Orioles and Blue Jays lineups (updated)
Orioles and Blue Jays lineups (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
José Iglesias is starting at shortstop tonight in Buffalo after serving as the designated hitter and homering in the last two games. Ramón Urías has moved to second base, with Hanser Alberto now the designated hitter. Urías hit his first career home run last night and is batting .381 (8-for-21) with two doubles, a homer and three RBIs in nine major league games. Austin Hays is leading off and playing left field. He's a career .296 hitter (50-for-169) in 52 September games, with...
At long last, Nats choose continuity in manager's office
At long last, Nats choose continuity in manager's office
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
For a decade and a half, the Nationals tried in vain to establish continuity in their manager's office. But every two or three years, they found themselves searching for a new leader, vacillating between those with significant experience (Frank Robinson, Jim Riggleman, Davey Johnson, Dusty Baker) and those who were trying to make a name for themselves (Manny Acta, Matt Williams, Davey Martinez). In Martinez, they finally found the man they believe deserves to be here for the long haul. And...
Nationals agree to terms with Dave Martinez
Nationals agree to terms with Dave Martinez
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals have agreed to a multi-year extension with Manager Dave Martinez. Martinez, 56, is in his third season as the Manager of the Washington Nationals after being named the seventh field manager in team history on Oct. 30, 2017. Through a steady, unwavering approach, consistent strategy and never-ending positivity and support for players, Martinez led the Washington Nationals on an improbable run to the 2019 World Series Championship. "Three years ago when we selected Davey...
Game 58 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Game 58 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals and the Mets are scheduled to play two seven-inning games today as part of a doubleheader, thanks to Friday's postponement. Max Scherzer will start the first game. Aníbal Sánchez, already scheduled to pitch Saturday, will start the nightcap. Jacob deGrom to start game 1 for the Mets, who at 26-31 have a 1.2 percent chance of making the postseason. Scherzer enters today's final start of 2020 with a 4-4 record. He has not finished under .500 since going 9-11 with the Arizona...
Kendrick weighing decision whether to return or retire
Kendrick weighing decision whether to return or retire
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
He hadn't revealed this publicly before, but Howie Kendrick admitted Friday he fully intended to retire after the 2020 season. After a well-deserved victory lap on the heels of his World Series-winning home run, what more could the 37-year-old have needed to do on a baseball field? The time would've been right to say goodbye to the sport, head home to Arizona and enjoy life with his family. That was the plan. Before the pandemic. Before the shortened season. And before a nagging hamstring...
Hyde's protocol props, plus notes on the MVO and more
Hyde's protocol props, plus notes on the MVO and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Entering this weekend, almost all the teams in Major League Baseball were on pace to be at 60 games played through the end of the regular season on Sunday. My take is this is a real accomplishment for MLB. The sport had many doubters leading up the start of the year. And as some teams had in-season COVID outbreaks, no one could take for granted that the season would be played to its conclusion. But it surely appears headed in that direction. Issues could still pop up along the way during the...
López ambushed early in Orioles' 10-5 loss (updated)
López ambushed early in Orioles' 10-5 loss (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
An abnormal 2020 season that began with serious doubts about its staying power naturally is ending for the Orioles in Buffalo. Because so little has felt right. So little has made actual sense. Manager Brandon Hyde joked again today about doing his Zoom conference call from "a tent." The ballpark's extreme makeover couldn't hide all the blemishes. Hyde also stressed again the importance of finishing strong. But here's where abnormal spins to back to uncomfortably normal. Randal Grichuk...
Iglesias hasn't got time for the pain
Iglesias hasn't got time for the pain
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde can read the statistics. He can stand in the dugout and watch the innings and at-bats. The stuff that's laid out for everybody. Sometimes, it's the little things that grab his attention. That don't directly impact a 13-1 win but stand out as much as the home runs and strikeouts. José Iglesias convinced Hyde that he could play Thursday night in Boston. He took batting practice again and lobbied for his inclusion in the lineup as the designated hitter. For a...
Mets-Nats postponed, will play doubleheader Saturday
Mets-Nats postponed, will play doubleheader Saturday
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals' scheduled game tonight against the Mets has been postponed due to rain that is forecast to fall throughout the evening and continue into Saturday morning. The two teams are now scheduled to play a doubleheader, each game lasting seven innings, on Saturday beginning at 3:05 p.m. The Mets remain mathematically alive for the final wild card berth in the National League, and though they could be eliminated later tonight based on the results of other games, Major League Baseball will...
Hyde on Sunday starter, Núñez, Hays leading off and Santander
Hyde on Sunday starter, Núñez, Hays leading off and Santander
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has confirmed today that left-hander Keegan Akin will close out the season with Sunday's start against the Blue Jays in Buffalo. Akin will be making his sixth major league start and eighth appearance. The bullpen also could be active on Sunday. "It's going to be Keegan Akin," Hyde said. "And maybe Johnny Wholestaff after." Left-hander John Means gets the start Saturday night. Hyde said Renato Núñez, out of the lineup again tonight with a sore knee, is a...