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.

Baltimore Orioles stand at the crossroads of destiny

A win tonight over Boston, and the Baltimore Orioles win the AL East pennant. And they’ll have done it the right way. By building from the bottom up.

Remember when they traded Manny Machado and others in 2018? That event was the beginning. Today has the potential to bookend as the end of the process.

In truth however, the end of the process was awhile ago. But capturing the division pennant would be symbolic in nature of the road traversed. And folks, it’s only baseball that can make us think in those terms. Remember that.

A moment and a day such as this one remind us of where we’ve come from in a given span of time. And everyone has their stories that run parallel to whatever happened with the Orioles. Speaking for myself, I became an Uncle to the most awesome little boy in the world in 2021, after almost losing my Dad to COVID. Then almost bit it myself last year due to diabetes. But that’s under control and I live a very normal life, my Dad’s okay, and my nephew’s still amazing.

That aside, this team is incredibly embedded into the lives of the people who follow it. Baltimore and the Orioles are a community unlike any other, perhaps in professional sports. And part of that is because baseball reminds us of our past, and where we come from. Why we started following it in the first place. We all had the moments as kids at cookouts with the ballgame on in the background. Or at the beach, listening on the radio. Or whenever.

And tonight all of those thoughts and memories come juxtaposed with the immediacy of potentially winning the division pennant. With the B & O Warehouse as the backdrop. So for the Orioles and the fans, now with the path to destiny closer than ever, there’s only one thing left to do: WIN THE WHOLE THING.

Baltimore Orioles: One win to paydirt

The Baltimore Orioles and starter Grayson Rodriguez were hoping that Boston (tomorrow’s opponent) would do them a solid tonight. However they fell to Tampa, meaning the O’s couldn’t clinch the AL East pennant tonight. Luckily however, they can do it tomorrow, thanks in part to Rodriguez’s effort on the mound. Rodriguez’s line: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

The O’s took the lead in the third on a two-run homer by Adley Rutschman. Washington would put a couple of runners on base in the fifth, and they would tie it on Alu’s RBI-single. For what it’s worth, that was the first and only run that Washington scored against the O’s this year.

But Rutschman tacked that run back on in the bottom of the inning. His RBI-single extended the lead to 3-1. The Birds would load the bases later in the inning, and Jordan Westburg would draw a walk, extending the lead to 4-1. Austin Hays’ RBI-single in the sixth would give the Birds an insurance run, and they took the game, 5-1.

Again for what it’s worth, the O’s swept the season series with Washington. This after taking the first two games in DC back in April, and of course last night’s game. But this game and this point of the season weren’t about a regional rivalry. It was about something greater.

Again given the Tampa win, the O’s couldn’t clinch the AL East tonight. It the magic number is now one. Tampa’s off tomorrow, meaning the O’s will have a chance to win the division on their own and in their own right. High stakes for sure.

The aforementioned series against Boston, the final series of the 2023 regular season, begins tomorrow at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Chris Sale. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Bereaved Birds narrow magic number

Obviously with the death of the great Brooks Robinson, hearts and minds surrounding the Baltimore Orioles were full. And in memorium to the greatest third baseman of all time today, Kyle Bradish pitched a gem. Bradish’s line: 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K.

The O’s got on the board early in this game. Gunnar Henderson smacked a solo homer in the first inning. And the good thing about your pitching staff not surrendering a run is that you only need one. Which is good, because that’s all the Orioles got tonight. They went home 1-0 winners.

Washington’s Meneses sent a deep fly ball to center in the fourth that was tracked down by Cedric Mullins. But that’s the closest the Orioles came to surrendering a run. They almost scored again in the last of the eighth, but Gunnar Henderson was thrown out attempting a straight steal of home. Yennier Cano struck out the side in the ninth, and the Birds closed out the win.

As this is being written, Tampa leads the Boston Red Sox; if that result holds, the O’s will remain with the magic number being two. This meaning that a win against Washington tomorrow combined with a Tampa loss, would clinch the division for the O’s.

Obviously the mood was dampened by the Brooks Robinson news. Not one person who ever met him had a cross thing to say about him. And yes, he’s the greatest third baseman of all time. It’s sad when anyone dies, and we certainly wish nothing but love and peace for all who knew and loved him. But the cool thing for fans will be hearing all the tributes and the things that will be said about Brooks Robinson over the next few days. And put that up against the backdrop of winning the AL East Pennant, and needless to say it’s shaping up to be a special week.

The series with Washington concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Patrick Corbin. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: A legend’s passing

The Baltimore Orioles and the baseball family mourn a legend’s passing this evening. Just prior to this evening’s game against Washington, it was announced that former Oriole Brooks Robinson had passed away at age 86. The Orioles and Washington Nationals stood for a moment of silence in Robinson’s honor before tonight’s game.

I suppose this is up for debate, but for the purposes of this column, we’re going to say that the greatest third baseman in the history of baseball passed away. Nicknamed both “Hoover” and/or “the human vacuum cleaner,” there’s only one stat that truly needs to be said regarding Robinson. That being 16 consecutive Gold Gloves. Consider that folks; he didn’t just win 16 Gold Gloves, he won the Gold Glove at his position for 16 CONSECUTIVE YEARS. I’m sorry, that ends the discussion of the greatest ever.

After hanging up his cleats, Robinson stayed active with the Orioles and in the Baltimore community. He did color analysis on television for years, and was an overall ambassador for the Orioles around town and around the league. He was also known as “Mr. Oriole,” and his fingerprints will forevermore remain on the fabric of this franchise and the fan base.

Along with John Unitas, Brooks Robinson is etched into the childhood memories of most Baby Boomer Baltimore sports fans – including my father and his brothers. And there’s one way that the Orioles could pay homage to Brooks Robinson in the interim – win the whole, damn thing.

Baltimore Orioles: With everything on the line, John Means was the guy

John Means came through for the Baltimore Orioles tonight in various ways. First off, he pitched not the eighth inning. With a tired bullpen at the worst possible moment in time, that was EXACTLY what the Orioles needed. That’s an intangible thing when it comes to stats, but needless to say Means showed up for the O’s tonight. Means’ line: 7.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Anthony Santander smacked an RBI-double in the first inning to give the O’s a 1-0 lead. But this game was all about John Means being a bulldog. And was he ever. He almost single-handedly stabilized a pitching staff that was looking more and more beleaguered.

Needless to say, Means was mowing down Cleveland hitters. It was a stark contrast to what we saw last night. Cleveland and their snap-happy bats were unable to find much daylight in the field. Meanwhile Anthony Santander extended their lead to 2-0 in the sixth with an RBI-single.

And it’s a good thing he did. Means was quietly throwing a no-hitter. I say quietly because the overarching storyline of this game was the stakes it carried – for the O’s. However the no-no came to an end in the seventh when Giminez smacked a solo homer. Not only was it the first (and only) hit Means surrendered, but it cut the lead in half.

But the good news was Means didn’t let it phase him. He knew it was only one run, and given what the Orioles are looking towards after the season, a no-hitter at this stage was all but irrelevant. He was lifted after one out in the eighth, which was finished off by Yennier Cano. Cionel Perez pitched a perfect ninth, and the Orioles took the win, 2-1.

Thus they maintain their 1.5 game lead over Tampa in the AL East. Tampa of course, who won in walk-off fashion earlier in the day. So this was a big win for the Birds, anchored by John Means doing a massive “solid” for the rest of the pitching staff. And narrowing the Magic Number to 5.

The series concludes tomorrow at Progressive Field. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.