World Series game blog: Indians host Cubs in Game 7

World Series game blog: Indians host Cubs in Game 7
The last time the Cleveland Indians won the World Series, it was 1948 and they beat the Boston Braves, four games to two. The last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, it was 1908 and they beat the Detroit Tigers, four games to one. Tonight, one of those teams will end a long World Series victory drought with a win in Game 7 as the Indians host the Cubs. Chicago scored just 10 runs in the first five games of the World Series before last night's 9-3 win to force tonight's decisive game....
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In first year of new deal, Chris Davis dealt with big expectations

In first year of new deal, Chris Davis dealt with big expectations
It is hard to call a season where a player hit 38 homers disappointing, but 2016 probably was exactly that for Orioles first baseman Chris Davis. Even in a year when only seven American League players homered more. Expectations have been very high for Davis since he hit 53 homers, drove in 138 runs, had an OPS of 1.004 and finished third for the MVP in 2013. Those expectations probably soared even higher when he signed a seven-year deal worth $161 million in January. It is easily the richest...
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A take on Matt Wieters, a look the World Series TV ratings

A take on Matt Wieters, a look the World Series TV ratings
Will the Orioles make catcher Matt Wieters a qualifying offer for the second year in a row? Should they? Wieters hit .243/.302/.409 last year with 17 homers, 66 RBIs and an OPS of .711. His batting average and OBP were his lowest since 2013 and his slugging percentage was his lowest since 2010. On the other hand, the Orioles went 64-47 when Wieters was the catcher. Their .577 winning percentage in those games was better than their .549 win percentage for the season. The catcher ERA when Wieters...
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Overlooked no more: Donnie Hart came up big in O's bullpen

Overlooked no more: Donnie Hart came up big in O's bullpen
Can a player drafted in the 27th round - one who was never considered a top prospect and has never advanced to Triple-A - help the Orioles? He can if that player is pitcher Donnie Hart. The lefty reliever is used to being overlooked. He saw 818 players taken ahead of him in the 2013 draft until the Texas State product heard the Orioles call his name. Desperate for a dependable matchup left-handed reliever, the Orioles turned to Hart mid-season. He made his big league debut July 17 at Tampa Bay,...
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Baseball America's John Manuel on Chance Sisco's defense

Baseball America's John Manuel on Chance Sisco's defense
He may not be hitting with big power right now, but no one is questioning O's catching prospect Chance Sisco's ability to hit for a high batting average on the farm. It is a big reason he was named by Baseball America on Monday as the Orioles' No. 1 prospect. Baseball America's John Manuel called him "a true No. 1 prospect. You have a guy that, for more organizations than not, would be a No. 1 prospect." At just 21, Sisco rises to the top of the list of Orioles prospects after being...
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The allure of the baseball prospect

The allure of the baseball prospect
There is something intriguing about a baseball prospect. He provides hope of what he might become and how he can help the team. The highly-ranked prospect gets fans excited. They dare to dream that these players may become All-Stars or even something more like an elite talent that can lift up an entire franchise. There is always hope of a brighter future and that the young kid getting some hype now might later be the next big thing. Two days ago, I wrote this story and it got a lot of reaction....
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O's coach Bobby Dickerson has his winter ball team in first place

O's coach Bobby Dickerson has his winter ball team in first place
During the stretch on the calender where he could be enjoying some well-deserved time away from baseball after a long season, Orioles third base coach Bobby Dickerson is still going to a ballpark every day. After turning down several chances over the years to manage winter ball, except for one season in Mexico, Dickerson decided to accept an offer this year. One week into the season in the Dominican Republic, he has led Gigantes del Cibao to a 6-1 mark, the best record in the six-team league....
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Trading All-Star Orioles right now is not the best move

Trading All-Star Orioles right now is not the best move
They are two of the better players on the Orioles. Maybe they are the two best. But would it make any sense to part with either in a trade - under certain circumstances? I speak of closer Zach Britton and third baseman Manny Machado. Both are under team control through 2018 and will be free agents after that season. So they have at least two more years in the orange and black. But why even consider dealing Britton and/or Machado? With Britton, some feel the price in deals for elite relievers...
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O's closer Zach Britton named to Sporting News AL All-Star team

O's closer Zach Britton named to Sporting News AL All-Star team
Orioles closer Zach Britton, who was a perfect 47-for-47 in save chances this year, has been named to the Sporting News American League All-Star team, his first selection to the team. Britton went 2-1 with an ERA of 0.54 in 69 games. Over 67 innings, he allowed 38 hits (just one homer) with 18 walks, 74 strikeouts and a .162 batting average against. Britton gave up just seven runs (four earned) all year. From May 1 to the end of the regular season, he allowed one earned run over 58 games and 57...
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Are the Orioles looking at an active winter?

Are the Orioles looking at an active winter?
In a preview of the Orioles offseason, MLBTradeRumors.com yesterday started a write-up on the club this way: "With some key position players hitting free agency and a still-unsettled rotation, the Orioles are looking at another busy offseason." Is that really true? With six starters under contract for 2017 and a solid bullpen already on hand, this could be a quiet winter on the pitching front. Plus, the club is set with at least five of the eight spots on the diamond. They could retain Mark...
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Talking Orioles prospects with Baseball America's John Manuel

Talking Orioles prospects with Baseball America's John Manuel
Not only is catcher Chance Sisco the Orioles' new No. 1-ranked prospect according to Baseball America, but he is likely headed for the top 100 national prospects list, as well. Baseball America editor in chief John Manuel told me Monday that he now projects Sisco as a top 100 prospect, and that he personally would rank him in his top 30. The Baseball America top 100 list comes out in February. More on that in a moment. The Orioles' new top 10 prospects list was released by Baseball America...
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Baseball America's top 10 Orioles prospects: Chance Sisco is No. 1

Baseball America's top 10 Orioles prospects: Chance Sisco is No. 1
After he was drafted in the first round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, right-hander Dylan Bundy became the Orioles' No. 1 ranked prospect at the end of that season. And Bundy stayed as the club's top-ranked prospect every year after, even as he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2013. But with Bundy no longer eligible for prospects lists, there is a new Orioles No. 1. Catcher Chance Sisco's steady move up the rankings has led him to the top spot. When Baseball America released its latest...
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A look at two of the most improved players on the O's farm

A look at two of the most improved players on the O's farm
What a wild scene at Wrigley Field last night. And yes, 71 years is long enough. The Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to advance to the World Series for the first time since 1945. Now they look for their first world championship since 1908. Between 1908 and 1945, the Cubs lost the World Series seven times. The Cleveland Indians, the American League champs, have not won the World Series since 1948. The Indians will host the Fall Classic opener on Tuesday night. If there is a Game 7, it...
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What's next for Wieters?

What's next for Wieters?
He was the Orioles' first-round draft pick (taken No. 5 overall) in the 2007 draft. He has played 882 games in an Orioles uniform. But catcher Matt Wieters' time as an Oriole could be over now. The club has to decide whether it will make the pending free agent a qualifying offer and/or attempt to sign him to a new contract. Another option is to let Wieters leave via free agency and sign with another team. Wieters holds the cards now. He can accept and/or turn down any offer he...
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The 2016 postseason could lead to changes in bullpen usage ... or not

The 2016 postseason could lead to changes in bullpen usage ... or not
The dominant bullpen arms have been dominant in this postseason for several teams. They are pitching more innings. Some feel a trend is beginning, one where closers will begin to pitch earlier in games and perhaps throw more innings. The Dodgers' Kenley Jansen threw 51 pitches and 2 1/3 innings in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Nationals. The Indians' Andrew Miller has been completely dominant with 11 2/3 scoreless postseason innings. He's allowed five hits and two...
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Orioles' 2017 rotation: Turning six into five

Orioles' 2017 rotation: Turning six into five
The Orioles have one starter too many. Or maybe they have two fewer than they really need. Or maybe it is something in between. In terms of players under contract for their 2017 rotation, they have six pitchers for five spots with Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Ubaldo Jimenez, Yovani Gallardo and Wade Miley. Of that group, only Gausman could pitch in the minors unless it was on an injury rehab assignment. And sending Gausman out is not an acceptable answer or solution for having six...
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Can the Orioles afford to keep Mark Trumbo?

Can the Orioles afford to keep Mark Trumbo?
The Orioles' Mark Trumbo hit 47 home runs this year to lead all of Major League Baseball. He hit four more than any other player. But will his next homer come for another team? A free agent, Trumbo figures to garner some solid interest this winter and he could be in line for a sizable payday - one featuring a multi-year contract that the Orioles deem too rich to compete with. After the Orioles lost in the American League wild card game, Trumbo said yet again that he would like to be back next...
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Is Zach Britton's sinker the best single pitch in the majors?

Is Zach Britton's sinker the best single pitch in the majors?
Is Zach Britton's sinker the single best pitch thrown by any pitcher in the major leagues? You can make a strong case for that. After all, he was a dominant closer throwing mostly that one pitch and didn't blow a save all year. Britton led the American League and tied for second in the majors in saves. His 0.54 ERA with four earned runs allowed all year led major league relievers and was the lowest in major league history among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. Britton did that...
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Despite shaky second half, Jonathan Schoop had a solid season

Despite shaky second half, Jonathan Schoop had a solid season
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop turned 25 yesterday. The native of Willemstad, Curacao, is that rare international amateur signed by the club that made the majors. He is also entrenched as the Orioles' starting second baseman for at least the next few seasons, it would seem. And maybe well beyond that. After a sprained right knee in April 2015 limited him to 86 games and 321 plate appearances that year, Schoop played in every game last season with 647 plate appearances. The heavy load...
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Offseason edition No. 1: "10 Questions for O's Fans"

Offseason edition No. 1: "10 Questions for O's Fans"
Back by popular demand, it's "10 Questions for O's Fans" - the first edition since the 2016 season came to an end. Answer one question, all 10 or any number in between. Answer in a few words or a lot of words. But just please take time to answer a few questions in our latest effort to gain the pulse of Birdland. Leave your answers in the comments section. Today's 10 questions: 1) Who will lead the 2017 Orioles in home runs? 2) Who will lead the 2017 Orioles in stolen bases? 3) The...
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