Baltimore Orioles: ALDS game one

It’s going to feel like Baltimore Orioles’ Opening Day this afternoon. The city will take on that carnival-like atmosphere for sure. Bars will be open early, and bunting will be on the B & O Warehouse. The entire city will be decked out in orange and black.

And in a way perhaps it is “opening day” – or AN opening day, at least. It’s opening day of the postseason. This afternoon the O’s will play game one of the American League Championship Series against Texas at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

We know the stakes and the situation. And we know what the Orioles have to do. One small question is will they be rusty after the nearly week-long hiatus? However in fairness, Texas hasn’t played since Wednesday themselves. Withstanding the all-star break, anything more than one day off is foreign to big league teams.

I wrote this yesterday, but the key for the O’s is to get into Texas’ bullpen. And again, you have to manage postseason games differently than regular season games. So if they can force Texas to go to the ‘pen early, they should be in decent shape.

Rock and Roll pop star Joan Jett will sing the National Anthem before today’s game. Former Oriole Adam Jones will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. A celebrity Oriole fan (who just happens to “love Rock ‘N Roll”), and a beloved former Oriole. Yes, Baltimore’s going all out to display itself on a national stage.

The ALDS begins this afternoon at Camden Yards. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Andrew Heaney. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles riding with Kyle Bradish

The Baltimore Orioles announced today that z Kyle Bradish would start game one of the ALDS tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. Grayson Rodriguez will start game two, late Sunday afternoon. As of the publishing of this article, Texas is yet to announce their starters.

Keep in mind, we’re now in the postseason. While these games aren’t elimination games per se, you obviously don’t want to fall behind early. So here’s a reminder; Bradish and Rodriguez are only the STARTING pitchers.

You have to manage postseason games differently than regular season. If a starter gives up a couple of runs, he may be hitting the showers. And one key to this series for the Orioles is going to be their bullpen. We know it’s one of the best in baseball. Another key will be their ability to score runs late in games. They do their best work late – we’ve said it all year. So that said, strap in. Starting tomorrow.

Baltimore Orioles: Was the AL East overrated?

The Baltimore Orioles had the best record in the American League in 2023. Obviously they won the American League East, which I (along with many other people) said was the best division in baseball in 2023. And honestly, I think it was the best division in sports.

But…was is? Is it? The records say that it is – from top to bottom. However while the Orioles are yet to play a game, Toronto and Tampa not only lost their Wild Card series’, but they were swept. And they looked inept in being swept. Does that invalidate the division a bit?

My answer would be no. Because you never know how a team’s going to matchup against another one. The competition in the American League East was fiercer than fierce this season. The Orioles had to go to 100 wins to take the division, whereas Minnesota had wrapped up the central by circa 83 wins.

It’s unfair to say that the division wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be, but it’s interesting to note that both teams (Tampa and Toronto) looked very inept against their respective competition. Needless to say, it now falls on the Orioles to represent the best division in sports in the right way.

Baltimore Orioles: ALDS vs. Texas is set

The Baltimore Orioles will take on the Texas Rangers starting Saturday in the American League Divisional Series. Texas of course finished off Tampa this afternoon at Tropicana Field, to advance to play the Orioles. Games one and two will be Saturday and Sunday at Camden Yards. Game three is Tuesday in Texas, as is game four on Wednesday (if necessary). If it were to go five games, game five would be next Friday at Camden Yards.

MLB announced today that game one will be at 1 PM on Saturday. The start times for the other games have not been announced. For what it’s worth, the O’s took two-of-three from Texas in the second series of the season in Arlington. However Texas took two-of-three from the Birds at Camden Yards in May. So they split the season series.

And they haven’t faced one another since Memorial Day weekend. Which makes for an interesting series. Texas of course is managed by future Hall-of-Fane manager, Bruce Bochy. And of course the O’s by Manager of the Year favorite, Brandon Hyde. However Hyde will be managing in his first ever postseason game on Saturday.

At this point, you don’t look at who’s a better or easier opponent. Anyone who’s made it to this point is good. Tampa would have been the same degree of difficulty in terms of an opponent as is Texas. And on the flip side, while Texas would rather this than going home, they probably aren’t too thrilled about facing the Orioles. Needless to say, strap in for the ride!

Baltimore Orioles: 101 wins later…

Kyle Bradish got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon in game 162 against Boston. Manager Brandon Hyde managed the game like an exhibition game. He cleared the bench and the bullpen today, with Bradish being used sparingly. Bradish’s line: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

Boston plated two runs on two separate errors in the third. They put two more across in the seventh on a fielding error by Gunnar Henderson, who had an uncharacteristically bad day in the field. But if you’re going to have one of those, a meaningless game 162 is a good time to do it!

RBI-singles by Story and Abreu would extend the lead to 6-0 later in the seventh. Adley Rutschman would at least ensure that the Birds didn’t get shut out on this regular season finale, with an RBI-single in the last of the eighth. End of the day, Boston took the game 6-0, splitting the series at two games a piece.

End of the day, Brandon Hyde was probably happier that they came out of the weekend with no injuries than anything else. I do think it’s good that the O’s took one of the last two games of the season, that being last night. The results meant less than perhaps the final spring game, but it helps to ease your way out of the regular season.

And what a regular season it was! The Orioles last won 100 games in 1980. This year they won 101. Not even 1983, in which they won the World Series, did they hit 100 regular season wins. Before the season I did predict a playoff appearance for the O’s. But even the most optimistic person wouldn’t have thought they’d have the season they ended up having. Except perhaps every person in that clubhouse.

The is the point of the show where I’d normally set up the next game and give the pitching matchups. In the past I’ve even mentioned the date, venue, and the opponent of the first Grapefruit League game the next season – with a wink and a nod. But we know there’s another game, and we know it’s next Saturday at Camden Yards. Opponent and starters on both sides yet to be determined – stay tuned!

Baltimore Orioles: The end is the beginning

Baltimore Orioles fans have found themselves in stranger situations. But needless to say it’s an odd and a very nice feeling to know that after game 162, there’s still a tomorrow. The regular season may be over. But things are just getting heated up.

We won’t know the next opponent until Wednesday at the earliest. Possibly Thursday. But what we do know is that the Orioles will next sometime on Saturday, and that it’ll be in game one of the ALDS – at Camden Yards.

The lone concern going into that series may be that you have to hope the Birds aren’t harmed by the layoff. However keep in mind that down the stretch in September, the Orioles looked tired at times. So these few days off will probably do more good than harm.

However in the interim, consider this; the Orioles won 101 GAMES. That’s a remarkable accomplishment, given any amount of odds. Buck Showalter (who just parted ways with the New York Mets) used to rave about how hard it was to win even one major league game. But 101 of them? No matter what happens, the Orioles took the fans, the media, and everyone who followed them day in and day out on the ride of a lifetime this summer.

Normally I do a season recap towards the end of the first week after the regular season ends. That’s obviously not happening yet because…the season’s not over! News as it comes out of the team this week. Enjoy the wild card games!

Baltimore Orioles: Jorge Mateo lifts the Birds late

Kyle Gibson was always going to have a shorter start this evening for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Honestly I’m surprised he went five innings. I would have expected three or four. Gibson’s line: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

To their credit, Boston pitching has been very good in this series. So has that of the Orioles, but the O’s obviously are playing for more – even at this stage. And both teams kept the other at bay through most of the game.

Adley Rutschman was lifted in the last of the seventh following a leadoff base hit, in favor of Jorge Mateo. It’s unclear if Brandon Hyde pinch ran Mateo because he wanted speed to play for a run, or if he was trying to rotate Rutschman out like in spring training – or both. But Mateo stole second base, and later scored on Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-single.

Mountcastle would cross the plate later in the inning on an RBI-single by Heston Kjerstad. Boston would narrow the lead to 2-1 on Story’s RBI-single in the eighth, applying a bit of pressure to the Orioles’ pen. But Oriole bats weren’t going to let anything happen, even in a meaningless game.

Jorge Mateo Douro drive in another run in the last of the eighth on a fielder’s choice-RBI. On a comebacker to the pitcher, Jordan Westburg broke for the plate, and was ruled safe. O’s led, 3-1.

Anthony Santander would tack on a two-RBI single later in that eighth inning extended the lead to 5-1. Boston would tack on a run in the ninth, but the O’s closed out a 5-2 victory. It was their 101st on the season.

End of the day, the Birds and Boston were playing just for the sake of playing out a string in this game. Obviously for different reasons, but the games are meaningless for the season standings, or the playoffs. And the game was well-played on both sides.

It was announced before the game that closer Felix Bautista would be undergoing Tommy Johns surgery in the first or second week of October, ending his season. He’s expected to miss next year as well. However Bautista’s also been signed to a two-year contract through 2025. So as soon as he’s ready to come back, he’ll be able to do so.

The series and the regular season concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Tanner Houck. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in first postseason tune up

The Baltimore Orioles May as well be playing Florida Grapefruit League games this weekend. With John Means on the mound this evening at Camden Yards against Boston, they in essence were playing spring training games. And while Means had a solid outing, the Birds couldn’t pull it out in the end. Means’ line: 6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

I think the takeaway from this game is that Means, who’s all but guaranteed to be on the Orioles’ postseason roster, had a strong outing. He pitched to a quality start. And in a game that’s in essence an extension of games at Ed Smith Stadium, that’s probably the goal.

Means’ only mistake came on a two-run homer by Story in the fifth inning. Other than that, Means was outstanding. Boston would tack on an additional run on a fielder’s choice in the ninth, and left Camden Yards with a 3-0 win.

Remember folks, the rest of the regular season is meaningless. The O’s trotted out their “B lineup” for this game, or perhaps if this were truly spring training, we’d call it their travel lineup. While you want to be crisp and competitive, the results are ill-important.

Prior to the game the Orioles honored Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer, who celebrated 60 years in the Orioles’ organization. Consider that folks, Palmer’s in effect worked for the same company for 60 years. Different capacities as time went on, but the same organization. We could all hope to be as good at our jobs and even have the opportunity to work in the same place for that long, as Jim Palmer.

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Kutter Crawford. Game time is set for 7:15 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: The people’s champions

The Baltimore Orioles are no stranger to meaningless games in September. However that’s somewhat misleading in the context of what I’m talking about. In the past, ALL of September (and heck, much of August) was meaningless. This year it’s only the final three games…

…and they’re meaningless due to the obvious fact that the O’s have clinched everything. The division pennant, and thus home field advantage throughout the postseason. The road to the World Series in the American League comes squarely through Baltimore, MD.

The Orioles are a story that people nationwide can get behind. A team from a blue collar city with a proud tradition of baseball, that fell on hard times. And one that roared back to life in a grandiose fashion. A team with relatable players, coaches, and even fans.

In a world that’s become so jaded and so much about “show me something before I’m going to trust you,” these Orioles have shown us something. If you look at social media postings regarding “who’s winning the World Series” and so forth, a lot of people are saying the Orioles. Now to be clear, predictions are simply that: PREDICTIONS. None of that matters unless they show up in the postseason and do it on the field.

But people believe in this team. And the fact is that the Orioles are a great story. When Brandon Hyde was signed as the new manager, most people said, “uh, who again?” But he not only was the right choice for the organization, but he was the right choice for the city. He’s relatable and humble; and baseball fans across the nation are seeing that.

Winning season or losing, the Orioles have always mirrored Baltimore itself. It’s similar to a club of which only select people are aware, and even fewer appreciate. And with their recent (and possible future) success, more and more people are looking in on what most of us have known for some time.

Make no mistake, the Orioles don’t want “mercenary fans” or front runners – who’ll abandon them and latch onto some other team’s bandwagon down the road. But in the immediacy of the here and now, I would submit that they’re a story that people will get behind. It’s a story of a group of players and coaches, and a city, that have overcome the odds.

And on a side note, they did it in the best division in sports. Nothing else compares; consider the fact that they had to go to 100 wins to discard the last team in their rear view mirror. Regardless of what happens in the future, the Orioles are true champions. THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPIONS.

Baltimore Orioles: From pauper to Prince, Birds are the champions of the AL East

Dean Kremer cemented himself into Baltimore Orioles history this evening by becoming the answer to a trivia question. That being, who got the win the night the O’s clinched the 2023 AL East pennant? Kremer’s line: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K.

Anthony Santander put the Orioles on the board with a solo homer in the last of the first. However as good as Kremer and Oriole pitching was, Boston’s was almost just as good. Boston threatened in the sixth, but DL Hall provided perhaps his signature moment to date as an Oriole, striking out one and retiring another runner to strand the would-be tying run at third.

But would the lead hold up? That was the question. Luckily the Birds tacked on an insurance run in the last of the eighth, with pinch hitter Heston Kjerstad blooping an RBI-single to center field. However Boston went quietly in the ninth, giving the O’s a 2-0 win in the series opener.

Oh wait…there’s more to it than just that! With the win, the 2023 Baltimore Orioles have clinched the AL East pennant. No more looking at Tampa in the rear view mirror, no more magic numbers, no more scoreboard watching. It’s over. The Orioles are the beasts of the east.

These Orioles also became the sixth team in franchise history to win 100 games. The last time was 1980. However more poignantly, a team that lost 110 two seasons ago is now the division champion. That’s remarkable if you think about it. This team has truly come full circle, and completed the cycle.

And maybe there’s a strange juxtaposition to all of this. Anthony Santander put the O’s ahead tonight with the aforementioned solo homer. Santander was taken by the Orioles in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft, which was during the Buck Showalter/Dan Duquette era. So perhaps a slightly shaded link to the past with all of this. But make no mistake, regardless of how it happened, who did it, and so forth, Brandon Hyde and the 2023 Baltimore Orioles are the AL East Champions.

In an unrelated but parallel story, it was announced during the game that Orioles’ managing partner John Angelo’s and Maryland Governor Wes Moore have reached a deal to keep the Orioles at Camden Yards for the next 30 years. Both the Governor and Mr. Angelos we’re in attendance at the game. So perhaps an added bonus for fans tonight.

The series with Boston continues tomorrow evening at Camden Yards. John Means gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Nick Pivetta. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.