O's game blog: Zach Eflin takes the mound in must-win scenario for O's
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Facing a win or go home, the season's over scenario, the Orioles host the Kansas City Royals today in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card round series at Oriole Park.  There were just 10 hits yesterday as Kansas City pushed across a sixth-inning run to beat the Orioles 1-0, who now have a nine-game postseason losing streak. Bobby Witt Jr. singl
Orioles maintaining confidence and routines in do-or-die Game 2
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde took a temperature check of his team this morning. He walked in the clubhouse and the weight room. No one seemed to be sweating yesterday’s loss that pushed them to the brink of elimination in the Wild Card round. “I think it's totally business as usual,” Hyde said. “I think guys are in great spirits and ready to get af
Orioles and Royals lineups for Game 2 of Wild Card
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If the Orioles reach the Division Series, Game 1 would be played Saturday at 6:38 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. Game 2 would be played Monday at 7:38 p.m. They need to get there first, and a loss today destroys that goal. Colton Cowser is the cleanup hitter this afternoon, Adley Rutschman is catching and Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter. Zach Eflin
Durable young starters led much improved pitching staff this season
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
If the Nationals want to point to only one clearly positive development from their just-completed season, the answer is simple: Improved pitching, especially in the rotation, especially from a group of young starters. MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker and DJ Herz may not have been dominant – though all exhibited moments of dominance along
Very few games are "must-win," but Orioles have one today
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After Orioles starting pitchers covered just eight innings in the 2023 American League Division Series versus Texas, O’s 2024 ace Corbin Burnes matched that innings total in one night. He was that good. But even giving up one run was too many on this night as the Orioles were held to five hits, went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and were
Eflin ready for Game 2 challenge with Orioles on brink of Wild Card elimination
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The long-assumed Orioles starter for today’s Game 2 of the Wild Card series became official last night. Manager Brandon Hyde, without a drum roll in the interview room, announced that Zach Eflin would pitch. The reasoning behind the delay might remain a secret. The outcome of Game 1 was cited as a reason. Did that imply that a win over the Royals m
A few quick takes as the Orioles lose Game 1 to Kansas City
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It was the pitcher’s duel that many expected. It was a game where one run was scored and today the visitors got it. The Orioles' playoff losing streak, dating to 2014, reached nine today as they lost 1-0 to Kansas City on Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI single in the top of the sixth. O’s starter Corbin Burnes, who allowed one run over eight innings plus, was
Orioles' bats can't support Burnes in 1-0 loss in Game 1 of Wild Card series (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Corbin Burnes threw his last warmup pitch, stepped off the mound, turned his back to home plate and settled into a crouch before his catcher could do it. With his head lowered, he chose a crowded venue to hold a private moment. Burnes finally stood, faced home plate and owned it again. This is why the Orioles traded for him. To start on Opening Day
O's game blog: The Wild Card round opener, Orioles versus Kansas City
Steve Melewski
Orioles
In the postseason in two straight years for the first time since 1996 and 1997, the Orioles host the Kansas City Royals today in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card round. It’s a best two-of-three series with the Orioles hosting two games and all three, if necessary. For what it’s worth, since the 12-team MLB playoff format started with the 202
O'Hearn: "We want to do something special together"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ryan O’Hearn is treating today like it’s the first game of the Wild Card round. He’s being literal. He denies any motivation to get back at the Royals, who drafted him in 2014 and kept him in the majors for five seasons before the cash considerations trade with the Orioles in January 2023. That’s his story, and he’s playfully sticking to it. “Obvio