Fun (and not-so-fun) facts
Fun (and not-so-fun) facts
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are 3-18 in their last 21 road games and 27-64 on the road since the start of the 2009 season. The Orioles have scored more runs in Brian Matusz's three starts (19) than they have in the 10 combined starts of Jeremy Guthrie (seven runs in three starts), Kevin Millwood (eight runs in four starts) and David Hernandez (three runs in three starts). The Orioles enter the series with Boston with each of their three starters having a lower ERA than the Red Sox pitcher they are facing....
Tonight's lineups
Tonight's lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
For the Orioles: Lou Montanez LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Ty Wigginton 2B Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold DH Garrett Atkins 1B Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP For the Red Sox: Marco Scutaro SS JD Drew RF Dustin Pedroia 2B Kevin Youkilis 1B Victor Martinez C David Ortiz DH Adrian Beltre 3B Jeremy Hermida LF Josh Reddick CF Jon Lester LHP Guthrie has faced Matt Garza twice and Justin Duchscherer once in his first three starts, and he'll face Lester tonight and most...
Tejada returns and Lou stays at the top
Tejada returns and Lou stays at the top
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Dave Trembley was just on the Scott Garceau show on MASN and O's flagship station, 105.7 the Fan in Baltimore and said that Miguel Tejada will return to the lineup tonight after missing four games with a hip injury. Tejada last played last Saturday at Oakland when he went 3 for 3. He is batting .239-2-7 on the year. He is 3 for 11 on the road trip. Lou Montanez batted leadoff Wednesday night at Seattle and went 2 for 4. Trembley said he would bat leadoff tonight at Fenway Park. The...
When will some O's hit to their track record? (w/minors roster move)
When will some O's hit to their track record? (w/minors roster move)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Coming off a series where they scored four total runs, hit .184 as a team and went 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position, the Orioles begin a series at Fenway Park in Boston tonight. Maybe in a park famous for offense the Orioles will find some. Some fans have said of the O's offense that they are just this bad and no one should be surprised. I don't buy that for a second. While no one, me included, expected huge numbers from the offense, it would just be nice to see some of the...
Picking a spot for Nick
Picking a spot for Nick
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Most of Nick Markakis' at-bats this season have come in the third slot in the order, where he's hitting .260 (13-for-50) with three doubles, one triple, two RBIs and a .737 OPS. Markakis is 2-for-8 in the second slot, both hits being doubles. Looking at a larger sample size - his entire major league career - Markakis is batting .327 with a .955 OPS in 130 games as the No. 2 hitter, and .285 with an .812 OPS in 357 games as the No. 3 hitter. By the way, he's 5-for-9 with a home run as the...
How to wait out a rain delay
How to wait out a rain delay
Josh Land
Nationals
Last night, Jordan Zimmermann made his Major League debut and Joel Hanrahan recorded his first save of the season in front of just a few dedicated fans. If you were watching on MASN or listening to the radio, you probably saw a few dozen people gathered near the two dugouts. You may have been thinking, "those people are crazy." And, well, we probably were. But there is perhaps nothing better than winning a game after a long rain delay. The crowds clear out and everyone moves in close...
Ask Rizzo at Nats Park on Saturday
Ask Rizzo at Nats Park on Saturday
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals are offering a great opportunity for premium ticket holders to ask General Manager Mike Rizzo and the front office staff questions in a panel discussion for 30 minutes before Saturday home games. They are calling it the "Inside Pitch Live" Speaker Series. From the release: The Washington Nationals have launched "Inside Pitch Live," a new speaker series which will take place in the PNC Diamond Club before the start of all Saturday home games. Nationals General Manager Mike...
Jumper cables for a broken down offense
Jumper cables for a broken down offense
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Now that the Orioles understand the team with the worst record after 16 games doesn't get the first pick in the NFL draft, they can proceed with their three-game series in Boston. Don't get too excited. Brian Matusz doesn't pitch until tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out ways the Orioles can support manager Dave Trembley and find a solution "player personnel-wise" to their assortment of issues. The offense is spinning its tires in the mud. Who can give it a push? Focusing within the...
Surprisingly bad Red Sox stats
Surprisingly bad Red Sox stats
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When the Red Sox lost 3-0 to Texas on Thursday night, the Sox fell to 6-10 on the year and 2-5 on their current ten-game homestand. The Sox are off to their worst 16-game start since the 1996 team was 3-13. Here is an amazingly bad Red Sox stat. Their catchers have combined to throw out one runner all year in 37 attempts. That is not wrong, I checked it three times. Victor Martinez has thrown out just 1 of 26 base stealers and Jason Varitek is 0 for 11. (Matt Wieters has thrown out 5 of...
Tips for the weekend
Tips for the weekend
Josh Land
Nationals
Leave early: While taking the Metro to Thursday's game provided a nice discount on tickets, taking the Metro this weekend might take some extra time. Fans are encouraged to add at least 60 minutes to their travel time for all weekend games against the Dodgers. Metro will be conducting weekend track maintenance on the Green, Blue, Orange and Red Lines. That work will likely cause delays for fans trying to get to Nationals Park. Visit wmata.com to check delays and...