Baltimore Orioles: Zach Eflin’s Friday night delight

The Baltimore Orioles traveled to Tampa this evening to take on the New York Yankees. Zach Eflin got the start n the penultimate road game on spring training. I say penultimate because they’ll technically play a road game on Monday afternoon in Washington, D.C. Eflin’s line: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

Simply put, this might have been the best pitched game of the spring for the O’s. Eflin was outstanding. And he shut down a formidable New York lineup. Heck, he allowed one base hit. And that was the sole base runner.

End of the day, nobody will remember this game. The stats aren’t recorded for review or anything along those lines. Heck many fans who attended will have forgotten about it by the time they get home! But I’ve always said that if you’re going to play these spring games, you’d may as well look good in them.

New York broke through on the scoreboard in the last of the eighth, with an RBI-single and two RBI-doubles. This of course well after Eflin and most of the starters had left the game. One starter who did close things out was Samuel Basallo, who smacked and RBI-single in the ninth to get the Orioles job the board. But that wasn’t enough, as the O’s fell 3-1 in Tampa.

Of concern, Dylan Beavers was in the original starting lineup, and was scratched just before game time. That’s definitely something to watch, and the last thing the O’s needed was someone getting hurt this late in camp. Depending on the extent of Beavers’ injury however, that could be an opening for a Heston Kjerstad type. But the hope is it isn’t serious.

The Orioles return home to Ed Smith Stadium tomorrow to welcome in Philadelphia in the final Florida game of the season. Levi Wells gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Philadelphia’s Ryan Cusick, Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Samuel Basallo’s big night

You know the Baltimore Orioles are getting close to the end of spring training when night games start getting sprinkled in. Trevor Rogers, the Orioles’ opening day starter next week, was highly effective in what we assume is his final start of the spring – against Pittsburgh at Ed Smith Stadium. Rogers’ line: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

Rogers was strong throughout his outing. The two surrendered runs scored towards the end of his time in the game. But it was Oriole bats, specifically ONE Oriole bat, which made the difference in the ballgame.

Samuel Basallo gave the Birds a 1-0 lead in the last of the first with a solo home run. One inning later it was Jhonkensy Noel’s turn – his a two-run homer. And the O’s held a 3-0 lead early.

However that first inning home run was only an appetizer. Following a third inning walk, Basallo came up to bat again in the last of the fourth. And he smacked another home run, this one a two-run shot, extending the Orioles’ lead to 5-0.

Pittsburgh would plate two in the fifth, which closed out the scoring in the Orioles’ 5-2 win. They also fell earlier in the day (split-squad day) in Tampa against New York. However Dean Kremer went four plus innings and looked good. However tonight’s game was the Birds’ penultimate game in Sarasota this year.

The O’s head (as a full-squad) to Tampa tomorrow to take on New York at Steinbrenner Field. Zach Eflin gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Luis Gil. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: The rains came

Remember last season when (among other things…) the Baltimore Orioles had rain delays galore? We got a taste of that this evening. Starter Zach Eflin was in a groove…then the skies opened.

Eflin had struck out four in a row before allowing a base hit in the third. This followed by the rain delay. However Tyler O’Neill had given the Orioles a 2-0 lead with a two-RBI single in the first inning. So as far as two innings plus games go, the O’s looked okay tonight.

Maybe it’s better. For tonight at least. This allows players, coaches, and fans to watch the US vs. the Dominican Republic in the WBC! Tonight’s game, for the record, will not be made up.

The Orioles stay in Sarasota tomorrow night as Boston rolls into Ed Smith Stadium. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Sonny Gray. Game time is set for just after 6 PM

Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman continues his hot spring

Baltimore Orioles’ Opening Day starter Trevor Rogers got the start this afternoon against Pittsburgh in Bradenton. It was Rogers’ first start since the team announced that he would be starting on Opening Day at Camden Yards. It would stand to reason that he’ll have at least one more start in the spring before the games count for real. Rogers’ line: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Rogers did throw a home run on the second pitch of the ballgame. Davis’ solo shot set the tone for the game in a sense. However it was also Davis’ first hit of the spring. Rogers was around the plate the entire game, save for in the second inning when he walked the bases loaded to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 2-0.

However following a Taylor Ward base hit to lead off the third, Adley Rutschman continued his strong Grapefruit League spring. His two-run homer immediately tied the game at two. The Orioles are going to need Rutschman to return to the levels at which he was playing until the middle of 2024 if they’re going anywhere this year. The way he’s looked in spring training thus far has been encouraging.

The Orioles also held a brief lead in this game. Dylan Beavers smacked a two-run homer, and for a brief moment the Orioles led 4-2. This in the sixth inning. Triolo’s RBI-single in the last of the frame cut the lead to one, but Adley Rutschman came up big again in the seventh with an RBI-single to bring the lead back to two at 5-3.

However Pittsburgh used two later innings homers to claw back. Ozuna’s three-run shot in the seventh gave them a 6-5 lead. Cook would add a two-run homer in the eighth to extend the lead to 8-5. The O’s did threaten in the ninth however. Colton Cowser knocked in an RBI-double, but the Orioles fell on this day in Bradenton, 8-6.

Rogers was solid, and Rutschman stood out. I also found it interesting that Cowser played the entire game. I’m not sure if that was done purposefully from the beginning, but one way or the other he played the entire game. Cowser as you’ll remember was out for much of the year last season, stemming from jamming his finger in Toronto in the fourth game of the year.

The Orioles return to Sarasota tomorrow for their first night game of the spring when New York comes to Ed Smith Stadium. Zach Eflin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Paul Blackburn. Game time is set for just after 6 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Too much replay?

Tyler Wells got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium against Toronto. Wells was one of several pitchers, only pitching one inning. Basically a get your work in and go home spring outing for Wells, against split-squad Toronto. Wells’ line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.

The Orioles struggled to get guys on base in this game, which is another issue. Especially given that Toronto was sending their B Team to Sarasota. Toronto’s Sanchez smacked an RBI-single in the third for the game’s lone run, and Toronto defeated the Orioles, 1-0.

That third inning was aided by two Toronto ball/strike replay challenges, and a pass ball, Early on the O’s didn’t challenge too many calls. But like Toronto, they were aggressive with challenges today. And there were several on both sides.

Obviously Toronto wouldn’t have scored that run if not for the challenges. But my question is are both teams and umpires now starting to rely on it too much? I say that because we see more and more challenges in the games.

I suspect that once the regular season begins teams will be a little more hesitant to challenge anything and everything. And to challenge pitches so early in games. And it’s far too simplistic to say the goal is to get the call right, and why not use technology to do it?

Fair enough. But are you comfortable with playoff games being decided with a tap on the helmet? Or heaven-forbid, a World Series?

I recognize the flip-side of that argument; are you okay with a World Series being decided on a bad call? So on that basis I’m not sure there’s a perfect answer. However teams are using the pitch challenge system early and often. We’ll see if that continues into the regular season.

Here’s another point. On a payoff pitch, conventional wisdom says a hitter should be aggressive – especially if the pitch is remotely near the strike zone. Might that change? Maybe it pays to start letting the pitch go, as they can just tap their helmet and potentially get the call overturned.

For the record, overall I like replay. I think it should exist in some form. I just think that by introducing the idea of challenging balls and strikes, we’re allowing the game to be further over-legislated.

Baltimore Orioles: Solid outing for Cade Povich in Birds’ win

The Baltimore Orioles gave Cade Povich the ball in this afternoon’s game against Minnesota at Ed Smith Stadium. He went deeper into the ballgame than even I thought he would pitch, being removed with two outs in the fourth. Povich’s line: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K.

The line run Povich surrendered was on an RBI-single by Wagaman in the first inning. That came as a result of a walk a stolen base, and a groundout. Remember, nothing good ever happens after a walk.

But that was the last time Povich had someone on base. He retired nine in a row following that run, and was lifted by manager Craig Albernaz with two outs recorded in the top of the fourth. Overall this was a great outing for Povich.

You can accept allowing a run in the first inning, unless you’re a perfectionist. But he shut down Minnesota bats after that. Small blip in the radar, and he then adjusted.

The game remained tied until the last of the sixth. Heston Kjerstad continued his outstanding spring with a two-run home run to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Kjerstad of course has struggled both in games and in terms of being injured for most of his career. So it’s good to see him raking this spring. Whether it lands him in the active roster remains to be seen.

One inning later however Minnesota tied it on an RBI-single by Outman. However it was another Oriole who’s had his struggles, who brought it home for the Birds. Different struggles, but still struggles. Coby Mayo’s RBI-double in the last of the seventh put the O’s in the lead, 3-2.

Grant Wolfram and Keegan Akin also had great outings today out of the bullpen. And remember, it’s all about looking crisp in these games. The O’s certainly did that.

The Orioles stay at Ed Smith Stadium tomorrow to welcome in AL East rival, Toronto. Tyler Wells gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Cody Ponce. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall to St. Louis

St. Louis came to Ed Smith Stadium this afternoon, with Chris Bassitt on the bump for the Baltimore Orioles. Bassitt of course was the Orioles’ big off season signing in pitching, and he had a semi-successful outing today in anticipation of the regular season. Bassitt’s line: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K.

The lone run that Bassitt surrendered actually crossed home plate after he exited. With runners at the corners in the top of the fourth, Walker grounded into an out, scoring the runner from third. The O’s would tie the game at one in the bottom of the inning on Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-single.

Two RBI-singles by St. Louis in the fifth gave them a 5-1 lead. Velazquez would smack a solo home run in the sixth to extend that to 4-1 all this off the Oriole bullpen, who’s expected to be without and injured Andrew Kittredge at the start of the regular season. St. Louis would tack on a ninth run in the ninth inning on a GIDP, and a tenth on a wild pitch.

St. Louis would also drive in two in the seventh on a two-run homer by Baez. The Orioles didn’t get much going in the way of offense today, but you have to keep in mind that it’s only spring training. There’s no game plan per se. But the Birds did tack one back on before it ended. Willy Vasquez’s RBI-double cut the final to 10-2.

The O’s have a split squad day tomorrow with most of the regulars taking on Minnesota at Ed Smith Stadium. Cade Povich gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Mick Abel. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Comeback win on Chris Bassitt’s debut

Chris Bassitt made his spring debut for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at Jet Blue Park in Ft. Myers as the Birds traveled to take on the BoSox. Not an awful first start, as Bassitt pitched into the third inning. Bassitt’s line: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Bassist gave up a double and then an RBI-single to Durbin in the first inning. He walked a runner in the third, who came around to score following Bassitt’s departure, on three-run homer by Contreras. Sandwhiches around that was a Heston Kjerstad RBI-double in the second.

Boston would load the bases later in the third, and Castro’s two-RBI single would extend the lead to 6-1. It appeared the rout was on on this Sunday at Fenway South. But the O’s chipped away.

With one out in the fifth Enrique Bradley Jr. bunted for a base hit, and Boston proceeded to commit a two-base error. Part of that was an errant throw in an attempt to get Bradley at first base. But after that it was Bradley’s speed in getting to third base. Bradley would score on Colton Cowser’s run-scoring groundout.

Following a walk and a double, Samuel Basallo would smack a ground rule two-RBI double, and the O’s had cut the Boston lead to 6-4. Heston Kjerstad’s subsequent RBI-single would cut it further to 6-5.

Boston would rack what they was almost an insurance run on in the fifth on an errant throw by Basallo in the fifth. But that’s awful early to add an “insurance run.” And true to form, the Orioles loaded the bases in the next inning and tied the game on back-to-back walks. Jud Fabian’s RBI-groundout later in the inning gave them an 8-7 lead.

The big story was Chris Bassitt’s outing. But don’t displace Heston Kjerstad’s game. He’s quietly having a very good camp. It’ll be interesting to see if he can play his way onto the roster. Needless to say, he could use a good break going his way.

Baltimore Orioles fall on late Atlanta power

If you noticed that Kyle Bradish pitched three innings for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon against Atlanta, you get a prize! Figuratively, that is. Point being, he pitched one additional inning than he did the first time out. Bradish’s line: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

Bradish sent Atlanta down 1-2-3 in the first, striking out the side. However he allowed two hits in the second, and an RBI-single by Tromp (former Oriole). Atlanta would proceed to put one more on the board in the second inning at Ed Smith Stadium on a subsequent RBI-so glue by English.

The issue in that inning seemed to be similar with what we saw with this team all season in 2025 (and previously). There wasn’t one hard-hit ball in that inning. The run-scoring hits were both flares, with English’s being just out of the reach of Pete Alonso at first base.

I chronicled this a lot last year – and before. It seemed to happen a decent amount. My personal opinion was that the Orioles played their outfield too deep, presumably for analytics reasons. Neither of those plays were affected by that element. However needless to say, Atlanta plated two runs in semi-cheap fashion – without hitting the ball hard.

Adley Rutschman had a great day at the plate. He made solid contact in the last of the second and stroked a double to center. He would later score on a sac fly-RBI by Coby Mayo (following a single by Ryan Mountcastle). Rutschman would come back up in the fourth and smack a solo homer to tie the game at two. Solid contact, both times.

The Orioles brought Yennier Cano into the game for the sixth. Following a base hit and the runner being sacrificed to second, Cano was called for a balk, sending the runner to third. Like most pitchers being called for a balk, Cano seemed unclear as to what he had done wrong. Replays were inconclusive – which again is often a staple of balk calls.

One way or the other that left the runner at third base with less than two outs. Tromp would come back to bat, and his RBI-groundout gave Atlanta their lead back at 3-2. Atlanta would cement their victory in today’s game with back-to-back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning. Not exactly how you want to finish the game, but it’s fair to point out that all three homers were on pitches up in the zone. As they say, if it’s high let it fly.

Atlanta would tack on an additional run on Lowdise’s RBI-double in the ninth. But speaking of if it’s high let it fly, the Birds did just that also. Vance Honeycutt smacked a two-run home run in the ninth to cut the lead to 7-4. Sam Huff came to the plate in the immediate aftermath and smacked a solo shot of his own, giving the O’s back-to-back homers. They fell on this day to Atlanta however, 7-5.

The takeaway today should be Bradish and Rutschman. Bradish may have surrendered two runs, but as I said they came off of softly hit balls – including the guys who came around to score. There’s nothing you can do about that. You can’t plan for it and you can’t really defend against it. At least in the infield.

Other than that, Bradish was strong. Rutschman had two solid contact at-bats. One was a double (and he later came around to score) and the other a home run. If you’re looking for bright spots, those are two big ones.

Manager Craig Albernaz told the media before the game that he expects Samuel Basallo to return to the lineup tomorrow in Ft. Myers against Boston. Basallo of course was injured in Thursday’s game. The Orioles took a wait and see approach, but luckily the worst seems to have been averted.

Tomorrow the Orioles head to Jet Blue Park in Ft. Myers to take on the Boston Red Sox. Chris Bassitt makes his spring debut and gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Ranger Suarez. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in Bradenton

Shane Baz took to the bump this afternoon for the Baltimore Orioles in Bradenton against Pittsburgh. Solid outing overall for Baz, who’s expected to be a part of the rotation. Baz’s line: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

You could do without the two walks. But the four strikeouts were promising. The Orioles are hoping that Baz solidifies the rotation, at least a bit more solid than it was last year.

The game was scoreless until the sixth when Bryan Ramos of the Orioles smacked an RBI-single to give the O’s a 1-0 lead. That run wasn’t in the form of Adley Rutschman, as he had subbed out. But it was a Rutschman walk which led to that run coming across.

However it was also walks which plagued the Orioles in that sixth inning. Wendzel’s RBI-single after two walks tied the game at one. Between challenges, stolen bases, and pushing the issue, Pittsburgh got very aggressive in the last of the seventh. They put two additional runs across, giving them a 3-1 lead.

But it didn’t end there. Pittsburgh extended its lead to 6-1 with station-to-station hitting, and tough running. I found it interesting that they challenged every call that they could – and it worked. They left no stone unturned. Which is how you win games.

The Orioles return to Ed Smith Stadium tomorrow to take on Atlanta. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Atlanta’s Spencer Strider. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.