Baltimore Orioles: An evening in Westburg

Dean Kremer gritted out his first start of the season for the Baltimore Orioles tonight at Camden Yards against Kansas City. He did have some issues locating his pitches, and he fell behind. But he kept the O’s in the game, and managed to out the team in a spot to win. Kremer’s line: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

The Kremer runs surrendered came against big names. Witt smacked a solo homer in the top of the third. Later in the inning Perez smacked a two-run homer, and the O’s trailed 3-0.

But the Orioles battled back. Anthony Santander’s RBI-single in the fourth cut the lead to 3-1. And before you knew it, the game was tied later in the inning. Ryan Mountcastle’s two-run homer gave the Orioles three, tying the game.

The Birds put themselves in a spot to win late. Gunnar Henderson was at third base with two down in the eighth, and Ryan Mountcastle sent a sharp grounder into the hole at short. The ball was bobbled on the throw back to first base, and Mountcastle was safe. As was Henderson at home plate.

The Orioles brought Craig Kimbrel out of the bullpen for the first time to close out the game. Blanco got on base with a softly hit bloop single. He advanced to second and later third (by way of a steal), and with one out he scored on Garcia’s sacrifice fly-RBI. It goes as a blown save by Kimbrel, but not on anything hard hit.

Ultimately however, Kimbrel gets a win. Not a save, but a win. Cedric Mullins got on base with a single in the last of the ninth, and he later scored on Jordan Westburg’s walk off two-run homer.

End of the day, this might be a game we look back on. The Orioles are clearly a better team than Kansas City. Yet Kansas City took them to the brink. So perhaps you look at this game as a tool in overcoming adversity. They got punched in the mouth a bit in a sense. But they landed the final punch. And in the grand scheme of things, that‘s what matters the most.

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Cole Irvin gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Kansas City’s Alex Marsh. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: First loss and musings about the pitch clock

The Baltimore Orioles were never going to win every game. And today was their first loss, despite a decent effort from starter Tyler Wells. After two big games at the plate, Oriole bats were largely held quiet today. Wells’ line: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 earned), 0 BB, 7 K.

After giving up a couple of runs early, Wells kept the O’s in the game. Their bats just couldn’t step up today. And that does happen – you’ll take winning two-of-three over anyone.

Wells gave up a solo homer to Ward in the first inning. As poor as Anaheim looked in this series, Ward was definitely a leader. Neto would add a two-RBI single in the second, and a fourth run would score on a throwing error by James McCann on a pickoff attempt at third base. And the Birds trailed, 4-0.

But the O’s would get on the board in the last of that second inning when Gunnar Henderson would draw a bases loaded walk. However, that was the lone run the O’s would tack on. Both teams’ pitching staffs shut down the other, and Anaheim took the series finale, 4-1.

The O’s did lightly threaten in the last of the seventh. James McCann got aboard with a one out single, followed by new Oriole Tony Kemp who was acquired just before Opening Day. Kemp drew a walk, however the inning ended before the Birds could further threaten.

The story is in HOW Kemp drew the walk. With a three ball count, Anaheim pitcher Detmers was called for a pitch clock violation, resulting in a ball being awarded. And that happened to be ball four.

Manager Ron Washington came out and had a fairly “spirited” conversation with Detmers and the infield. That’s an unforced error that could really cost a team in a game. The Orioles couldn’t take advantage, but that’s beside the point.

Wherever you stand on some of the newer pace of play rules, it would be interesting to see how things would play out if they ever decided a big game. Maybe I’m thinking of a playoff game or a late season game. But you get the point – would the league be okay with a key run scoring and deciding a huge game over something like that?

The O’s will welcome Kansas City in tomorrow for the first of three at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Kansas City’s Michael Wacha. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Straight gas

Grayson Rodriguez was outstanding in his 2024 regular season debut for the Baltimore Orioles. He painted the corners and mowed down Anaheim hitters all afternoon. Anaheim hitters who watched and waved aimlessly all game. Rodriguez’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K.

Rodriguez was still going strong after six innings. But you don’t want to push too hard early in the season. Especially in his first start. Keep some gas in the tank.

Luckily for Rodriguez, his effort wasn’t wasted. Oriole bats got out in front of things early on. Gunnar Henderson smacked a solo homer, and Ryan Mountcastle and RBI-double. This in the first inning. And the Birds were off to the races.

Ryan Mountcastle’s next at-bat came in the last of the third. And it ended similarly, with an RBI-double, extending the lead to 3-0. Anaheim would get on the board an inning later with a solo homer by Ward. However you can afford one bad pitch if you’re Grayson Rodriguez. This team epitomizes the concept of TEAM. They picked him up, and moved on.

And move on they did. The O’s put runners at the corners in the sixth, and Austin Hays extended the lead with an RBI-single. He would immediately be plated by an RBI-double by Cedric Mullins, extending the lead to 5-1.

That all occurred before anyone was out in the sixth inning. So did what came next, that being a two-RBI single by Jordan Westburg. That extended the lead to 7-1, blowing the game wide open.

But the Orioles weren’t done. Gunnar Henderson added a two-RBI triple, and the O’s led 9-1. But wait…there’s more. Anthony Santander closed the inning out with a three-run home run. And then…the Birds recorded the first out of the inning.

Good teams have innings like that. And the Orioles are a good team. That goes without saying.

The Orioles would tack on a late run in the eighth, on a sac fly-RBI by Ryan Mountcastle. Anaheim would also put three across in the ninth, and the Orioles took the game 13-4. The lone sour note for the O’s came when reliever Cionel Perez. Had to leave the game in the ninth. He called for the trainer in the ninth and swiftly was pulled by Brandon Hyde. His injury and/or status is unclear.

The series concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Tyler Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Reid Detmers. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Back at it

The Baltimore Orioles will play game two of 162 late this afternoon against Anaheim. It can be a tough thing coming back from an emotional game like what we saw Thursday. There was very much a vibe around the park and the team that things were different. And as I said previously, the city really needed that at that moment. And still.

Luckily, the league gives you a day off after Opening Day. It’s really more of a rain date, but you get the point. After a day like Thursday, it helps the players and coaches resettle themselves. Or re-center, perhaps. Ultimately I think it’s helpful no matter how you spin it. It’s also a longish day with no baseball.

Again, the series with Anaheim continues today at Camden Yards. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Griggin Canning. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles 2024 season preview

Baltimore Orioles’ Opening Day has arrived. This afternoon we’re going to play one of the most awaited games in the last six months, with the O’s opening the regular season against the Los Angeles Angels. What will the 2024 season be? We’ll find out – starting today.

The Birds of course are the defending AL East Champions. And their goal for 2024 for starters should be to repeat as division champions. Meaning their attitude HAS to be hey last year was last year and it’s over. BUT…if you want to win the AL East this year, you have to come and get that pennant from us.

And that race for the division pennant begins in earnest today. Despite injuries to John Means and Kyle Bradish to start the season, Orioles’ pitching is expected to be strong. Of course anchored by today’s starter, Corbin Burnes. And backed up by the Orioles’ bullpen.

But it’s the skill and heart of Oriole bats that led them last season. And that’s expected to be the case again. Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander and others are all aiming for similar seasons as in 2023. Not to mention 2023 Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson, and the defending AL Manager of the Year, Brandon Hyde.

The Orioles learned to fly high in the sky in 2023. That was a season which is a tough act to follow. However the 2024 Orioles will find themselves up to the task. It’s the same core group, but with more experience under their belt.

So how does this season end? Nobody knows. I predict that the Orioles will repeat as champions of the AL East in 2024. Beyond that? Maybe get yourselves out and get some cold weather gear. October in Baltimore can at times be nippy. Get your popcorn ready.

The season-opening series against Anaheim opens this afternoon at Camden Yards. (Also known as Opening Day.) The aforementioned Corbin Burnes gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Patrick Sandoval. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Grand opening

The Baltimore Orioles picked up right where they left off in the regular season last year with today’s Opening Day game. And you have to figure, this has been a week for the ages in Baltimore between new owner David Rubenstein taking over, the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and now Opening Day behind starter Corbin Burnes. And what a start it was. Burnes’ line: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 11 K.

Ironically the O’s at first made everyone wait before pouncing. Trout smacked a solo homer in the first inning. That quieted the buzz in the crowd, but not for long. The Birds loaded the bases in the last of the first, and they tied the game on a fielder’s choice-RBI by Anthony Santander. They then took the lead on Jordan Westburg’s RBI-single.

And the game could have ended there and it would have been the same result. But the O’s appeared on a mission today, perhaps trying to prove their early exit from the postseason last year meant nothing. You also have to feel good for Jordan Westburg, who was on his first Opening Day roster today. And he made an impact in the ballgame.

Adley Rutschman smacked a two-RBI single in the second, and the rout was on. Santander added a sac fly-RBI, chasing Anaheim starter Sandoval. In the second inning. With the O’s leading 5-1. Tack on a two-run homer by Anthony Santander, and the Birds led 7-1.

Tack on a sac fly-RBI by Ryan Mountcastle in the sixth, and the score pushed to 8-1. Cedric Mullins added his own homer, this of the three-run variety in the seventh – and it was 11-1. Anaheim would tack on two in the eighth as a result of a throwing error, but the Birds went home 11-3 winners on Opening Day.

Ironically, you could argue that Corbin Burnes was the unsung hero today. Take a look at that stat line. After giving up the early home run, he mowed ‘em down. He struck out eleven and walked none.

Needless to say, there are 161 games to go. This is only one of 162. But they all count. Make no mistake, there are some days coming where the O’s will struggle. But you have to like how things got started.

I want to highlight how much the city needed this game to go the way it did today. Baltimore awoke two days ago to news reports of its truly iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge having fallen. However out of those ruins came great stories of first responders who cleared the bridge, saving lives. And then the Orioles, equally iconic, show up for their city today. That’s Baltimore folks. And you have to love it.

May we always remember those who were killed in the collapse of the Key Bridge, and their families.

Baltimore Orioles: Best spring in franchise history

Grayson Rodriguez had a great outing this afternoon in Ft. Myers, as the Baltimore Orioles completed the best spring training in franchise history. Perhaps it’s a hollow fact, as wins and losses mean nothing in the spring. But it’s a fact none the less; the Birds finished with 23 wins this Grapefruit League season, the last of which came today. Rodriguez’s line: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Gunnar Henderson got the Orioles on the board early with a solo homer in the first inning. One inning later Ramon Urias’ sac fly-RBI would extend the lead to 2-0. Minnesota would the the score at two with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but that was the biggest threat the Orioles saw today.

Ryan O’Hearn would smack an RBI-double in the sixth to give the Birds the lead back at 3-2. Interestingly enough, the O’s started Janes McCann behind the plate today, and he was subbed out halfway through for Adley Rutschman. And it was Rutschman who delivered the big blast.

His three-run homer in the seventh inning blew the game wide open, giving the O’s a 6-3 lead. One inning later Jordan Westburg added a two-RBI single. Minnesota would tack one on in the last of the ninth, but the Orioles closed out an 8-3 win on the final day of Grapefruit League play.

Again, for what it’s worth the O’s had the best spring of their existence. It’s a nice stat, but it’s meaningless. What counts are the next 162 games – and onwards. But needless to say, the Orioles had a successful camp, and are set up nicely for the regular season.

Baltimore Orioles drop a pitcher’s duel in Ft. Myers

Albert Suarez got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this evening in Ft. Myers, Fl against Boston. Suarez has been one of many strong points for the Birds this spring, and him getting a start this late in the Grapefruit League season makes one wonder if he’s not under serious consideration for a roster spot. More realistically, he’s probably slated for triple-A as roster depth. But I digress. Suarez’s line: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Boston took a 1-0 lead in the last of the second on an RBI-single by Abreu. However whether or not that run should have scored is another story. Rafaela had smacked a two-out double, sliding into second on a close play. It was a close call for sure, but the call was safe, with no shot at replay in the spring.

MASN analyst Dave Johnson made a really great point. Orioles’ second baseman Kolton Wong appeared to apply the tag, and then feinted like he was going to tag the runner after the fact. The throw beat the runner, who may well have been out. But in feinting like he was going to tag the runner, he inadvertently told the umpire that he hadn’t tagged the runner the first time. Which could have played into the runner being called safe.

It was a bang-bang play either way. However that’s the sort of thing that could cost you a game in the regular season. Honestly, my personal opinion was that the runner was out. But in a regular season game, would there have been enough evidence to overturn the call on the field? Probably not. It’s little things like that which can make a difference.

The Orioles advanced Michael Perez into scoring position in the sixth, and he would score on an errant pickoff attempt. An inning later the Birds would take a short-lived 2-1 lead on an RBI-double by Ryan McKenna. However Boston would put two across in the last of the seventh, giving them a 3-2 win over the O’s this evening.

The Orioles return to Sarasota tomorrow night to take on Pittsburgh at Ed Smith Stadium. Corbin Burnes gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones. Game time is set for just after 6 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: The runs kept on coming in

Dean Kremer had a couple of tough innings in terms of pitch count for the Baltimore Orioles against Philadelphia this evening in Sarasota. This by pitch count standards. While his numbers were good, he didn’t pitch as deep into the game as the O’s probably wanted. Kremer’s line: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

However Oriole bats picked up the slack. Anthony Santander gave the O’s a 3-0 lead in the last of the first inning with a three-run homer. Ryan O’Hearn followed with a solo shot, and Jorge Mateo’s RBI-single extended the lead to 5-0. This in the first inning.

And it didn’t end there. Gunnar Henderson smacked a two-run homer in the second, extending the lead to 7-0. And folks, that one was a SHOT. Needless to say, Gunnar’s ready for Opening Day.

Philadelphia would get on the board in the third on an RBI-triple by Marsh. Philadelphia would put three additional runs on the board in the sixth and seventh, cutting the lead to 7-4. Yennier Cano surrendered two of those runs, providing maybe one thing to watch – is the bullpen slightly shaky? Personally I say no. But Cano and others had some issues locating their pitches in those middle innings. Time will tell.

But again, the O’s didn’t let that phase them. Jorge Mateo smacked an RBI-double in the last of the seventh, followed by Colton Cowser pushing a run across on a botched fielder’s choice by Philadelphia. When the smoke cleared, the O’s had run the score to 13-4. This included an RBI-single by Heston Kjerstad in the seventh, along with a two-RBI double by Tyler Nevin.

The fact that the O’s kept tacking runs on is a promising sign. Because come the regular season, the opponents won’t be rotating guys in and out, and focusing more on getting their work in than winning the game. So keep adding on runs come the regular season like they did tonight, and they’ll be in good shape.

The O’s travel to JetBlue Park in Ft. Myers tomorrow night to take on Boston. Albert Suarez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Cooper Criswell. Game time is set for just after 6 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: All “Rhodes” lead to Opening Day

Tyler Wells took to the mound in the final Sunday afternoon game at Ed Smith Stadium this spring for the Baltimore Orioles, this against Atlanta. The fact that’s even “a thing” might be a bit of a reach, but work with me. Wells looked good today, as we enter the last week of Grapefruit League play. Wells’ line: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K.

Wells gave up a solo homer in the top of the first inning to Austin Riley, which was his only hiccup on the afternoon. But Wells kept Atlanta scoreless for the rest of his outing. They would tack on what they thought was an insurance run in the seventh on Evans’ RBI-single, extending their lead to 2-0.

However last year, this was a team that did its best work after the seventh inning. And today, albeit an exhibition game, proved to be no exception. Reserve outfielder John Rhodes immediately tied the game with a two-run homer in the seventh. One inning later the Birds would bat around, and blow the top off the ballgame. Gunnar Henderson’s eighth inning RBI-double gave the O’s a 3-2 lead.

But in showing something else in common with last year’s team, the 2024 Orioles weren’t going to just assume the lead was safe. Michael Perez would smack a two-RBI double later in the inning to extend the lead to 5-2. But they still didn’t take their foot off the gas.

Rhodes would come up to bat again in that eighth inning, smacking another two-run homer Coby Mayo would add an RBI-double running the final to 9-2. You could argue that things got out of hand in a sense. But good teams win games like that. And the Orioles are going to be a good team.

The Birds are off tomorrow, their final off day of the spring. They’ll head to Dunedin on Tuesday to take on Toronto.