O's pitchers and catchers report to spring training!

The Baltimore Orioles pitchers and catchers reported to spring training early this week with the rest of the team expected by end of the week. The only problem with that is majority of the club has been here working out and are ready to go.

With the excitement building the idea of the Orioles not adding that big bad via free agency has had fans up set around the Baltimore area. Not me though as the possibility of having a healthy Nolan Reimold for the entire season as well as a bounce back season from Brian Roberts. The offense will be a big jump from last season as the O's look to win more games by more then 1 run.

My projected lineup looks a lot different then many:

1. Nick Markakis
2. Brian Roberts
3. Nolan Reimold
4. Adam Jones
5. Chris Davis
6. Matt Wieters
7. Manny Machado
8. J.J. Hardy
9. Nate Mclouth

Now as you look at that lineup you see some power but the idea of having speed through out the lineup gives me something to smile about. Now Roberts could go to the bottom of the lineup or possible lead off but with how Markakis handled the leadoff spot and the real idea that the leadoff hitter only leads off guaranteed in the first this will give him more at bats. If Markakis is hitting doubles this gives the O's a great bunter in Roberts as well as a contact hitter to get him moved over for the middle of the lineup. Giving more chances for the 3,4 and 5 hitters to drive in runs.

Baltimore Orioles nab 3 gold gloves!

The Baltimore Orioles started the 2012 as one of the worse defensive teams in MLB but down the stretch the defense got better behind strong play of J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters. All three of those guys got Rawlings Gold Gloves to back it up to start the awards for the O's!

Now the defensive improved when Buck Showalter moved Mark Reynolds to first base full time and called up Nate McLouth in slotted him in full time in left field as well. The team also called up the young super star Manny Machado to anchor down a third base position that lacked a true fielder.

Congrats to J.J. Hardy on his first Gold Glove while Jones & Wieters both got their second. Wieters anchors down a very young staff and does a great job calling a game!

Bryce Harper & Manny Machado future for MD & DC market!

The Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles both moved in the right direction in 2012. The Nationals finished first in the National League East with the best record in major leage baseball. While the O's had one of the best turnarounds ever as they finished second in the American League East. The Nationals have a young core of pitching led by Stephen Strasburg and called up the young superstar Bryce Harper to help get things going in 2012.

The O's called up fellow young superstar Manny Machado late in the season to help keep the club playing great ball. The callup not only gave them a solid option at the plate but a great fielder at third base.

Both of these clubs have great futures with Manny Machado and Bryce Harper in the Majors. Look for a possible beltway World Series in the near future! Both of these superstars are also making a buzz in the sports memorabilia world as people from all around are trying to collect these two players along with Mike Trout. From autograph baseballs to baseball cards to McFarlane SportsPicks they are on the top of the game. Bryce Harper made his debut on the SportsPick collection just this week the same day he turned 20 years old. While Manny Machado autographs have jumped from $50-$60 range to over $100 on some sites and stores.

The game of baseball has so much promise and for areas of Baltimore and DC they have so much to look forward to going in to 2013!

A Big Thank You To the Orioles!

As a die hard O's fan I want to take the time out to say Thank YOU to all the Baltimore Orioles, Buck Showalter and the rest of the O's staff. I have only experienced this excitement a few times as 7 year old with the WHY Not O's of 1989 and the O's teams of 96,97.

The team played every game and didn't let what the media had to say get in front of their goals. They played as a team if one guy wasn't playing well the next man stepped up. No major superstar not taking anything away from Adam Jones. Jones is a great ball player but Super Stars focus on me me me and Jones played as part of this team. From the shaving cream pies to the bubble gum bubbles in the outfield. 

Lets Go O's in 2013! Can't wait for free agency and spring training to start!

O's look to Saunders in 1 game playoff against Texas!

The Baltimore Orioles will travel to Texas to take on the Texas Rangers tonight in a battle of 2 wild card teams in the Major League Baseball Playoffs. Buck Showalter has elected to give the ball to Joe Saunders tonight over the rookie Steve Johnson. This is the first time the O's have made the playoffs since 1997 with many people around baseball having us as one of the worse baseball teams in the Majors.

The O's will go up against rookie ace Yu Darvish who over the past month or so has been one of the best pitchers in the American League. This won't stop the O's led by Adam Jones and Chris Davis as tonight's contest could be a high scoring game with the way the ball fly's out of the stadium in Arlington!

Lets Go O's! I got the O's winning 8-5 ballgame and moving on!

Orioles sweep Boston out of Baltimore!

The Baltimore Orioles are on the verge for the teams first postseason birth since 1997 but had to get through Boston first. Last Season the O's spoiled the Red Sox chances to head to the playoff behind Robert Andino. This season the Red Sox had the chance to be spoiler but the O's had other ideas in store.

The Baltimore Orioles swept Boston on Sunday to move their record to 92-67 on the Season. They are currently tied in the American League East with the New York Yankees. The O's hit 3 solo homeruns including shots from Nate McLouth, JJ Hardy and Chris Davis. That is all that Joe Saunders would need to win his 3 game for the O's.

The O's will travel to Tampa to take on the Rays while the Red Sox could help the O's as they take on the Yankees in the remaining 3 games of the Season. Both teams will be fighting to win the division with a good chance the other team getting a wild card spot. The O's need a Angels loss or a O's win to lock up a wildcard spot!

Manny Machado called up as Steve Johnson gets his first win!

The Baltimore Orioles had a lot of things to be happy about at the end of the day on August 8th. The team just swept the Seattle Mariners with a strong outing from Steve Johnson and big production from Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters. After the game O's nation found out that O's have called up Manny Machado the organizations top prospect to make his Major League Debut on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. We also learned that Dylan Bundy will be moved up to double A Bowie Baysox. Steve Johnson's first win in his first Major League start is the big news around Baltimore as 23 years ago on August 8th, 1989 his father Dave Johnson won his first big league game for the same Baltimore Orioles. Steve was brilliant in the Win while striking out 9 batters in 6 innings. The O's would jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first and add 2 more in the third inning and 3 in the fourth. That would be plenty of run support for Johnson to pick up his first Win. O's got home-runs off the bat of Nick Markakis and Mark Reynolds while Matt Wieters collected 5 Rbi's in the win. Adam Jones also added 3 of the 14 hits for the Birds who have won 5 straight games. After the game we learn that the O's top prospect Manny Machado was being called up to start at the third base for the O's in the opening game of a 4 game series against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night. Machado was batting .266 for the Bowie Baysox but has been hot since the all-star break. The O's are hoping Machado can get off to a hot start while helping the team such as other big name rookies Mike Trout and Bryce Harper has done for the teams they are playing for. The O's nation will be all eyes on the T.V. set with many more fans deciding to head down to Camden Yards to watch the game live! Wait so fast that is not all the O's did on Wednesday as the O's decided to move Dylan Bundy up to the Baysox where he will make his debut August 14th. As a O's fan we all have a lot of things to be happy for! Let's Go O's!

Davis, Tillman keep O's from being swept!

Chris Davis had 2 hits and 4 runs batted in helping him to bust out of a slump and help the O's from being swept. Davis drove a bases clearing double to left center field and a solo home-run deep into the seats in center. Add in an Adam Jones 2 run single and thats all Chris Tillman would need.

Tillman would go 6 innings allowing 2 runs while striking out 5. Tillman won back to back games for the first time of his career. Moving his record to 3-1 on the season. The O's bullpen would get 3 scoreless innings and 3 strike-outs.

The O's will welcome the red hot Oakland A's to Camden Yards for the weekend series while the Rays head out to the West Coast to take on the Los Angeles Angels.

Baltimores trio of allstars looking to shine!

The first half of the 2012 season has come and gone now the mid season classic is upon us. The Baltimore Orioles for the first time since 2005 have multiple all-star selections heading to the game. Matt Wieters, Adam Jones & Jim Johnson. For Wieters and Jones this will be there second appearance with it being Jim Johnson's first.

Jones has batted .289 with 20 home-runs in the first half and will look to continue those numbers over the next couple months to put up career highs. Wieters who has been praised with the work he does with pitchers and his defense is also looking to put up career highs offensively this year. The last player Johnson has pitched to a 1.21 e.r.a with a league leading 26 saves.

These 3 players are a big part of the O's first half success that has them in second place in the American League East at the break. Look for all 3 to help the American League win against the National League squad tonight on Fox.

My prediction is Jones will go 1-2 with a 2-run homer and Johnson will pick up the save!

Chipper and Cal a lot alike!

Growing up a Baltimore Orioles fan and watching Cal Ripken Jr play the game you learn to respect the game of baseball. Cal played his entire career for 1 team not choosing to leave for more money. He played it day in and day out while giving it all he had. He didn't want to take days off either from being tired or injured. He played as if he had to go to work the same as you and me. Now Cal & Chipper have different careers but they are a lot alike. They both played in the steroid era while never being brought up in those conversations or being linked. They both also played for 1 team and 1 team only. They both also have a World Series ring and an MVP award with Cal having 2.

Cal and fellow hall of famer Tony Gwynn both made the All-Star team in there final season and now Chipper has the chance to do that as well. Chipper got word today that he will replace Matt Kemp on the National League all-star team for this 8th time. Chipper will go out an all-star as the likes of Cal in his final season. Now many people will argue this and they did with Cal & Tony but its well deserving honor based on the career Chipper has put up. Fans vote players in every year that is not well deserving just based on who they play for, what team they play for and how they get attention. As an Orioles fan I tip my hat to Chipper Jones and wish him the best of luck the rest of the way and a great time in Kansas City at the all-star game. Now if he homers in the game he can add another thing he has with Ripken. Chipper now gets to end his career an all-star the same way Cal did!

In years down the road he will join Ripken in the Baseball Hall of Fame! Both great ball players who played the game of baseball with the same love you play it as a kid!

O's bats can't wake up!

The Baltimore Orioles headed out west to play a series against the Seattle Mariners followed by a series against the Los Angeles Angels before the All-Star Break. A break that can't get here fast enough for the boys in orange & black. The problem over the course of the last couple weeks has been the teams lack of hitting in the clutch and now all of a sudden its just hits in general.

The O's managed to get 3 hits off the Mariners including 1 of those being a 3 run home-run off the bat of Chris Davis. Davis also had a second hit gaining 2 of 3 hits with the third hit coming of the newly acquired bat of Jim Thome. Jason Hammel started for the O's and had a solid outing going in the 7th after a strike-out Matt Wieters attempted a strike them out throw them out double play but Robert Andino dropped the ball. The catch would have cleared the bases with 2 outs. Instead it was 1 out and a runner at second. The Mariners were able to load the bases before Casper Wells cleared them on a bases clearing double.

The O's would fall to the Mariners 6-3 as the slide continues. Over the the course of the last 7 games the O's have 47 hits in 218 at bats with a team batting average of .215. The one bright spot Wilson Betemit who is 11 for 27 over that stretch. Other then him the rest of the team is not hitting including Mark Reynolds who is 0 for 15, Brian Roberts 1 for 22, Robert Andino 1 for 13 and JJ Hardy who is 4 for 30.

The O's are in need of the All-Star break and it can't get here fast enough! The question entering the break will the O's still be over .500?

Mikes Trout's catch just that good on replay!

The Baltimore Orioles on a trip to the west coast to play the Seattle Mariners followed by the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels just left Baltimore after sweeping the O's last week. In one of those games Mike Trout robs JJ Hardy of a home-run. The catch made a lot of noise as he went well above the wall in right center to rob the O's shortstop. If you haven't seen the catch you can see it here! As far as the catch goes after watching it you can tell me what you think but my thoughts are that it was amazing and one of the best catches at Camden Yards!

His catch made me actually look into acquiring some of his autographed memorabilia and rookie cards. Here is a good read about Mike Trout and being a player to collect!. Maybe I'll put together a list of the top 5/10 greatest catches at Oriole Park At Camden Yards. Let me know what you think is the best catch in the stadiums history!

The Orioles unpredictable starting rotation!

As spring training gets underway down in Sarasota for the Baltimore Orioles the big question is what will be the starting rotation? After a trade that sent former number 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie to the Colorado Rockies and a splash of free agent signings of starters who should be no more than a number 4 or 5 starter to fight for the top of the rotation.

The first test to fill out the rotation is who will be the number 1 starter that takes the mound on opening day? Guess time will tell but with Zach Britton recovering from a sore shoulder and Brian Matusz terrible 2011 season it leaves you to wonder who it will be. My guess it will come down to Jake Arrieta or Tommy Hunter depending on who has the better spring.

The rotation I am going with at the moment which I will update it when the spring games start looks like this.

Jake Arrieta
Tommy Hunter
Wei-Yin Chen
Brian Matusz
Chris Tillman (Long shot chance but I have the hopes he regains his power arm)

Now don't flip out after not seeing Zach Britton as he will more than likely be added to the list but till he throws off the regular mound that puts him behind the other starters!

What does your starting rotation look like? I would love to see it!

The Buck stops in Baltimore!

The Baltimore Orioles have announced that former manager of the year Buck Showalter as there manager. The O's have the worst record in baseball and are on a verge of breaking the record for most losses in a single season. Buck will take over the team on Tuesday night when the team returns back to Baltimore.

The task is huge for a man that has been manager of the year twice. In 1994 with the Yankees and 2004 with the Rangers. He also managed the Diamondbacks and built the team that ended up winning the World Series the year after being fired.

He has been complimented on his readiness and passion for fundamentals of the game. He has 882 wins compared to 833 loses in his coaching career. The move allows for him to examine the team for the rest of the season to understand what he needs to acquire and what moves need to be made in the off season. He is signed through the 2013 season.

O's drop 4th straight, give ball to Guthrie to end skid!

The Baltimore Orioles have not only lost the last 4 games but they have been out scored 34 to 13 in the losses. The last 2 games have been against the Toronto Blue Jays who they have yet to beat this year. The O's are 0-11 against the Jays this season. They will turn to Jeremy Guthrie to break the streak tonight as he will take on Brad Mills.

Guthrie has pitched solid of late only allowing 3 total runs in his last 2 starts while pitching at least 6 innings and striking out 6 in both starts. Though he only picked up 1 win in the starts with a total of 5 runs of support. Guthrie will look for the red hot Luke Scott to continue his power surge and Nick Markakis add a few more doubles to his total.

O's notes: The O's have a few big trade chips that could help land a few more prospects come the 31st trade deadline. That being said they team will not just trade players away to get rid of them and will look to make trades that will help the club.

O's sweep Nats back to DC!

The Baltimore Orioles just did not want to quit against the beltway rivals the Nat's over the weekend. The O's would fall behind by 3 after 4 but would fight back and get 3 of there own in the bottom of the 5th. Miguel Tejada would break the tie with a single in the 8th that would score Corey Patterson. That's all Simon and the O's would need as he closed out the 9th for his 9th save of the season.

O's at the plate were lead by Miguel Tejada who went 2 for 4 while picking up a rbi. Adam Jones added a double and a rbi while Scott Moore also had a hit and a rbi. Jeremy Guthrie would finish 6 innings only allowing the 3 runs while the bullpen would come in and close out the final 3 innings. David Hernandez picked up the win getting 2 outs in the 8th while striking out both batters.

Up next for the O's are the Oakland A's while the Nat's head to Atlanta to take on the Braves.

O's do it again after trailing by 5!

The Baltimore Orioles are on a 3 game winning streak after back to back games wins over the Nationals in which they were down by 6 runs and 5 runs today. Baltimore's starter Brad Bergesen went 4 innings while allowing 5 runs before leaving with the team behind 5-1. The next inning the O's would put 4 runs on the board all coming off 4 hits and a single to tie the game at 5. The O's would take the lead in the bottom of the 7th as Washington's relief pitcher threw a wild pitch that let Luke Scott score the go ahead run. Alfredo Simon would work the 9th for his 8 save of the season.

The O's at the plate were lead by Matt Wieters went 3 for 4 with 2 rbi's, Miguel Tejada went 3 for 5 with a rbi, Nick Markakis went 2 for 4 with 1 rbi and Adam Jones added his 7th home-run of the month of June. While the O's bullpen threw another 5 solid innings of relief to allow the Orioles to stay in the game!

The O's will look for the sweep on sunday verse the Washington Nationals!

Millwood grabs win number 2, O's put 11 spot on scoreboard!

Kevin Millwood grabbed win number 2 on a outing where the rest of the team had to step-up and put runs on the board. That is exactly what they did as the team scored 11 runs on 17 hits with 2 of them coming off home-runs. Adam Jones & Miguel Tejada lead the charge each had home-runs and picked up multiple hits. Tejada was 4 for 5 with the home-run and 4 runs batted in while Jones was 3 for 5 at the plate with a double, home-run and 2 runs batted in. The team also picked up hits from the other 7 starters with Craig Tatum going 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and rbi.

The O's avoided the sweep by the Florida Marlins. Next up for the O's will be the Washington Nationals at Camden Yards starting a 3 game series at home. While the Florida Marlins will take on the San Diego Padres at Sun Life Stadium in Florida.

O's fail to land Valentine, search continues!

The Baltimore Orioles entertained the Bobby Valentine but thats all they did as the former Major League Coach told the organization he was not interested in the position. Though he did say he was interested in another manager position with the Florida Marlins. That could come true as reports indicate he will be offered a 4 year contract. Though the Orioles did not make any news of a offer to Valentine they did continue there search as they interviewed Buck Showalter on Wednesday and plan to bring Eric Wedge for a second interview sometime soon. The O's also will give former O's and 1983 World Series MVP Rick Dempsey another interview for the position.

The search will continue till the O's find the right man for the job!

O's take shortstop Machado!

The Baltimore Orioles used the number 3 pick in the baseball draft to select high school shortstop Manny Machado. This selection gives the organization a chance to develop another great shortstop from the ground up. This young man has been compared by some as the next A-Rod.

The down fall is he is only 17 and is coming out of high school which could mean it could be a few years before he will be a impact on the big league club. That is if the team can come to terms with him. Machado is 6 foot 2. He has committed to college plus add in that his agent is Scott Boras and the likely hood is that the O's fans might not ever get to cheer for him.

Lets hope for the sake of the organization he could be the future shortstop for a long time.