Orioles lineup vs. Athletics
Orioles lineup vs. Athletics
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Left-hander Wade LeBlanc is making tonight's start against the Athletics at Camden Yards, his first in 2021 after five relief appearances. LeBlanc hasn't thrown more than 24 pitches or exceeded 1 1/3 innings since the Orioles broke camp. There's going to be some baton passing, perhaps in the rain. In 10 career appearances against the Athletics, LeBlanc has gone 3-1 with a 4.40 ERA and 1.234 WHIP in 47 innings. DJ Stewart is in right field again tonight and Austin Hays is starting in left....
Seeking offensive spark, Martinez trying out new look at top
Seeking offensive spark, Martinez trying out new look at top
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Few right now would envy Davey Martinez, whose challenge to fill out a nightly lineup card is about as daunting as it's been at any point in his four seasons as Nationals manager. Juan Soto is on the injured list. Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber are slumping. And Anthony Rendon is in Anaheim (albeit injured himself). So on the heels of a 6-0 loss to Jacob deGrom and the Mets - the Nats' fourth shutout loss in 17 games to begin the season - Martinez recognized he needed to try something different...
Game 18 lineups: Nats at Mets
Game 18 lineups: Nats at Mets
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals had no chance last night against Jacob deGrom. They can only hope to have a better opportunity for success today against Marcus Stroman. Stroman doesn't have nearly deGrom's track record, but he's been no less effective to begin the season. The right-hander, who opted out of the 2020 campaign, is 3-0 with an 0.90 ERA, having shut down the Phillies twice and the Rockies once. Unlike deGrom, Stroman is a pitch-to-contact guy. He has only 11 strikeouts in 20 innings to date. But...
With Soto out, Bell and Schwarber's slumps are magnified
With Soto out, Bell and Schwarber's slumps are magnified
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Josh Bell has been late on fastballs since the slugger made his delayed season debut nearly two weeks ago. He's been trying to catch up ever since, and Friday night's game in New York did nothing to help that process along. Facing Jacob deGrom and his 100 mph fastball all night, Bell had no chance. He saw a total of 11 pitches in three at-bats, nine of which were fastballs, seven of which he swung at. He made contact twice, fouling off one pitch and lofting a lazy fly ball to center field on...
On another tough night of offense, O's 'pen was good again
On another tough night of offense, O's 'pen was good again
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As the Orioles continue to struggle many nights on offense, there is frustration in that. But also frustration in how, with just a few more runs, they could have several more wins. Here are the scores of the last six O's losses dating to the first doubleheader with Seattle: 4-3, 4-2, 2-1, 1-0, 3-0 and 3-1. They have allowed just 17 runs in those six losses, which have come by 10 total runs. I told you it would be frustrating. But as the offense has been exactly that, the O's bullpen has been...
Because You Asked - Saturday Night Cleaver
Because You Asked - Saturday Night Cleaver
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If I've been negligent in sorting through my "mailbag," as I like to call it. That's because it was accidentally sent to the alternate blogging site in Bowie. Perhaps there was no need for a fifth mailbag with multiple off-days this week. I don't really know. But what's important here is that I'm ready to tackle more questions. Welcome to the latest sequel to this classic original. You ask 'em, I answer 'em and someone else asks again as if the subject is untapped. We laugh, we cry, we...
López labors early as Orioles lose 3-1 (updated)
López labors early as Orioles lose 3-1 (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The first time through the order became treacherous territory for Orioles starter Jorge López. As if he decided to go off script for the "Moneyball" sequel. Lopez hadn't allowed a run in three starts until turning over the lineup, but five of nine Oakland batters reached tonight and created an early deficit that the Orioles never made up in a 3-1 loss before an announced crowd of 7,574. Ramón Laureano led off the fifth by homering into the visiting bullpen, the final batter for...
O's couldn't maximize big scoring chance and lose series opener
O's couldn't maximize big scoring chance and lose series opener
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When a team is not hitting much and they get a golden chance to put up some runs, they probably need to pounce. The Orioles didn't tonight when presented a great chance as they lost the series opener to the Oakland A's at Camden Yards. The A's 3-1 win is their 12th in a row. Before this, the last club to win 12 in a row in the big leagues was Houston, from June 6-18, 2018. The Orioles (8-11) fall to 1-7 at home and to 1-9 when scoring three runs or less. When they get four or more they are...
Nationals helpless against brilliant deGrom (updated)
Nationals helpless against brilliant deGrom (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals know a thing or two about brilliant pitching performances. This is the franchise, after all, that has seen Max Scherzer throw two no-hitters and strike out 20 batters in another game, Stephen Strasburg strike out 14 in his major league debut and Jordan Zimmermann hold the Marlins hitless on the final day of the regular season. It takes a lot to impress these guys, and rightfully so. Tonight, though, might have done the trick. The Nats have never been no-hit since arriving in town...
O's game blog: O's host A's in homestand opener
O's game blog: O's host A's in homestand opener
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After a 3-2 road trip to Texas and Miami, the Orioles begin the second homestand of the season tonight. It's a seven-game homestand, which begins against Oakland and continues Monday when the New York Yankees come to town. Tonight, the Orioles (8-10) host the hottest team in the majors. Oakland (12-7) has won 11 in a row and is tied with Seattle for first in the American League West. The A's began the year 0-6, then split the next two games before their win streak started. Their 11...