Baltimore Orioles: Back home

The Baltimore Orioles open their home slate of games this afternoon against New York at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. What, did you think they were playing 162 games wearing road grey?! It’s always a little awkward when they open on the road. Because now you have the pomp and circumstance of “Opening Day,” but the season’s already started.

Of course, the game was supposed to be yesterday. And it could have been. But I digress. Ultimately, the game’s today.

But the home opener is still a huge deal. This team is so entrenched in the Baltimore area, and it means a lot to a lot of people. After a full slate of spring games, and six games on the road, the Orioles are finally where they belong. That being Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Governor Wes Moore and his kids will throw out the first pitch this afternoon. And then it’ll be game on. Today’s the first of 81 scheduled home games. Mind you, there are also 75 road games to go as well! But needless to say, today means something.

The series starts this afternoon at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and New York is yet to announce a starter. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Grayson Rodriguez shines in debut but Birds fall

The Baltimore Orioles opened a new “gift” this afternoon in TexasC, that being Grayson Rodriguez. The former minor leaguer made his first career start today at the big league level, and left us all wanting more. Rodriguez’s line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

That’s one of the better stat lines for a starter in his big league debut that you’re going to see. Rodriguez of course replaced Kyle Bradish on the roster, who was placed on the IL. The Orioles needed a starter, so here he was. And he gave us a great showing in making his debut. Manager Brandon Hyde on Rodriguez:

I’m really happy for him. You give up two runs over five innings on the road, leave with the score tied. Did a great job. Great first experience and only get better.

Quote courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports

Rodriguez of course made his debut in his home state in front of his parents and other family. It almost parallels the storyline of the movie Rookie of the Year. That‘s something that happens so infrequently, which shows how fortunate Rodriguez is in a sense.

Rodriguez gave up two runs in the last of the first. One on an RBI-double, and the other on an RBI-single. But he buckled down, regrouped in the dugout, and pressed on. And again, he left us wanting more.

The O’s however did tie the game up in the fifth. Austin Hays grounded into a fielder’s choice-RBI, and Adam Frazier smacked an RBI-single. This allowed Rodriguez to leave the game and be non-decisioned. Which isn’t an awful thing. It’s better than taking an L in your first start for sure.

Unfortunately however, the Orioles themselves did take the loss. Jung broke the tie with a solo homer in the sixth, Lowe’s two-BI double extended the lead to 5-2 in the last of the seventh. Despite losing the finale, the Orioles did take the series in Texas by winning two-of-three. And now they finally head home.

Orioles Opening Day however has been postponed due to the potential for severe weather in the Baltimore area tomorrow. So tomorrow’s an off day, and the home opener will be Thursday against New York at 3 PM. Which also helps the bullpen a bit -having an off day, that is.

Baltimore Orioles: First series win of 2023

The Baltimore Orioles took it to Texas right from the beginning this evening. Kyle Gibson’s start got moved up a game due to Kyle Bradish going down last night. The O’s are expected to call up Grayson Rodriguez tomorrow to make his big league debut in the series finale. But for tonight, Gibson was dominant. Gibson’s line: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

Ryan McKenna started the party with an RBI-single in the second. Cedric Mullins would add an RBI-double, leaving two runners on. That brought Ryan Mountcastle to the plate, and he smacked a three-run homer.

The O’s led, 5-0 at that point. But the game was still young. The danger in having a lead like that so early in the ballgame is that you sit on it and allow the opposing team back in. But Gibson made sure that didn’t happen. He mowed down Texas hitters for the most part. He did allow a solo homer to Garcia in the last of the second, but that was the exception to the rule.

He would also allow a solo shot to Lowe in the sixth. However a few innings before that (in the third), Jorge Mateo had smacked a two-run home run. So the Birds took a 7-2 lead into the later innings, and the bullpen preserved the win.

Of course after dropping the first series in Boston, the Orioles have now guaranteed themselves a series win in Texas. That’s how you have a successful season in the long run – win series’. And that takes a lot of pressure off of the team tomorrow, as they’ll have a guy in Grayson Rodriguez, who’ll be making his major league debut. Big day all around.

The series concludes tomorrow at Globe Life Field. The aforementioned Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Jacob deGrom. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Tyler Wells takes one for the team

Kyle Bradish got the start for the Baltimore Orioles last night “deep in the heart of Texas.” But things didn’t go exactly as they were supposed to, this with the Orioles looking to rebound from a couple of tough losses to Boston over the weekend. Bradish’s line: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

Bradish sent Texas down 1-2-3 in the first on 11 pitches. With two outs in the second, he was hit by a comebacker and left the game. The ball hit off of his foot. The Orioles said after the game that it was a right foot contusion, and x-rays were negative. It’s unclear what happens next with Bradish.

Relieve Danny Coulombe warmed up quickly and came into the game. And he was great in relief for 1.1 innings. But the real story was tonight’s originally scheduled starter, Tyler Wells. He came in and pitched dive very solid innings for the Birds, striking out two and not allowing a base runner.

And here’s the kicker; Wells VOLUNTEERED to go into the game. The team needed him, and they needed a win last night. Wells rose to the challenge. Manager Brandon Hyde on Wells:

Tyler Wells came to the park not thinking he was going to pitch, start tomorrow and to do what he did, that’s just absolutely amazing. Amazing performance. When that happened with Kyle, I had no idea what we were going to do at that point. We were already short in the bullpen going into today. For Tyler to volunteer, step up, total team guy, unbelievable character kid. Just awesome.

Quote courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports

Unfortunately for Wells, he doesn’t get credited for the win. Danny Coulombe (who was equally as outstanding) did. But only because he was the pitcher of record when Gunnar Henderson recorded his first hit of the season in the top of the fourth. That hit of course was a solo homer, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead. Jorge Mateo smacked a solo shot of his own in the fifth, and the O’s led 2-0.

And the rest was Tyler Wells. And of course Félix Bautista closing things out in the last of the ninth. It’s unclear what happens in terms of starting a starting pitcher this evening. The Orioles could use tomorrow’s scheduled starter (Kyle Gibson) on regular rest, but that would mean they’d have to call up a new starter for tomorrow as well. And reshuffle the rotation in a sense. I suppose it all banks on where Kyle Bradish is with his foot. Obviously we’ll know more later today.

The series continues this evening at Globe Life Field. The Orioles of course are yet to name a starter, but whomever he is he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Andrew Heaney. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles victims of mistakes, bloops

Cole Irvin had some struggles in his first start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at Fenway. It’s important to note that neither wins nor losses are the fault of one guy. It’s a team effort. However Boston jumped on Irvin early and often this afternoon. Irvin’s line: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

If anything, one could argue that Irvin pitched to contact too much in the game. And Boston hitters happily obliged by swinging away. They loaded the bases in the last of the first, however Irvin limited the damage by allowing only an RBI-groundout to Yoshida. However Hernandez smacked a solohomer an inning later, and Verdugo an RBI-double in the third. And the Birds trailed 3-0.

However the Orioles also fought back. Adam Frazier smacked a two-run homer in the fifth inning, cutting the lead to 3-2. In the immediate aftermath, Cedrick Mullins sent a solo shot into the stands, tying the game at three. However Boston wasn’t to be outdone in that fifth inning – they put three more runs across in the bottom.

Cedric Mullins’ two-RBI single in the seventh brought the Orioles back to within one. However in the seventh and eighth Boston would put three more across, nearly all of them the result of softly hit bloopers. And the Birds fell on this after Sunday afternoon at Fenway, 9-5.

Outfield defense has been an issue in this first series. The Oriole outfield botched another sure out this afternoon, resulting in runners on base. I’m of the opinion that those sorts of things will iron themselves out. But they’ve marred the first series.

Those last few Boston runs came off of bloop singles. And that can happen at times. It’s just frustrating in a sense, because it comes across like the opponent’s barely trying. But that’s part of baseball. You win some and you lose some.

The O’s now head to Texas to open a series tomorrow evening at Globe Life Field. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Jon Gray. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall at Fenway as one mistake leads to another

One of those Fenway Park type of games this afternoon for the Baltimore Orioles. You had to know it would be a tight one when the O’s got a sizable lead, but starter Dean Kremer only lasted for three innings. Kremer’s line: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

The O’s set the tone early on, when Ryan Mountcastle smacked a two-run homer, and Austin Hays followed with a solo shot. The O’s took Boston starter Sale back-to-back in the first inning, and took a 3-0 lead. Following a DuVall triple in the last of the second, Kremer uncorked a Wild Pitch, cutting the Orioles’ lead to 3-1.

But the Orioles kept the pressure on. Jorge Mateo grounded into a force out at second with the bases loaded, forcing in a run. And there’s a situation where the O’s took advantage of an opponent’s mistake; Mateo grounded into what should have been an inning-ending 6-4-3 double-play. But the throw to second was poor, and they only got one out. Cedric Mullins followed with a three-run homer, breaking the game open with a 7-1 Orioles’ lead.

But as I said the other day, you can never have enough runs at Fenway. Verdugo and DuVall each smacked two-run homers for Boston in the last of the third, cutting the Orioles’ lead to 7-5. The Orioles did tack a run on in the fourth on Santander’s RBI-double. For what it’s worth, Santander was thrown out trying to advance to third, and the play was upheld on the Orioles’ challenged. Replays seemed to show that Santander evaded the tag, but such is life.

Boston would tack on two in the eighth, giving the Orioles and closer Felix Bautista a one-run lead in the last of the ninth. Bautista recorded the first two outs with ease. That brought Yoshida to the plate, and he sent a lightly-hit flare into left field. Ryan McKenna camped underneath, and appeared poised to record the final out of the game in a fairly routine manner…

…that is, until McKenna dropped the ball. He took his eyes off it just as he was about to put a squeeze on it, and the ball dropped to the grass. DuVall came up next in the order, and he smacked a two-run walk off home run over the green monster, sending the Orioles to defeat.

That’s what can happen when you let a team hang around. Especially in their home park; and at Fenway Park, to be specific. But that one mistake by McKenna obviously came back to haunt the Birds. Mistakes are going to happen, and if Bautista records an out in the wake of that, it’s never mentioned again, but instead it’s a glaring error, and it directly led to the O’s dropping this game.

Ultimately as Felix Bautista himself said after the game, there are 160 games to go. You’re going to have at least one or two like this. The key is to limit them, and to bounce back tomorrow. If the Orioles can win tomorrow’s game, they can head to Texas with a series victory.

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Fenway Park. Cole Irvin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Tanner Houck. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Keep the momentum going

The Baltimore Orioles scored perhaps the greatest Opening Day victory in the history of western civilization on Thursday. Well…for this year, anyways. As I said on Thursday and previously, it’s one game. It probably won’t prove to be indicative of the success or failure of the overall season. But it was a nice start.

The Orioles today are taxed with keeping that momentum going. Once again to show the difference between now and spring training, a victory today gives the Birds a series victory. That’s always a big deal, especially in the division. And not just any division, but the AL East.

Players and coaches will tell you that they want to win every game. And of course they do. But everyone knows that isn’t possible. Privately, they all know that it’s all about winning series’. If you’re consistently taking two-of-three, you’re doing okay.

The first series (and the first home series) is always a bit strange because it’s disjointed. You have all the pomp and circumstance of Opening Day, then a day off. This before resuming the series.

The Orioles may also have one other factor with which to deal: the weather. The forecast in Boston is “blustery” at best today. Now the meteorologist in me says that the forecast for this morning looks worse than the afternoon. But we’ll just have to see how things go – that’s one thing that’s out of our hands! If today‘a game is postponed, the teams could either do a doubleheader tomorrow, a doubleheader in September (when the Orioles return to Fenway), or play on a common day off.

So the aforementioned series at least is scheduled to continue this afternoon at Fenway Park. 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 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman with a career day as Birds hold on Opening Day

Opening Day dawned bright and cold in Boston for the Baltimore Orioles. Little did anyone know what fate had in store for the Birds, specifically for Adley Rutschman – who was behind the dish on Opening Day for the first time. Kyle Gibson got the start for the O’s, and set them up nicely for success. Gibson’s line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Opening Day can at times humble you. But others have the ability to just hit the ground running without skipping a beat. Adley Rutschman is just such a character. I’m his first at-bat, in his first Opening Day as a major leaguer, Rutschman smacked a solo home run in the top of the first inning. The O’s, and Rutschman, set the tone for the day early.

However again perhaps in what set the tone for the day, Boston tied the score in the bottom of the first with an RBI-groundout by Devers. However the Birds regrouped and pounced again. Ramon Urias smacked a two-run homer, Adam Frazier would score on a Wild Pitch, and Ryan Mountcastle would draw a bases loaded walk, giving the Birds a 5-1 cushion. All of this in the top of the fourth.

Boston would bet an RBI-single in the bottom of that inning, but the O’s came back and scored again in the fifth. Jorge Mateo’s RBI-single ran it to 6-2, and the O’s went ahead 8-2 on Rutschman’s two-RBI single.

While Boston would crawl to within 8-4 after the sixth, the Birds kept adding to their lead. Cedric Mullins’ RBI-single in the seventh gave them a 9-4 lead, and Rutschman added one more later in the inning. And it’s a good thing he did. Because you can never have enough runs at Fenway Park.

Boston would push across two in the eighth and two in the ninth. They also had the winning run at first base in the last of the ninth (and the tying run in scoring position). But despite a few struggles, Felix Bautista struck out the final batter, giving the Orioles a 10-9 win at Fenway on Opening Day.

As I said earlier this week, we know nothing about the success or failure of the season as a result of this game. But what we do know is that Adley Rutschman announced his presence to the Boston fans, to the rest of the AL East, and to the entire league today. Rutschman was 5-for-5, with four RBI, and a home run. It’s tough to do that in any game, much less on Opening Day. At Fenway. Manager Brandon Hyde on Rutschman:

If you do anything historical for the Baltimore Orioles … there have been a lot of great players who wore this uniform. It’s not going to be the only time you’re going to say that about Adley. He’s going to be doing other things that are going to be firsts, as well, because he’s just a super-special player. And he hasn’t even played a full year yet. Good things coming.

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

The hope of course is that today isn’t the highlight of 2023, such as Opening Day, 2018 was. (Adam Jones walked Minnesota off that day.) It’s hopefully just a start. An “opening.” But one way or the other, it equated to a win for the orange & black on Opening Day.

Baltimore Orioles: Opening Day, 2023

Today’s “zero hour” for the Baltimore Orioles. Opening Day dawns bright this morning. Although…it could afford to be a little warmer! “Boys of summer,” right?!

It’s supposed to be in the high 30’s or low 40’s in Boston this afternoon also. The Orioles hit the ground running right off the bay this year, opening in the division. We all know the dynamic when you’re up in Fenway. Lots of times games boil down to how the ball bounces.

Win or lose, Opening Day is ONE GAME. It’s one of 162. Today’s game counts as much towards the season as the game on Sunday, October 1st (also against Boston, at Camden Yards) – the last game of the regular season. Point being, no conclusions about the success or failure of this season should be drawn based on today’s game.

However, whatever happens today will set the Birds on a crash course with that October 1st date. Because at that time we’ll know the full story of the Orioles’ 2023 regular season. And whether or not the season will extend past that.

But for today, let your hearts be light. I’m of the attitude that if I say “today’s Opening Day,” and you respond, “Opening Day of what?,” we can’t be friends! It’s a celebration of the return of Major League Baseball for the summer – America’s pastime. It reminds us of the innocence of childhood, and fond memories of summertime. Again, game one of 162; but when the players line up on the base lines this afternoon…it means something slightly more special. Because – it’s Opening Day!

The Birds of course will take on the Boston Red Sox this afternoon on Opening Day at Fenway Park. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Corey Kluber. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: 2023 Season Preview

The Baltimore Orioles are wheels up front Sarasota this evening on their way to Boston. They open the season on Thursday at Fenway Park. So what exactly does this season have in store for the Birds and their fans, you ask?

End of the day, I have no clue. I don’t own a crystal ball! But I think it’s safe to say there’ll be no year-over-year 30+ game improvement over last season – like what we saw in 2022. That’s obviously not possible. But don’t write this season off just yet….

…because it’s going to be an exciting one! The Orioles really like the makeup of their roster this year. The likes of Anthony Santander, Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, Austin Hays, and Adley Rutschman will give Orioles’ fans a taste of the very near starting this year.

As with any other season, it begins and ends with starting pitching. And the Orioles will get a boost when John Means returns from Tommy John’s during the season. However the hope is that the likes of Kyle Gibson, Dean Kremer, and Kyle Irvin can hold the Birds over until then.

Then of course you have the bullpen, which was one of the strengths of the team last year. And there’s nothing that indicates it shouldn’t be again. You have to remember that the bullpen is much more important in today’s game than in previous era’s. Starters don’t go as deep into games as they used to. I’m not saying I necessarily agree with that, but it’s a fact.

Offensively, one question is whether or not Austin Hays has a rebound year. He wasn’t awful last season, but he was better in 2021. Time will tell. And how does a full year of Adley Rutschman behind the plate affect the season? Again, time will tell.

The thing that set the 2022 Birds apart was their resilience. They almost made a run into the postseason last year. Could not having to play as many division games play to their advantage this year? I think the obvious answer is yes. But again, it begins and ends with starting pitching.

So where will the 2023 Orioles finish the season? Fact is you never know. Injuries will play a role. And yes, so will luck. You don’t play 162 games and not have luck figure in just a little bit. But you want a prediction I’m assuming? Ha! Fair enough. It’ll go down to the wire, but the O’s will see the postseason this coming October.