Down 4-0 early, Orioles grind to 8-6 win over Minnesota to take season-opening series
Pete Alonso’s RBI single in the seventh put Baltimore ahead before closer Ryan Helsley registered his second save of 2026.
pete alonso
Pete Alonso discusses Orioles lineup battling back from early deficit to take series from Minnesota
Pete Alonso discusses Orioles lineup battling back from early deficit to take series from 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.
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.
Rogers throws seven scoreless, Helsley earns save as Orioles edge Minnesota 2-1
Baltimore won its fifth consecutive home opener to cap a fun-filled Opening Day.
Pete Alonso on reception from Orioles fans: “It’s a dream come true to have that feeling”
Pete Alonso on reception from Orioles fans: “It’s a dream come true to have that feeling”
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.
Allen McCallum and Luke Jones join Nestor for a full Orioles preview for Opening Day
Allen McCallum and Luke Jones join Nestor for a full Orioles preview for Opening Day
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.
Baltimore magazine editor Ron Cassie returns for baseball chatter and the art of Pete Alonso coming to Camden Yards
It’s always a wind-ranging flow when we invite Baltimore Magazine senior editor Ron Cassie by on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour but baseball was bound to be the main course this time at Gertrude’s in the aftermath of a New York Mets’ slugger signing to become a Baltimore Orioles hope this offseason. From MLB labor to The BMA art, spring into a long conversation about Pete Alonso, Frank Robinson, race and the future of the sport.
Our expert panel discusses what’s in store for Orioles this summer
We don’t convene two generations of WNST ballpark reports often enough but when Allen McCallum and Luke Jones join Nestor to talk Baltimore Orioles baseball, it’s always a good day on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour. The trio navigate Opening Day and beyond from Costas Inn in Dundalk with a resounding: “Play ball!”
ESPN legend Tim Kurkjian joins Nestor to discuss state of MLB and hope of Baltimore Orioles
It’s been too long since we’ve spent some quality time with ESPN legend Tim Kurkjian talking about baseball. The one-time Baltimore Sun beat writer for the Orioles joins his one-time colleague Nestor to discuss the state of Major League Baseball and the hope of Birdland as we get ready for first pitch and Opening Day at Camden Yards.
Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports gets Nestor primed for MLB season and an offseason of labor war
The lords of the realm will be back in full force as Major League Baseball is once again staring at a less-than-desirable labor war brewing between the players and owners. Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports gets Nestor primed for the MLB season on the field and how the contentious labor situation will inevitably affect this season and everything that follows.
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.
Importing Alonso means we’re talking baseball in March
It’s always a wind-ranging flow when we invite Baltimore Magazine senior editor Ron Cassie by on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour but baseball was bound to be the main course this time at Gertrude’s in the aftermath of a New York Mets’ slugger signing to become a Baltimore Orioles hope this offseason. From MLB labor to The BMA art, spring into a long conversation about Pete Alonso, Frank Robinson, race and the future of the sport.
The frigid reality of a half century of cold war between MLB players and owners
The lords of the realm will be back in full force as Major League Baseball is once again staring at a less-than-desirable labor war brewing between the players and owners. Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports gets Nestor primed for the MLB season on the field and how the contentious labor situation will inevitably affect this season and everything that follows.
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.
Author John Eisenberg returns to school Nestor on Orioles history and future Bird Tapes of the past
He came to Baltimore 40 years ago and became the venerable columnist at The Sun and then an insider with the Baltimore Ravens but his present passion was rooted in a late 21st century book on the history of Orioles baseball. Author John Eisenberg returns to school Nestor on Birdland lore and the future Bird Tapes of past glories. From Jesse Minter to Craig Albernaz, our mentor is always on point and separating fact from opinion.
A Baltimore “birds” past and present with John Eisenberg
He came to Baltimore 40 years ago and became the venerable columnist at The Sun and then an insider with the Baltimore Ravens but his present passion was rooted in a late 21st century book on the history of Orioles baseball. Author John Eisenberg returns to school Nestor on Birdland lore and the future Bird Tapes of past glories. From Jesse Minter to Craig Albernaz, our mentor is always on point and separating fact from opinion.
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.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the complicated complications of MLB labor situation and Orioles role
We’re all excited about the possibilities of the 2026 MLB season but the clouds of labor war are percolating even in spring training. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the complicated complications of six decades of Major League Baseball labor history and the bubbling situation for a salary cap. And what will the role of the new Baltimore Orioles ownership be in the looming dogfight?
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.
As MLB moves toward inevitable labor war, where do Orioles fit into the battle?
We’re all excited about the possibilities of the 2026 MLB season but the clouds of labor war are percolating even in spring training. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the complicated complications of six decades of Major League Baseball labor history and the bubbling situation for a salary cap. And what will the role of the new Baltimore Orioles ownership be in the looming dogfight?
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?
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.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles addition of Bassitt and Holliday injury along with pitching strategy of Elias
It’s already been a short week of additions and subtractions as the Baltimore Orioles sign veteran starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on a $18.5 million one-year deal and lost Jackson Holliday to a broken hamate bone, which changes the Opening Day lineup. Luke Jones and Nestor reset the Birdland expectations as Mike Elias still has some work to do on the bullpen and there’s action gearing up in Sarasota as spring training baseball begins next week in Florida.
Luke Jones and Nestor preview Orioles new look at spring training and talk MASN money and watching Pete Alonso swing for fences
As the Birds descend upon Sarasota and daily news leaks into the conversation, we’ll be covering the Baltimore Orioles better than ever. Luke Jones and Nestor preview the Orioles new look at spring training and talk MASN money and Bird watching as Mike Elias seeks to add pitching and Pete Alonso brings a captain ready to swing for the fence.
Adding Bassitt for real money and losing Holliday for real time
It’s already been a short week of additions and subtractions as the Baltimore Orioles sign veteran starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on a $18.5 million one-year deal and lost Jackson Holliday to a broken hamate bone, which changes the Opening Day lineup. Luke Jones and Nestor reset the Birdland expectations as Mike Elias still has some work to do on the bullpen and there’s action gearing up in Sarasota as spring training baseball begins next week in Florida.
Downloading into Sarasota and swinging for the fences
As the Birds descend upon Sarasota and daily news leaks into the conversation, we’ll be covering the Baltimore Orioles better than ever. Luke Jones and Nestor preview the Orioles new look at spring training and talk MASN money and Bird watching as Mike Elias seeks to add pitching and Pete Alonso brings a captain ready to swing for the fence.
Sports cartoonist Ricig joins Nestor with offseason realities for Baltimore Orioles and Ravens fans to reset
It’s always time well spent with our oldest sports newspaper pal and lifer cartoonist Mike Ricigliano, who resumed his Ko-host role at Koco’s Pub for “A Cup of Soup Or Bowl” talking about the Orioles and Ravens fortunes this year. But, more importantly, Ricig told Nestor the story about his wife’s family heading to Kenya to help families and children in need in Africa via Future In Our Hands charity mission.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts at start of 2026 spring training
Luke Jones offers his latest orange musings as pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota.
