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.
kyle bradish
#ColumnNes: O, no! These Birds laid three Easter eggs in Pittsburgh as the bats blow cold into Chicago
Stink. Stank. Stunk. And suddenly the Baltimore Orioles are 3-6 and headed on a familiar course down, and quickly. Back in December, Craig Albernaz said the Orioles were going to “attack the fundamentals,” the little details, the cleaner brand of baseball that this franchise clearly did not play over the weekend in Pittsburgh. It’s getting late early for the good start we all expected around here.
Luke Jones and Nestor get Orioles fans ready for the road in Pittsburgh and Chicago and recap first homestand
It was the mediocre start that a 3-3 opening home stand would indicate and with Zach Eflin on the shelf and the bullpen uncertainly, Luke Jones and Nestor get Baltimore Orioles fans ready for the road in Pittsburgh and Chicago and talk some April Fools’ hijinks and Sidd Finch amidst the early spring weather reports.
The Orioles get outta town on first business trip to Pittsburgh and South Side of Chicago
It was the mediocre start that a 3-3 opening home stand would indicate and with Zach Eflin on the shelf and the bullpen uncertainly, Luke Jones and Nestor get Baltimore Orioles fans ready for the road in Pittsburgh and Chicago and talk some April Fools’ hijinks amidst the early spring weather reports.
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.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss first weekend of Orioles baseball and ABS system in MLB
It’s been a revolutionary, game-changing concept for the sports of baseball. The first weekend of the ABS system and the challenges of pitchers, catchers and hitters has changed the strategy every night in MLB. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the concerns, drama and impact of the “new” and improved strike zone.
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.
Making dollars and sense of Orioles commitment to Shane Baz
Sure, it’s a 5-year, $68 million commitment to a starting pitcher who hadn’t even thrown a pitch for the Baltimore Orioles, but let Luke Jones and Nestor tell you what makes sense about the dollars that Mike Elias gave new hurler Shane Baz and why it happened now.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Shane Baz contract and risk for Mike Elias and Orioles
Sure, it’s a 5-year, $68 million commitment to a starting pitcher who hadn’t even thrown a pitch for the Baltimore Orioles, but let Luke Jones and Nestor tell you what makes sense about the dollars that Mike Elias gave new hurler Shane Baz and why it happened now.
Having a ball with balls and strikes in first MLB weekend of ABS
It’s been a revolutionary, game-changing concept for the sports of baseball. The first weekend of the ABS system and the challenges of pitchers, catchers and hitters has changed the strategy every night in MLB. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the concerns, drama and impact of the “new” and improved strike zone.
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.
Orioles strike out 16 times, Bradish labors in 4-1 loss to Minnesota
Kyle Bradish struggled with his command, but Baltimore did very little offensively in its first defeat of the season.
Kyle Bradish labors after first time through order, takes loss in 2026 debut for Orioles
Kyle Bradish labors after first time through order, takes loss in 2026 debut for Orioles
Craig Albernaz discusses cold Orioles bats, Kyle Bradish’s outing after 4-1 loss to Minnesota
Craig Albernaz discusses cold Orioles bats, Kyle Bradish’s outing after 4-1 loss to Minnesota
Luke Jones and Nestor recap a successful Opening Day in Baltimore as Orioles beat Twins behind strong effort from Rogers
Seven strong innings from Trevor Rogers and a packed Oriole Park at Camden Yards kicked off the 2026 campaign in grand style with a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. Luke Jones and Nestor recap a successful Opening Day in Baltimore and opine about how true quality starting pitching can take the Birds to new heights with a soft schedule and lots to recommend the squad in the early going.
For starters, it was a great start to season for Orioles
Seven strong innings from Trevor Rogers and a packed Oriole Park at Camden Yards kicked off the 2026 campaign in grand style with a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. Luke Jones and Nestor recap a successful Opening Day in Baltimore and opine about how true quality starting pitching can take the Birds to new heights with a soft schedule and lots to recommend the squad in the early going.
Sizing up Opening Day roster for 2026 Orioles
Luke Jones takes a look at the initial 26-man roster for new manager Craig Albernaz.
Luke Jones and Nestor preview Orioles pitching and prep for long MLB season in bullpen for Birds
We love the starting rotation but about that untested bullpen? Luke Jones and Nestor get you ready for Opening Day and beyond with a full preview of the 2026 Baltimore Orioles and where the Birds will be flying in the American League East this summer – and hopefully, into the fall.
Can Albernaz manage the Orioles arms into October?
We love the starting rotation but about that untested bullpen? Luke Jones and Nestor get you ready for Opening Day and beyond with a full preview of the 2026 Baltimore Orioles and where the Birds will be flying in the American League East this summer – and hopefully, into the fall.
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.
In surprise move, Orioles option Dean Kremer to minors to set Opening Day rotation
Kremer led Baltimore in innings pitched last season, but he had a minor-league option remaining, which made room for Zach Eflin.
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.
Orioles bullpen begs more questions than you’d like for would-be contender
With few proven relief commodities, Baltimore is counting heavily on new closer Ryan Helsley to put a tough 2025 behind him.
Orioles name Trevor Rogers as Opening Day starter
Voted the 2025 Most Valuable Oriole after a stunning season, Rogers will be Baltimore’s starter on March 26.
Luke Jones and Nestor bring depth of Orioles pitching into focus as Kittredge goes down in Sarasota
As we march through spring on the road to Opening Day, Luke Jones and Nestor convened at Costas Inn in Dundalk to discuss the bullpen concerns of the Baltimore Orioles as pitching and innings come into focus as Andrew Kittredge goes down in Sarasota.
Bullpen depth and health continues to be a massive spring concern for Orioles
As we march through spring on the road to Opening Day, Luke Jones and Nestor convened at Costas Inn in Dundalk to discuss the bullpen concerns of the Baltimore Orioles as pitching and innings come into focus as Andrew Kittredge goes down in Sarasota.
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.
Allen McCallum returns for a spring training thaw and Orioles prospectus with perspective for long MLB season ahead
It’s early and the Orioles already have big injuries to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg that will affect the Opening Day roster. Allen McCallum returns for a spring training thaw and Birdland prospectus with perspective for the long MLB season ahead and the pitching it will take to contend in the American League East.
Trying to reason with long Orioles season ahead
It’s early and the Orioles already have big injuries to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg that will affect the Opening Day roster. Allen McCallum returns for a spring training thaw and Birdland prospectus with perspective for the long MLB season ahead and the pitching it will take to contend in the American League East.
Luke Jones and Nestor take another swing at Orioles spring with Westburg and Holliday injured
There are certainly reasons to be optimistic that the Baltimore Orioles won’t repeat a last-place performance in the American League East but losing two blue-chip, emerging players before March doesn’t lift hope. Luke Jones and Nestor take another swing at spring in Birdland with Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday injured before the team takes the field in Sarasota.
Taking another swing at spring training without Holliday and Westburg
There are certainly reasons to be optimistic that the Baltimore Orioles won’t repeat a last-place performance in the American League East but losing two blue-chip, emerging players before March doesn’t lift hope. Luke Jones and Nestor take another swing at spring in Birdland with Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday injured before the team takes the field in Sarasota.
Projecting 2026 Orioles’ Opening Day roster ahead of Grapefruit League opener
Will Colton Cowser be able to handle center field every day?
Orioles agree to terms with veteran starter Chris Bassitt to complete rotation mix
Baltimore will reportedly sign the soon-to-be 37-year-old to a one-year, $18.5 million contract.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts at start of 2026 spring training
Luke Jones offers his latest orange musings as pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm Orioles need before Sarasota to compete in AL East
The new ownership group reached deep into the monetary reserve to sign slugger Pete Alonso in Baltimore but what’s up with the pitching? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm the Orioles need in the rotation – not to mention a too-thin bullpen – in preparation for pitchers and catchers to report to the refurbished facility in Sarasota.
With spring nearly upon us, time running short for Orioles to punctuate encouraging offseason
Is another notable move coming before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota next week?
Are the Orioles really “armed” for April?
The new ownership group reached deep into the monetary reserve to sign slugger Pete Alonso in Baltimore but what’s up with the pitching? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm the Orioles need in the rotation – not to mention a too-thin bullpen – in preparation for pitchers and catchers to report to the refurbished facility in Sarasota.
