Baltimore Orioles: Pile on the BoSox on Opening Day at Camden Yards

The Baltimore Orioles opened on the road, get a token three-game home series, and then back on the road. However they made the most of their home opener this afternoon against Boston at Camden Yards behind starter Cade Povich. Povich’s line: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K.

The O’s got RBI-singles from Tyler O’Neill and Ryan Mountcastle in the first inning, sending the hometown crowd into a frenzy. Ryan Mountcastle would add a two-run single, aided by a Boston error. And before you knew it, the home team led 4-0.

However Boston would battle back. And you expect nothing less. They put three on the board in the second and third, cutting the Orioles’ lead to 4-3. And there the game remained – for awhile.

Both sides danced out of trouble a few times along the way. The Orioles have left a small army on base thus far this year. That could be a problem. They also lost Colton Cowser for 6-8 weeks at a minimum before the game. He fractured his finger sliding into first base yesterday. Dylan Carlson replaced him on the roster.

With the AL East being so good, insurance runs are going to be a thing this year. You have to tack on runs late in a close game. And we saw it today.

Luckily for the O’s, that wasn’t a problem this afternoon. Heston Kjerstad’s RBI-single in the eighth extended the lead to 5-3. And here’s another thing; Jorge Mateo pinch ran, and promptly stole second. Following a Carlson walk, Cedric Mullins busted the game open with a two-RBI single.

Mateo’s speed is a game-changer. There’s a direct correlation with those two runs and Mateo’s speed. You can’t see it in the box score, but it made a difference.

Jackson Holliday added an RBI-single, and the O’s had all but won the game. Granted, Boston tacked on two against closer Felix Bautista in the ninth. Many might want to scrutinize that, however keep in mind that Bautista is still coming back from Tommy John’s. The fact that he got in today’s game is good for the O’s. Sure you’d rather a clean inning, but that will come.

End of the day, it’s a win. One game of 162. However…it was the home opener, the orange carpet, player introductions, fans out at bars all day leading up to the game, etc. It’s a holiday in Baltimore. It means just a bit more, and it goes as a win.

Baltimore Orioles fall in Toronto finale

Tomoyuki Sugano made his MLB debut today for the Baltimore Orioles in the series finale in Toronto. He had some struggles, which isn’t too surprising. It’s baseball, but not the style he’s used to. Sugano’s line: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 K.

Sugano left the game early with wrist cramps. He came out to pitch in the fifth, felt something in his hand, and abruptly left the game. Again, the Orioles termed it wrist cramps following his departure. That’s the word on the street – for now.

Ryan O’Hearn was on first in the first inning when Tyler O’Neil smacked a single. O’Hearn was able to go first to third, and he immediately scored on a wild pitch with Cedric Mullins at the plate. As I’ve said many times (including this season already), get people on base and things can happen.

Springer’s two-RBI single in the bottom of the first would give Toronto a 2-1 lead. And Toronto pitchers held the Orioles at bay for the rest of the game. They had Toronto starter Bassitt on the ropes a couple of times, but to no avail.

Toronto would tack on a solo homer by Heineman in the seventh to cruise to a 3-1 victory. The Birds put nine hits on the board, but could only muster one run. However they did split this series, which is the usual outcome in a four-game set. Especially in the division.

As today’s game got going the O’s announced that tomorrow’s home opener has been moved up 30 minutes due to incoming inclement weather. Needless to say, the forecast doesn’t look great. But the game is now scheduled for a 2:35 PM start.

After the game Brandon Hyde mentioned that on top of the Sugano injury, Colton Cowser injured his hand sliding into first trying to beat out a throw. Jordan Westburg was also available in an emergency today, but should be fine for tomorrow and onward. You have to hope that the injury parade isn’t beginning.

The O’s now head home for their home opener tomorrow against Boston at Camden Yards. Cade Povich gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Sean Newcomb. Game time is set for just after 2:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: The hit parade leads the Birds

Dean Kremer had to labor in his maiden start for the Baltimore Orioles in 2025. A pitcher is going to have ten good starts a year, ten bad, and ten in between. This one was in that latter category – but it was enough to win. Kremer’s line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 6 K.

The Birds led from the get go. Colton Cowser smacked a solo home run in the first at-bat of the ballgame. Jordan Westburg would follow suit later in the inning with one of his own. However Toronto would tie it in the bottom of the inning. They would take a 4-2 lead in the third on Giminez’s two-run homer.

However the O’s weren’t dead just yet. Gary Sanchez would bring them to within one with a sac fly-RBI in the fourth. However the Birds would eventually load the bases with Ramon Urias coming to the plate. And he didn’t disappoint- his bases-clearing double gave the Orioles the lead back at 6-4.

The Orioles would extend their lead in the fifth with an RBI-single by Cedric Mullins, Heston Kjerstad racked on a sac fly-RBI, and the Birds led 8-4. However Toronto would inch closer in the bottom of the inning with an RBI-groundout by Guerrero.

If the Orioles thought they were going to collapse in this game, Jordan Westburg reminded them that they were in the lead, his second homer of the game was a solo shot in the seventh, and served as an insurance run in the Birds’ 9-5 win.

On top of this, Toronto’s starter Scherzer (a future first ballot hall of famer), left the game early. This meaning that Toronto’s bullpen got taxted. To the point that they may have to make a roster move in anticipation of tomorrow’s game. That‘s huge.

The series concludes tomorrow at Rogers Centre. Tomoyuki Sugano gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Chris Bassitt. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: If it could go wrong, it did

Strange things always seem to happen when the Baltimore Orioles go to Toronto. Heck, yesterday the Birds embarrassed Toronto – but until late in the game it somehow felt like it was still within reach for the home team. Charlie Morton had a rough first start, but needless to say he was one of a couple of pitchers who struggled. Morton’s line: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

The O’s did have the lead in this game – early on. Jackson Holliday smacked a solo homer in the third, and Tyler O’Neil tacked on a sac fly-RBI in the fourth. Despite the fact that this was a tough game, O’Neil has been a great acquisition thus far. He homered yesterday and drove in a run tonight.

Morton flirted with danger the first three innings. However he always pitched out of it. He wasn’t so lucky in the fourth. He loaded the bases with nobody out – which is tough to pitch out of. He then walked in a run, and surrendered a sacrifice fly. At least the latter of those two yielded an out.

The Orioles proceeded to lift Morton in favor of Albert Suarez…who promptly uncorked a wild pitch, giving Toronto a 3-2 lead. He didn’t only uncork a wild pitch, but it was the first pitch he threw. That certainly wasn’t the intention, but it happened.

Guerrero would extend the lead with a sac fly-RBI, Toronto would get an additional run on a Santander single. That isn’t an RBI, as the run scored on a Jorge Mateo throwing error. Which was unfortunate, but again…if it could go wrong, it did,

And before the dust settled, the O’s suddenly trailed 5-2. Keep in mind, the AL East is the best division IN SPORTS. Sometimes you’re going to have games like this. Bichette would tack on an RBI-single in the sixth, and Clement a two-RBI double in the seventh. The Birds couldn’t muster much more offense, save for the bitter end…

…that being the ninth inning. And by that I mean that they put a couple of runners on base. They got the Toronto bullpen working. That means they’ll be a little bit more taxed tomorrow and Sunday. It’s something.

Again, games like this happen. So do games like yesterday. So you go on as the season turns. You put this behind you, and try to learn from it.

Toronto had just about everything to their way in this game. They also press the issue. NIG TIME. There’s nothing that’s too petty for that team to question or press. And sometimes that causes good things to happen, despite the fact that it makes them look somewhat petty.

The series continues tomorrow at Rogers Centre. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Max Scherzer. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Six homers later, a win on Opening Day

To be clear, the Baltimore Orioles didn’t need six homers to defeat Toronto this afternoon on Opening Day. But they got six homers, breaking an Opening Day franchise record. 12 runs and an outstanding effort by starter Zach Eflin later, and the Birds were in the WIN COLUMN on Opening Day. Eflin’s line: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

If you keep track of such things, that’s a quality start. To be clear, this is game one. There are 161 left to play. The season can still go either way. But this was a great start.

And the onslaught started early. Adley Rutschman smacked a solo home run in the first inning. Little did we know at that time that they were off to the races. One inning later, Cedric Mullins’ RBI-single extended it to 2-0.

But they were just getting warmed up. The Birds put two on in the third, and Tyler O’Neil showed us our first Earl Weaver special of the season with a three-run homer. That blew the game wide open.

But wait…there’s more. Cedric Mullins gave the O’s a solo shot in the fourth, sending it to 6-0. The lone Toronto highlight would come in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer by Gimenez. But Toronto wasn’t spoiling the Orioles’ party on this day. Not by a country mile.

The Birds stood pat for a couple of innings – retooling, if you will. Then Cedric Mullins came up with two on in the seventh. And he cranked the heat up even more with a three-run homer. An inning later in the eighth it was Adley Rutschman’s turn again – another two-run shot.

Jordan Westburg finished things off later in the inning with a solo shot, capping off the Birds’ 12-2 Opening Day victory. I’m not going to lie – that was a complete and total beat-down. And on Opening Day at that.

You aren’t going to see many games like that overall – much less the first game of the season. Toronto used to be a tough place to play for the O’s. And again to be clear, it still could be this year. All we know is that on this day it wasn’t. AND that the O’s set a franchise record for home runs on Opening Day.

The series continues tomorrow night at Rogers Centre. Charlie Morton gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Kevin Gausman. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Season Preview 2025

Today’s the day for the Baltimore Orioles; Ooening Day! North of the border and on the road to be sure, but it’s still Opening Day. The Birds will take on the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon and this weekend.

What does 2025 hold for the Birds? Tough to say. They and New York were light years ahead of the rest of the division last year. It’s fair to say that Boston and Toronto appear to be in better shape. Are the Orioles and New York in worse shape? Tough to say. At best they’re the same.

The key for the Orioles this year is pitching. Signing Kyle Gibson was a smart move. Also Charlie Morton. They provide a veteran presence. That is until the likes of Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, and maybe Tyler Wells are ready.

Don’t discount the bullpen. The Orioles are getting Félix Bautista back to start the year. Keep in mind all those blown saves last year – odds are that’s over and done.

Obviously the mystery burns as to when Gunnar Henderson comes back from the injured list. I suspect it’ll be sooner rather than later. If it’s a week, no blood no foul. Longer than that…tough to say.

Injuries haunted this team last year. So maybe it’s good that they’re getting them out of the way early. That’s the hope at least.

So what does the future hold after today for the 2025 Orioles? Ha! I’m no prophet. I’d put the chances of them being in the postseason at about 90%. Last year they had bad luck with injuries. If that repeats…needless to say it’ll play a role. But the Orioles will be a force in 2025. That much I’m confident to say.

Today, on Opening Day, the O’s take on Toronto at Rogers Centre. Zach Eflin gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Jose Berrios. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles rained out in DC

The Baltimore Orioles’ exhibition game at Nationals Park was rained out today. The teams sat through a rain delay of well over an hour before the announcement was made. It will not be made up. So the lasting impression of Spring Training 2025 was a 5-5 tie against Atlanta yesterday. Opening Day is Thursday in Toronto.

Baltimore Orioles: Grapefruit League finale with a hue of Cherry Blossoms

Cade Povich takes the mound this afternoon in the Florida Grapefruit League finale for the Baltimore Orioles. Today’s game was a late add to the schedule, but it isn’t even in Florida. It’s at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, against the Washington Nationals.

Of course starting next year, the two teams will begin an annual home-and-home exhibition series (one game in both parks) to conclude Spring Training. This game is a “standalone” in a sense – but it’s a no-brainer. You have two teams in the region; why not conclude the spring with a “no-stakes game” in a big league park?

It’s low-stakes for sure…but is it? The Battle of the Beltways is a series that plays out more in offices and around holiday tables than it does on the field. And that includes in my own family gatherings; I’m the grandson of a former catcher in the Washington Senators’ system. (I say that using contemporary nomenclature; back in those days what we know as the minor leagues was called “semi-pro.”) You’ll see a great mix of orange and red at Nationals Park if you watch or attend today’s game.

I’m not sure this series will ever be comparable to the Subway Series or Chicago’s Cross-Town Rivalry. However you can’t totally draw more of a parallel with something such as the Texas rivalry either. You have two cities that are both well defined and independent of one another. Yet they’re both cornerstones of the same mid-Atlantic region. This unlike New York or Chicago, where both teams are part of the same city.

Let’s start with the food aspect. Both cities love crabs, and I’m sorry…I take umbrage when people from other parts of the country say that they have decent crabs. Maryland Blue Crabs begin and end the discussion about crabs! That said, ever tried a Half-Smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl?! If you like frankfurters and chili (which I do), it’s a delicacy.

I suspect there’ll be a hearty crowd at today’s game. And it’ll be somewhat of a carnival-like atmosphere. But it’s still an exhibition game. I’ll actually be really interested to see how many innings Cade Povich goes today. Brandon Hyde has actually been shortening his starters the last few days. Does that trend continue, or does he play today’s game like a true dress rehearsal? Time will tell. Play ball!

Baltimore Orioles leave Florida with a tie

The Baltimore Orioles completed the Florida portion of their Grapefruit League schedule this afternoon in a fitting fashion for a game that doesn’t count: a tie. They say it’s like kissing your sister, but in this case you kind of say what are you going to do? Charlie Morton wasn’t in the game long, but he did get the start. Morton’s line: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 1 K.

I think most pitchers would take that in their final spring outing. So would most managers. Especially when the pitcher is 41 years old. If anything the Orioles have been shortening their starters going into this weekend, opting to get them some almost light work, and get them out.

Morton got an early lead when Ramon Urias smacked a two-run homer in the top of the second. However he surrendered it back in the bottom of the inning. Albies’ RBI-double got Atlanta on the board, followed by a two-RBI single by Kelenic. And Atlanta led 3-2.

The real start of the game for the Birds was Dean Kremer, who came in to pitch in relief. It wouldn’t shock me if Kremer is the third starter, and the Orioles are lining him up to pitch on Saturday in Toronto. While giving up two runs, Kremer pitched five innings. And was solid in the strike zone.

The Birds tied the game back up in the third on Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single. Two innings later they would take the lead when Tavian Josenberger reached on an error, scoring a run. Jackson Holliday would tack on a run-scoring single, and the O’s held a 5-3 lead.

However Atlanta would score two on Profar’s two-RBI double in the seventh. Neither side could muster a run past that point, ending the game in a 5-5 tie. And nobody batted an eye in the game ending at that point.

Before the game Brandon Hyde told the media that Gunnar Henderson would begin the season on the Injured List. He has to stay there for seven days, meaning he would be eligible to come off next Thursday. He could stay there longer, and but he’ll be evaluated at that time. However the Orioles are hoping he’ll be there for “days and not weeks.”

Hyde also said that Felix Bautista would break camp with the team. So he’ll be on the active roster on Thursday in Toronto. Which is what the Orioles have hoped for since he was injured at the tail end of 2023.

The Orioles will play one final exhibition game tomorrow against Washington at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Cade Povich gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Jake Irvin. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Meaningless game? No-No!

Zach Eflin was dominant in his final spring tuneup this afternoon against Pittsburgh in Bradenton for the Baltimore Orioles. Then again, so was every other Oriole pitcher. The story that matters is that the Birds’ de facto staff ace looked about as solid as one could look in a tuneup. But is that the real story of today’s game? No-no! Eflin’s line: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

What I found interesting is that Eflin only pitched three innings. And they were three quick and dominant innings at that. It isn’t as if Eflin reached his pitch limit.

It used to be that teams wanted their starters to pitch deeper in their final spring start. Now it seems teams are doing things almost like the NFL – where a starting pitcher pitches less in the final game. No reason to risk injury.

The first part of this game was all pitching. To be clear, the pitching across the entire game was pretty decent on both sides. But one team shined above the other all game long.

After Ramon Laureano was hit by a pitch to begin the seventh, the Orioles pinch-ran Enrique Bradfield Jr…who promptly stole second and third bases. Bradfield is fast. His speed got him to third base, this while Jackson Holiday walked himself. Bradfield would score on an RBI-single by Dylan Carlson. Livan Soto would add an RBI-single of his own later in the inning, and Vimael Machin would tack on an additional run while hitting into a double-play.

None of those runs scores if not for Bradfield’s speed. That wins you games. He also timed his steal attempts properly. Don’t underestimate that skill in regular season games.

The Birds would add an insurance run in the ninth on a sac fly-RBI by Griff O’Ferrall. However the real action came in the last of the ninth. You see, the Orioles hadn’t allowed a hit over the course of the ballgame. Granted six guys had pitched and more importantly it was a spring training game, but it was something.

Riley Cooper pitched the ninth for the Orioles, and sent Pittsburgh down 1-2-3. To be clear, a spring no-hitter means as much as a run-of-the-mill spring training victory. All it really means is that the entire pitching staff was really dialed in today. But it’s something.

The last time the franchise completed this feat in spring was 1951 – when they were the St. Louis Browns. In this case, seven pitchers combined to share the no-hitter – including Zach Eflin. Come next week, nobody will even care about it.

The Orioles conclude their Florida slate of games tomorrow against Atlanta at CoolToday Park. Charlie Morton gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Atlanta’s Spencer Strider. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.