friday afternoon in Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Camden Yards. Chen has allowed six earned runs in 11 innings over two career starts against the Tigers. Left-handers Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland, omitted from the Division Series roster, will be introduced tonight and sit in the bullpen. They will stay with the club throughout the series. "It was tough," Showalter said while...

Some notes from the Tigers pregame press conference

Some notes from the Tigers pregame press conference
Some notes and quotes from the Tigers' press conference earlier today with manager Brad Ausmus and Game 2 starter Justin Verlander. Ausmus talked about outfielder Rajai Davis, who has a sprained pelvic ligament that forced him out of Saturday's game against the Twins. He is starting today and batting ninth in center field. "We got here this morning at 8:30 and he got some treatment done," Ausmus said. "We took him outside and he did some agility drills. He looked fine and he said he felt...

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...

Caleb Joseph on late-season slump and his first playoff series, plus O's hot hitters

Caleb Joseph on late-season slump and his first playoff series, plus O's hot hitters
The Orioles have a couple of players that ended the 2014 regular season slumping. They will look to get their bats going in the American League Division Series against Detroit. Catcher Caleb Joseph ended the year going 0-for-30 over his last 10 games as his average dropped from .236 to .207. Joseph hit just .080 (4-for-50) in September with 18 strikeouts. He said he felt he did not wear down physically, but this is the longest he's ever played in a season. "The best part about the...

Opposite dugout: Tigers bring power arms, power bats into ALDS

Opposite dugout: Tigers bring power arms, power bats into ALDS
Manager: Brad Ausmus, first year Record: 90-72 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Miguel Cabrera (.313/.371/.524, 52 doubles, 25 HR, 109 RBIs, 101 R); DH Victor Martinez (.335/.409/.565, 33 doubles, 32 HR, 103 RBIs); RHP Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP); LHP David Price (15-12, 3.26 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 5-1, 33 runs scored, 20 runs allowed Pitching probables Game 1, Oct. 2: Max Scherzer vs. Chris Tillman, 5:30 p.m., TBS Game 2, Oct. 3: Justin Verlander vs. TBA, 12...

Zach Wilt: Who has advantage in ALDS matchup?

Zach Wilt: Who has advantage in ALDS matchup?
The first pitch of Orioles postseason is just hours away. For me, like just about everyone in Birdland, it can't come soon enough. Who else has had trouble sleeping this week? It feels like forever since the O's took the field, even longer since they were at Camden Yards. While the American League East champs have prepared for the Detroit Tigers to come to town, this nervous fan has spent days researching the Birds opponent from every possible angle. After reading thousands of words in...