Twelve Orioles Thoughts at quarter mark of 2026 season
Luke Jones offers his latest orange musings with Baltimore on pace for a 91-loss season after 41 games.
coby mayo
Craig Albernaz talks Povich’s injury, Gibson’s return, Mayo’s struggles as Orioles return home to face Athletics
Craig Albernaz talks Povich’s injury, Gibson’s return, Mayo’s struggles as Orioles return home to face Athletics
Luke Jones and Nestor recap a rare victory for Orioles in Miami as Basallo stars
Cycling through a variety of high draft picks who have scuffled early in their major league careers has been a way of life for the Baltimore Orioles over the past four seasons. Luke Jones and Nestor recap an all-too-rare rare victory for the Orioles in Miami as catcher Samuel Basallo stars with a homer short of the cycle and Adley Rutschman comes through in the clutch as the Birds bounce back from a nightmare weekend on Broadway.
Basallo finding the sweet spot as Orioles win in Miami
Cycling through a variety of high draft picks who have scuffled early in their major league careers has been a way of life for the Baltimore Orioles over the past four seasons. Luke Jones and Nestor recap an all-too-rare rare victory for the Orioles in Miami as catcher Samuel Basallo stars with a homer short of the cycle and Adley Rutschman comes through in the clutch as the Birds bounce back from a nightmare weekend on Broadway.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss future of franchise with Elias after Yankees sweep of Orioles
We’re all looking for answers after a hideous sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees in the Bronx. The Baltimore Orioles’ new ownership can’t like what it’s seeing on the field from the 2026 squad because none of us do. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the future of franchise with Mike Elias at the helm after an embarrassing weekend of baseball at Yankee Stadium for the Birds.
Orioles searching for collective souls in South Beach after hideous Bronx sweep
We’re all looking for answers after a hideous sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees in the Bronx. The Baltimore Orioles’ new ownership can’t like what it’s seeing on the field from the 2026 squad because none of us do. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the future of franchise with Mike Elias at the helm after an embarrassing weekend of baseball at Yankee Stadium for the Birds.
After being outclassed in Bronx, Orioles in need of shakeup at “crucial point”
With this year’s Orioles looking too much like last year, what is Mike Elias going to do about it?
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles taking two of three in Kansas City and headed home for BoSox
It’s been far from perfect but it’s been good enough for the Orioles to remain very much in the hunt in the American League East as the scuffling Boston Red Sox come to Camden Yards this weekend. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Birds taking two of three in Kansas City and tip-toeing through all sorts of injuries, cold bats and a bullpen that’s provided much-needed relief to help them hover near .500 while awaiting better health and Camden Yards cooking.
Orioles continue to contend in AL East despite injuries and slowly warming bats
It’s been far from perfect but it’s been good enough for the Orioles to remain very much in the hunt in the American League East as the scuffling Boston Red Sox come to Camden Yards this weekend. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Birds taking two of three in Kansas City and tip-toeing through all sorts of injuries, cold bats and a bullpen that’s provided much-needed relief to help them hover near .500 while awaiting better health and Camden Yards cooking.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles woes and frozen bats heading to Kansas City
Sure, it’s not the lineup that manager Craig Albernaz envisioned back in Sarasota in February but the Orioles need to figure out how to stop striking out and start hitting with runners in scoring position. Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones discussed the Birds’ struggles, including a five-game losing streak and scuffling through Kansas City waiting for the roster to get healthier and more productive.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss rotation and Orioles scraping by on any win possible in KC
Is there an “ace” in the starting rotation deck for the Baltimore Orioles? Sure, we all believed that Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish would make it look easy and that Shane Baz would pitch to his contract and Chris Bassitt would stabilize the staff and Zach Eflin…and then the season began. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Birds’ pitching depth and scraping by on any win possible in Kansas City.
When will the frozen Orioles bats thaw this spring?
Sure, it’s not the lineup that manager Craig Albernaz envisioned back in Sarasota in February but the Orioles need to figure out how to stop striking out and start hitting with runners in scoring position. Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones discussed the Birds’ struggles, including a five-game losing streak and scuffling through Kansas City waiting for the roster to get healthier and more productive.
Who can Orioles really count on to “pitch” in as innings add up?
Is there an “ace” in the starting rotation deck for the Baltimore Orioles? Sure, we all believed that Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish would make it look easy and that Shane Baz would pitch to his contract and Chris Bassitt would stabilize the staff and Zach Eflin…and then the season began. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Birds’ pitching depth and scraping by on any win possible in Kansas City.
Persistent concerns for Orioles’ offense go beyond their injuries
Coming off an injury-plagued 2025, Colton Cowser entered Monday slashing .174/.264/.196 through his first 54 plate appearances this season.
Luke Jones and Nestor dust off after three Orioles injuries and a pair of wins against Giants
Given the weekend’s injuries to Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler O”Neill to add to Zach Eflin’s Tommy John surgery last week, not much is ideal for rookie manager Craig Albernaz and the Baltimore Orioles just three weeks into a chaotic season of attrition. But, after taking two of three from the San Francisco Giants at Camden Yards, Luke Jones and Nestor are more than satisfied with the over .500 run in a mediocre-so-far division.
Orioles battling through injuries and pitchers and slumps yet still own a piece of first place in AL East
Given the weekend’s injuries to Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler O”Neill to add to Zach Eflin’s Tommy John surgery last week, not much is ideal for rookie manager Craig Albernaz and the Baltimore Orioles just three weeks into a chaotic season of attrition. But, after taking two of three from the San Francisco Giants at Camden Yards, Luke Jones and Nestor are more than satisfied with the over .500 run in a mediocre-so-far division.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts following series win over San Francisco
Baltimore lost as many players to injury as games played over the weekend, but Craig Albernaz’s club recovering to win two of three was encouraging.
Rutschman injury adds to Orioles’ challenging start to 2026
The two-time All-Star catcher went from being in Saturday’s original starting lineup to the 10-day injured list in under three hours.
Dear Mike Elias: A brand new season and manager means real fresh hope – and nowhere to hide anymore
I would’ve fired you last May when you fired your manager and then hid for three days. Your “leadership” stinks but I do believe your baseball team can be a playoff contender this summer. But on the heels of last place, at some point the record belongs to you…
Scar tissue from 2025 doing Orioles no favors navigating underwhelming start
Nine games shouldn’t change one’s expectations for 2026, but you’d like to see a few more encouraging signs in the midst of a 3-6 start.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts following series loss to Texas and 3-3 homestand
Samuel Basallo’s long home run helped cap the homestand with a win on Wednesday afternoon.
Allen McCallum dicsusses Orioles early strengths and weaknesses with Nestor as MLB season opens
With the first week of baseball in action, our longtime baseball insider Allen McCallum discusses Orioles early strengths and weaknesses and the much-discussed ABS system of balls and strikes with Nestor.
Getting into the swing of things with early Birds
With the first week of baseball in action, our longtime baseball insider Allen McCallum discusses Orioles early strengths and weaknesses and the much-discussed ABS system of balls and strikes with Nestor.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts following series win over Minnesota
It was hardly a flawless weekend, but Baltimore came away with a laborious 8-6 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts following Opening Day win over Minnesota
Trevor Rogers set the tone with seven shutout innings to earn the victory on Thursday afternoon.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss bad defense and many hopeful bats of Orioles as Opening Day awaits
We believe the Baltimore Orioles will hit the ball this year but will they catch it? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss last year’s bad defense, poor start and how the many hopeful bats of the Birds should pound their into a playoff caliber team as Opening Day awaits.
Sizing up Opening Day roster for 2026 Orioles
Luke Jones takes a look at the initial 26-man roster for new manager Craig Albernaz.
Swinging for the fences and a shot at October magic
We believe the Baltimore Orioles will hit the ball this year but will they catch it? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss last year’s bad defense, poor start and how the many hopeful bats of the Birds should pound their into a playoff caliber team as Opening Day awaits.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts entering 2026 season
New manager Craig Albernaz will try to lead Baltimore back to the postseason after a last-place finish in 2025.
Dear Alby: Welcome to Birdland and the low bar of high expectations
Before Grondahl and Bader and Griggs and Fine grab you and tell you all about me and my decades of orange civic mind crimes of baseball passion, let me make this clear: I am a true believer. I think the 2026 Orioles can win.
Four players pivotal to success of 2026 Orioles
With questions all over the bullpen, Baltimore needs Tyler Wells to be the reliever many have envisioned for years.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles spring training pathway to Opening Day and roster spots
As we watch selected spring training games on what’s left of the MASN television network, we see opportunity and the summer ahead for the Baltimore Orioles. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Sarasota innings and at-bats and what they’ll mean for skipper Craig Albernaz and the Birds as Opening Day looms and injuries abound in Florida.
Injuries open new path to an Opening Day roster spot in Birdland
As we watch selected spring training games on what’s left of the MASN television network, we see opportunity and the summer ahead for the Baltimore Orioles. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Sarasota innings and at-bats and what they’ll mean for skipper Craig Albernaz and the Birds as Opening Day looms and injuries abound in Florida.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts as World Baseball Classic competition begins
Adley Rutschman enters a pivotal 2026 after enduring struggles and injuries over the last season and a half.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Jordan Westburg injury and hopes for Coby Mayo at third base
It’s less than ideal so far in Sarasota that two emerging, young Orioles stars in Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are already lost for the start of the MLB season. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what it means for Coby Mayo and newly-acquired Blaze Alexander now that grapefruit baseball has begun and jobs are available in Baltimore.
With Westburg down, Orioles renew high hopes for Coby Mayo at third base
It’s less than ideal so far in Sarasota that two emerging, young Orioles stars in Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are already lost for the start of the MLB season. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what it means for Coby Mayo and newly-acquired Blaze Alexander now that grapefruit baseball has begun and jobs are available in Baltimore.
Orioles’ Westburg out through at least April with partially torn elbow ligament
Since playing in the 2024 All-Star Game, Jordan Westburg has endured a relentless run of injuries.
Projecting 2026 Orioles’ Opening Day roster ahead of Grapefruit League opener
Will Colton Cowser be able to handle center field every day?
Westburg’s health one of more pivotal factors for Orioles entering 2026
An oblique injury for the 2024 All-Star infielder wasn’t what you wanted to hear at the start of spring training.
Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday to open season on injured list after breaking bone in hand
The 22-year-old will undergo surgery to remove the hamate bone in his right hand.
