Opposite dugout: Betts led Red Sox assault on O's pitching last season

Opposite dugout: Betts led Red Sox assault on O's pitching last season
Manager: John Farrell (5th season) Record: 3-3 Last 10 games: 3-3 Who to watch: RF Mookie Betts (.318/.363/.534 with 122 R, 31 HR, 113 RBIs), 2B Dustin Pedroia (.318 with 105 R), LF Andrew Benintendi (.295), DH Hanley Ramirez (30 HR, 111 RBIs), RHP Steven Wright (13-6, 3.33 ERA), RHP Craig Kimbrel (31 saves) * Statistics from 2016 Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (11-8 in 2016) Pitching probables: April 11: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. LHP Drew Pomeranz, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 April 12: RHP Ubaldo...
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Nats select contract of right-hander Jeremy Guthrie

Nats select contract of right-hander Jeremy Guthrie
The Washington Nationals selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Jeremy Guthrie on Saturday and optioned outfielder Michael A. Taylor to Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Guthrie, who is celebrating his 38th birthday, gets the start Saturday night vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The start will mark Guthrie's first since the 2015 season when he was a member of the Kansas City Royals. A...
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Orioles acquire pitcher Miguel Castro from Rockies

Orioles acquire pitcher Miguel Castro from Rockies
The Orioles today announced that they have acquired right-hander Miguel Castro from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Joe Gunkel has been designated for assignment. Castro, 22, has pitched in 37 career Major League games as a member of the Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays. Over 82 career minor league games (35 starts), Castro has gone 22-13 with a 3.08 ERA (77 ER/224.2 IP) and 239 strikeouts. He...
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Opposite dugout: Rebuilding Phillies could pose a pesky problem

Opposite dugout: Rebuilding Phillies could pose a pesky problem
Manager: Pete Mackanin (4th season) Record: 1-2 Last 10 games: 1-2 Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (25 HR, 88 RBIs), 2B César Hernández (.294/.371/.393 with 17 SB), CF Odúbel Herrera (.296 with 15 HR, 25 SB), 1B Tommy Joseph (21 HR), SS Freddy Galvis (21 HR), RHP Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 3.71 ERA), RHP Jeanmar Gómez (43 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (5-14 in 2016) Pitching probables: April 7: RHP Max Scherzer (20-7, 2.96 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (8-6, 4.12...
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Orioles finalize 25-man roster

Orioles finalize 25-man roster
The Orioles today announced several roster moves to finalize their 25-man roster. Three players have been placed on the 10-day disabled list: left-hander Wade Miley (retroactive to March 30 - upper respiratory infection), outfielder Anthony Santander (retroactive to March 30 - right forearm strain), and right-hander Chris Tillman (retroactive to March 30 - right shoulder bursitis). Additionally, left-hander Jayson Aquino and right-hander Gabriel ynoa have been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and...
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Nationals announce 2017 opening day roster

Nationals announce 2017 opening day roster
The Washington Nationals announced their 2017 Opening Day roster on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals' 25-man roster is comprised of 11 pitchers (four starting pitchers, seven relievers), two catchers, seven infielders, and five outfielders. With an even mix of veterans and youth, the Nationals' will open the 2017 season with 11 players under the age of 30, and 11 players with at least seven years of service...
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Roster spot within his grasp, Guthrie is at peace with whatever happens

Roster spot within his grasp, Guthrie is at peace with whatever happens
If Jeremy Guthrie is at all worried about what will happen in the next couple of days - whether he'll buck improbable odds to snag a 25-man roster spot with the Nationals after coming to camp as a non-roster invitee and forcing his way into a crowded bullpen picture - the 37-year-old isn't showing it. Before Friday's exhibition game at Nationals Park against the Red Sox was rained out, the right-hander was folding clothes at his locker stall, talking and joking with his teammates. It's the...
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Baker on Rendon's calf injury: "He's not ready" (game canceled)

Baker on Rendon's calf injury: "He's not ready" (game canceled)
The bruised left calf that kept Anthony Rendon out of the final three Grapefruit League games continues to trouble the Nationals third baseman, and manager Dusty Baker isn't sure whether the injury will affect Rendon's status for Monday's season opener against the Marlins. "I don't know," Baker said Friday afternoon when asked about Rendon's prognosis for the opener. "You guys want me to have that crystal ball and I don't know. We'll see. He's day-to-day." Rendon is still bothered...
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Orioles announce opening day plans

Orioles announce opening day plans
The Orioles today have announced plans for the first home game of the 2017 season, Monday, April 3, at 3:05 p.m. ET against the Toronto Blue Jays, which will air on MASN, WJZ, CBS Radio's 105.7 The Fan and the entire 40-station Orioles Radio Network. PREGAME FUN AROUND THE YARD To allow fans the opportunity to experience the excitement of Opening Day, the entire ballpark will open at noon on Monday. Each fan will receive a 2017 schedule magnet, presented by Long Fence, at the gates. Roving...
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Orioles spring training attendance ranks second-highest in club history

Orioles spring training attendance ranks second-highest in club history
With today's crowd of 6,900 for this season's Spring Training finale at Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles have drawn a total of 119,742 fans for 17 home games in Sarasota, the second-highest spring attendance in club history behind only the 120,455 total set in 2013. Since moving Major League operations to Sarasota, 885,055 fans have enjoyed Orioles Spring Training baseball at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles had six consecutive sellouts from March 16 to March 27, helping the club to finish among...
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Orioles announce O's Zone events for fans

Orioles announce O's Zone events for fans
The Orioles today announced dates for their six O's Zone events, presented by Budweiser. Each event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET and will include Orioles giveaways, trivia and prizes, an appearance by the Oriole Bird, and autograph sessions with former Orioles players. Additionally, Orioles public address announcer Ryan Wagner will emcee all six events. The first O's Zone event will take place on Friday, March 31, at Della Rose's Avenue Tavern on 8153 Honeygo Boulevard in...
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Opposite dugout: Can Blue Jays compensate for departure of big bat?

Opposite dugout: Can Blue Jays compensate for departure of big bat?
Manager: John Gibbons (10th season) Record: 89-73 (tied for second in AL East in 2016) Last 10 games: Season opener Who to watch: 3B Josh Donaldson (.284/.404/.549 with 37 HR, 99 RBIs), SS Troy Tulowitzki (24 HR, 79 RBIs), RF José Bautista (22 HR, 69 RBIs), DH Kendrys Morales (30 HR, 93 RBIs), LHP J.A. Happ (20-4, 3.18 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (36 saves, 2.68 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (10-9 in 2016) Pitching probables: April 3: RHP Marco Estrada (9-9, 3.48 ERA) vs. RHP...
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Nats to face Red Sox on Saturday in Naval Academy Baseball Classic

Nats to face Red Sox on Saturday in Naval Academy Baseball Classic
The Washington Nationals are excited to play the Boston Red Sox in the first-ever Naval Academy Baseball Classic on Saturday, April 1 at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. The game is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. ET at Max Bishop Stadium, home of the Naval Academy's baseball team. The game will be televised on MASN, the official broadcast partner of the Nationals, and NESN, the official broadcast partner of the Red Sox. Fans can also listen to the game on 106.7 The Fan and...
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"Orioles Classic" rewind: Oriole Park Classics Game No. 1

"Orioles Classic" rewind: Oriole Park Classics Game No. 1
It's here. After a long winter, baseball returns for real tomorrow. Though it's been a fun offseason of "Orioles Classics" on MASN, we're ready for the regular season. And we know you'll be tuning in at 2 p.m. Monday when an hour-long edition of "O's Xtra" kicks off MASN's opening day coverage on MASN2. But before that, we've got one more order of business.As in No. 1. For the past few months, we've been counting down the top games at Camden Yards, which celebrates its 25th...
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Orioles to celebrate Kids' Opening Day on April 9

Orioles to celebrate Kids' Opening Day on April 9
The Orioles today announced plans for their third annual Kids' Opening Day, which will be held Sunday, April 9, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards when the Orioles host the New York Yankees at 1:35 p.m. The celebration will welcome children and their families to a new season of Orioles Baseball with many fun activities and unique gameday opportunities for several lucky kids throughout the day. Kids' Opening Day will feature a kids-only Orioles fedora, available to all fans ages 14 and under....
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Orioles auctioning orange spring training jerseys to benefit Orioles Charitable Foundation

Orioles auctioning orange spring training jerseys to benefit Orioles Charitable Foundation
The Orioles today announced that an online charity auction for 2017 team-issued and game-worn orange Spring Training jerseys will take place on orioles.com/auctions until Wednesday, April 5, at 10:00 p.m. ET. The orange Spring Training jerseys feature the new 2017 design, which includes a Florida patch on the right sleeve and sublimated lettering and numbers on the back of the jerseys, featuring various Major League Baseball and Spring Training logos. The jerseys of select players and manager...
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Relive "Nationals Classics": Some baseball to whet your appetite for the regular season

Relive "Nationals Classics": Some baseball to whet your appetite for the regular season
The regular season is so close, you can almost taste the Ben's Chili Bowl half smokes, popcorn and peanuts. It'll be April 3 before you know it. But before the Nationals host the Marlins on South Capitol Street next Monday, there are still a couple of exhibition games left - MASN broadcasts March 28 versus the Fish, then March 31 and April 1 against the Red Sox - and a smattering of "Nationals Classics" that will air in the week leading up to opening day. We've got a nice variety for you -...
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Orioles add extra giveaway for 2017 season ticket Tag Day participants

Orioles add extra giveaway for 2017 season ticket Tag Day participants
Fans who attend the Orioles Tag Day event on Saturday, March 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards will receive a "Smile, You're in Birdland" t-shirt, while supplies last, as well as have a chance to win Orioles autographed memorabilia throughout the day. No purchase necessary. Tag Day allows fans who are interested in purchasing either a full or partial Season Plan for the 2017 season an opportunity to "try out" seats before they make a purchase. Orioles Season...
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Introducing MASNsports.com's 2017 guest bloggers

Introducing MASNsports.com's 2017 guest bloggers
There's no doubt that you get some of the best baseball writing around at MASNsports.com, with the unparalleled daily coverage of veteran Orioles writers Roch Kubatko and Steve Melewski, plus a talented supporting staff. But we're also proud to give a platform to some other baseball opionions, creative and thought-provoking bloggers who fill cyberspace with their opinions. Since its introduction in 2011, MASNsports.com has welcomed guest bloggers to our site, and 2017 will be no different....
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Setting MASNsports.com's guest blogging rotation for 2017

Setting MASNsports.com's guest blogging rotation for 2017
One of the things that sets MASNsports.com apart from its competition is the myriad of voices on the site. It's one thing to have world-class daily Nationals coverage provided by Mark Zuckerman, Byron Kerr and the rest of the site's staff; but it's another to offer a platform for some other dedicated voices to share their diamond knowledge. Once again this season, MASNsports.com will feature the talents of several guest bloggers, writers whose work is familiar to those who pore over the...
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