Andrew Stetka: After weekend sweep, O's back to sniffing postseason spot

Andrew Stetka: After weekend sweep, O's back to sniffing postseason spot
After a weekend sweep in Boston, the Orioles find themselves back in the thick of a playoff race that they really have no business being part of. Then again, none of the teams battling for the American League's second wild card spot have much of a claim to it. Outside of the division leaders, only the Yankees (who hold the top wild card position) and the Rangers even have a positive run differential this season. But after putting together a four-game winning streak to get back to .500, the...
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Opposite dugout: Unyielding Mariners in thick of wild card chase

Opposite dugout: Unyielding Mariners in thick of wild card chase
Manager: Scott Servais (2nd season) Record: 66-65 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: SS Jean Segura (.301, 18 SB), DH Nelson Cruz (.289/.372/.555 with 31 HR, 101 RBIs), 2B Robinson Canó (19 HR, 78 RBIs), 1B Yonder Alonso (.270, 24 HR), LHP Ariel Miranda (8-6, 4.62 ERA), RHP Edwin Díaz (30 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 28: LHP Marco Gonzalez vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 29: RHP Erasmo Ramírez vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 30:...
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Opposite dugout: Red Sox looking to stay hot in August

Opposite dugout: Red Sox looking to stay hot in August
Manager: John Farrell (5th season) Record: 73-54 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: RF Mookie Betts (.263/.339/.441 with 18 HR, 77 RBIs), SS Xander Bogaerts (.281/.341/.408 with 47 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.278/.356/.445 with 18 HR, 71 RBIs), LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 4.01 ERA), RHP Craig Kimbrel (1.33 ERA, 29 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 6-7 Pitching probables: Aug. 25: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Rick Porcello, 7:10 p.m., MASN Aug. 26: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez,...
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Dillon Atkinson: Since break, Mancini and Machado have flipped offensive production

Dillon Atkinson: Since break, Mancini and Machado have flipped offensive production
Prior to the All-Star break, Orioles left fielder Trey Mancini looked like he was Rookie of the Year-worthy, if not for Yankees' Aaron Judge posting Most Valuable Player caliber numbers. The 25-year-old rookie posted a .312/.354/.538 slash line with 14 homers and a 133 wRC+. Orioles superstar Manny Machado was on a different path, however, slashing .230/.296/.445 with 18 home runs and a 90 wRC+ through the first half of the season. Since the All-Star break, these two players are producing...
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Andrew Stetka: Mancini putting together special rookie year

Andrew Stetka: Mancini putting together special rookie year
The Orioles aren't going to have their first Rookie of the Year since Gregg Olson won it in 1989 this season, but they certainly have a guy who will be in the conversation. Trey Mancini burst onto the scene late last year with three homers in five games, and this year he's making his mark in the middle of the order for the Birds. During a season that has had a few more downs than ups, Mancini has been a consistent bright spot. Despite seeing his average drop 14 points in the last ten games,...
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Opposite dugout: After selling at last month's deadline, Oakland focused on future

Opposite dugout: After selling at last month's deadline, Oakland focused on future
Manager: Bob Melvin (7th year) Record: 54-70 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: LF Khris Davis (33 HR, 86 RBIs), CF Rajai Davis (.236, 26 stolen bases), 2B Jed Lowrie (.271/.346/.435), RHP Paul Blackburn (3.46 ERA), RHP Blake Trienen (2.65 ERA, 3 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 21: RHP Chris Smith vs. LHP Wade Miley, 7:05 p.m., MASNAug. 22: RHP Paul Blackburn vs. RHP Ubaldo Jiménez, 7:05 p.m., MASNAug. 23: LHP Sean Manaea vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 3:05 p.m.,...
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Zach Wilt: Looking at Chris Davis' approach at the plate

Zach Wilt: Looking at Chris Davis' approach at the plate
Thoughout 2017, Orioles fans have spent the majority of the season waiting for Chris Davis to look like Chris Davis. The slugger has played in 91 of the team's 121 games this season, slashing .221/.316/.426 with just 18 home runs and 46 runs batted in. We keep anticipating that surge, the stretch of games where Davis reels off homers in bunches, but so far it hasn't happened like we all became used to in the past. Davis hit 38 homers a season ago and a major league-leading 47 in 2015. He is...
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Cardboard to Leather collection scheduled for Sunday at Camden Yards

Cardboard to Leather collection scheduled for Sunday at Camden Yards
It's time to clean out your closets, dig into the corners of the garage and check your depository of old sports equipment for usable baseball gear that can be repurposed to new owners. The Oriole Advocates will hold their annual Cardboard to Leather collection before Sunday's Angels-Orioles game and until the second inning at all Camden Yards gates. Cardboard to Leather is one of the Advocates' signature programs, a means of collecting and distributing new or gently used baseball equipment...
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Opposite dugout: Resurgent Angels hold second AL wild card

Opposite dugout: Resurgent Angels hold second AL wild card
Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 62-59 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.340/.466/.679 with 23 HR, 55 RBIs), DH Albert Pujols (17 HR, 72 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.296, 12 HR, 55 RBIs, 17 SB), LF Cameron Maybin (25 SB), RHP Parker Bridwell (7-1, 2.88 ERA), RHP Cam Bedrosian (6 saves, 3.54 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 18: LHP Andrew Heaney vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 19: RHP J.C. Ramirez vs. TBA, 7:05 p.m., MASN...
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Dillon Atkinson: Does Jonathan Schoop deserve AL MVP consideration?

Dillon Atkinson: Does Jonathan Schoop deserve AL MVP consideration?
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has been having a career year, absolutely obliterating all of his prior season highs. Through 118 games, he's slashing .303/.354/.543 with 26 home runs and a 134 wRC+. His best season totals prior to 2017 was when he batted .279/.306/.482 with a 112 wRC+ in just 86 games in 2015, and he hit 25 long balls in a full 2016 season. He's on pace to hit well over 30 homers this season, which would be a first in his career. So far, he's definitely earned Most...
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Andrew Stetka: Rotation fixes still needed for O's

Andrew Stetka: Rotation fixes still needed for O's
Despite what you may have seen over the past few weeks, the Orioles still don't have a ton of pitching at their disposal. The starting rotation has been the weakest link on this team for years, and the 2017 campaign has been no different. O's starters have the worst ERA in the American League at 5.53, second-worst in the majors only to the Cincinnati Reds. Baltimore also ranks 13th in innings pitched from its starters in the AL, ahead of only the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox. On the...
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Opposite dugout: Mariners looking for first playoff berth since 2001

Opposite dugout: Mariners looking for first playoff berth since 2001
Manager: Scott Servais (2nd season) Record: 59-60 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: DH Nelson Cruz (28 HR, 93 RBIs), SS Jean Segura (.319 with 17 stolen bases), 2B Robinson Canó (.273/.335/.464), CF Jarrod Dyson (27 stolen bases), RHP Edwin Díaz (3.40 ERA, 27 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (6-1 in 2016) Pitching probables: Aug. 14: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo, 10:10 p.m., MASNAug. 15: LHP Wade Miley vs. TBA, 10:10 p.m., MASN2Aug. 16: RHP Ubaldo Jiménez vs....
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Zach Wilt: Manny Machado's luck

Zach Wilt: Manny Machado's luck
One of the best moves that the Orioles made at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline was rather under publicised. Sure, Tim Beckham has shown his importance, earning American League Player of the Week honors for going 14-for-24 (.583) in his first six games with Baltimore. Jeremy Hellickson has been a solid addition to the O's rotation, delivering quality starts in his first two outings against the Royals and Angels. But Manny Machado's resurgence in the second half has been incredibly...
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Win big with Maryland Lottery's Home Run Riches Second-Chance Contest

Win big with Maryland Lottery's Home Run Riches Second-Chance Contest
The Orioles bats are heating up which means they are climbing in the standings and just as importantly, the Maryland Lottery "Contestants of the Game" are winning more and more cold hard cash! On Sunday, the O's hit fivehome runs, which meant Margaret Piatt of Brandywine, Md., won $3,000! It was the 11th time this season the Orioles hit four or more home runs in a game. All in all, the Orioles have hit 161 home runs this season, third-most in the American League. How do you become a Maryland...
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Opposite dugout: Trading off assets means A's are focused on future

Opposite dugout: Trading off assets means A's are focused on future
Manager: Bob Melvin (7th season) Record: 50-64 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B Jed Lowrie (.271 with 33 doubles, 110 hits), LF Khris Davis (.242 with 31 HR, 80 RBIs), DH Ryon Healy (.255 with 21 HR, 63 RBIs), LHP Sean Manaea (8-6, 4.15 ERA), RHP Santiago Casilla (2-5, 16 saves). Season series vs. Orioles: 1st meeting (4-3 in 2016) Pitching probables: Aug. 10: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Chris Smith, 10:05 p.m., MASN2Aug. 11: RHP Ubaldo Jiménez vs. RHP Paul Blackburn, 10:05 p.m., MASN2Aug. 12:...
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Dillon Atkinson: Do Ryan Flaherty and J.J. Hardy have secure spots once activated?

Dillon Atkinson: Do Ryan Flaherty and J.J. Hardy have secure spots once activated?
With the great production coming from the shortstop position in the last week, you may have forgotten that Orioles infielders Ryan Flaherty and J.J. Hardy are going to be returning to the ballclub this month, barring any setbacks. Flaherty, who has been on the disabled list since May 19 with a right shoulder strain, is currently rehabbing at Double-A Bowie. His rehab assignment ends August 15, but manager Buck Showalter hopes he'll be ready to go sooner. Hardy was placed on the shelf June 19...
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Yard Work: Episode 13

Yard Work: Episode 13
Hey, Orioles fans. Welcome to another edition of Yard Work. On this episode... What a difference three weeks makes. Following their series finale against the Cubs, the Orioles were seven games under .500 and the future of the team -- from a poor starting rotation to an inconsistent offense -- looked bleak. But, that's the beauty of the trade deadline. They may not have been the flashiest moves made, but the Orioles added assets on both sides of the ball, acquiring shortstop Tim Beckham from...
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Andrew Stetka: Outside of Machado, O's have another looming free agency issue

Andrew Stetka: Outside of Machado, O's have another looming free agency issue
It's no secret that the Orioles have a little bit of a roster issue as they head forward. In the coming winter, the O's are bound to lose some key contributors from the roster. Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jiménez, Jeremy Hellickson, Seth Smith, Ryan Flaherty and Craig Gentry will all be free agents. They could also lose J.J. Hardy, Wade Miley and Welington Castillo, who each have options of some sort. Once the winter of 2018 rolls around, that list expands to include much bigger, even more...
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Opposite dugout: Angels looking to make playoffs with healthy Trout

Opposite dugout: Angels looking to make playoffs with healthy Trout
Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 55-57 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.343/.463/.703), DH Albert Pujols (17 HRs, 68 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.301/.353/.455), RHP Parker Bridwell (3.20 ERA), RHP Bud Norris (4.09 ERA, 18 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-4 in 2016) Pitching probables: Aug. 7: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. RHP JC Ramirez, 10:07 p.m., MASN2Aug. 8: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Parker Bridwell, 10:07 p.m., MASN2Aug. 9: RHP Kevin Gausman vs....
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Zach Wilt: Celebrating Buck Showalter's seventh anniversary as O's skipper

Zach Wilt: Celebrating Buck Showalter's seventh anniversary as O's skipper
On August 3, 2010, the Baltimore Orioles were 33-73, sitting in last place in the American League East, and 34 games out of first place. That day, Buck Showalter managed his first game for the O's and led the team to victory with a 6-3 win over the Angels. The Birds would go on to sweep Anaheim and win nine of their next 11 games. Showalter's club would finish the season 34-23 and he became the first skipper in major league history to take over a club in August and earn more victories the...
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