Orioles and White Sox Game 1 lineups
Orioles and White Sox Game 1 lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ryan Mountcastle hit on the field today and is in the Game 1 lineup against the White Sox. Mountcastle, who bruised his left hand Tuesday on a hit by pitch, is the designated hitter. "He feels good enough to give it a try," manager Brandon Hyde said on his Zoom call. "Really encouraged by that, give him a lot of credit for understanding our situation and playing banged up. Shows me a lot about him and his character of trying to be a pro. He's still sore, but he's going to try." First...
Game 47 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers
Game 47 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Do you remember the last time the Nationals faced the Brewers? Yep, it was the 2019 National League wild card game. Quite a bit has happened since that memorable night, huh? Today, the Brewers make their first trip back to D.C. in 20 months. It's not completely a must-win situation like it was for the Nats that night, but they'd certainly like to get back on track after dropping two of three to the Reds earlier in the week. After Friday night's game was rained out, they'll attempt to play...
Nats stuck playing another day of seven-inning games
Nats stuck playing another day of seven-inning games
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
In their attempt to minimize the amount of time players and staffers spent around each other at the ballpark during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Major League Baseball for the first time reduced all doubleheader games to seven innings. It was unconventional, and many fans weren't big fans of it, but most agreed it was acceptable under the circumstances of that unprecedented season. When MLB decided to retain the seven-inning doubleheader games again this season, though, there was more...
Elias talks trade potential in radio interview
Elias talks trade potential in radio interview
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Leading up to the trade deadline last August, the Orioles were busy. They traded relievers Richard Bleier, Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro, and they dealt starter Tommy Milone to the Atlanta Braves. Those deals brought players like pitcher Kevin Smith, and infielders Tyler Nevin, Terrin Vavra and AJ Graffanino to this organization. The trade deadline is July 30 this year. How busy will the Orioles be? Are they going to deal some veterans, maybe some very popular players? Any untouchables? When...
Orioles see logic and challenges with short bench
Orioles see logic and challenges with short bench
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The idea of a 14-man pitching staff still makes sense during a season with heightened injury concerns. The increase in games and innings endangering the arms. The handling of workloads done with care. Carrying two Rule 5 picks on opening day solidified the logic. Hard to punch holes through it. The complication resides in the trainers' room. Keeping nine relievers on a 26-man roster allows for only a three-man bench and the Orioles have found themselves stripped down to the extra...
O's game blog: Matt Harvey faces Chicago (rainout tonight)
O's game blog: Matt Harvey faces Chicago (rainout tonight)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
With no wins in the last 11 days and just two in the last 22 days, the Orioles take the field in Chicago tonight. The Birds play the first-place White Sox after losing 5-1 last night in the opener of this four-game series. The Orioles (17-33) have lost 10 in a row, 14 of 15 and 17 of 19 games. They have also lost nine in a row on the road to fall to 11-15 away from Oriole Park. This is the 17th time in O's team history that they have had a losing streak of at least 10 games. The last time the...
Positive updates on Mancini, Mountcastle (game postponed)
Positive updates on Mancini, Mountcastle (game postponed)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde passed along good news this afternoon on Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle, who could be ready to play over the weekend while recovering from their respective injuries. Mancini left last night's game in the first inning after being hit on the right elbow by Dylan Cease's 95 mph fastball. X-rays and exams were negative and Mancini sustained only a bruise. "We dodged a bullet with Mancini," Hyde said in his Zoom call with the media. "He's feeling a lot better....
Orioles recall Nevin and option Waddell (updated)
Orioles recall Nevin and option Waddell (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have brought Triple-A Norfolk corner infielder Tyler Nevin to Chicago for tonight's game against the White Sox and he's expected to be placed on the active roster. The club is short on healthy first basemen with Ryan Mountcastle taking a 93 mph fastball off his left hand Tuesday and Trey Mancini being struck in the right elbow last night by a 95 mph fastball. Mountcastle has been day-to-day, deemed unavailable again last night after taking some swings in the cage. Pat Valaika...
Series opener postponed, Nats reach vaccination threshold
Series opener postponed, Nats reach vaccination threshold
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals are getting the night off. And then another shortened doubleheader Saturday. If the weather permits. Tonight's series opener against the Brewers was officially postponed, with sustained rain forecast for the entire evening and into Saturday. The two clubs, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, made the call about 3 1/2 hours before scheduled first pitch, opting not to wait it out and risk another lengthy delay like the Nats and Reds experienced Wednesday night before the...
Holmes on Valdez's adjustments and more
Holmes on Valdez's adjustments and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
To say the least, it's been a rough stretch for the Orioles pitching staff. They've allowed 77 runs during a 10-game losing streak. In May, as the club is 5-19, the staff ERA is 6.09. The Orioles now rank 14th in the American League with an ERA of 5.00, last in rotation ERA at 5.39 and 12th in bullpen ERA at 4.52. The team ERA was 3.91 in early May. Second year O's coach Darren Holmes, in his first year as assistant pitching coach to Chris Holt, is trying to keep his pitchers together and...