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
Rutschman
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.
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!”
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.
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 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.
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.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles depleted trade arsenal and realities of what to expect at MLB deadline
As the clock ticks on the Major League Baseball trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the suddenly depleted Orioles’ trade arsenal and the realities of what to expect from Mike Elias – and it isn’t “a haul” by any stretch of the orange imagination – for this last-place operation.
Elias won’t be able to trade ’em all away…
As the clock ticks on the Major League Baseball trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the suddenly depleted Orioles’ trade arsenal and the realities of what to expect from Mike Elias – and it isn’t “a haul” by any stretch of the orange imagination – for this last-place operation.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss trade options and philosophy of Mike Elias and Orioles
The MLB trade deadline beckons, last place in the American League East feels pretty concrete in July for the Baltimore Orioles and many of their organization questions dangle waiting to be addressed by Mike Elias this offseason. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the trade options and philosophy of the beleaguered Birdland insiders as local fans to turn to the purple birds and football season.
Luke Jones and Nestor react to Mike Elias comments and more Orioles losing after Hyde firing
The Baltimore Orioles fired manager Brandon Hyde on Saturday morning via a press release with quotes from David Rubenstein and Mike Elias. The owner and general manager then hid for three days while every player on the roster got asked about it on Preakness day. We think that’s lousy leadership. Luke Jones and Nestor react to Elias’ tardy comments on Tuesday in Milwaukee and more last-place Orioles losing after the Hyde firing. A shameful week and season in Birdland.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what happens next for failing and flailing Orioles headed to Anaheim
There will be no place for Brandon Hyde to hide if this continues. Sure, he didn’t buy the groceries (or the pitching) but the manager is usually the first one to go when a promising baseball team disappoints like the in-progress collapse of the 2025 Baltimore Orioles. Or, maybe it’s just a hitting coach or two? But in-season firings certainly feel immigrant after another Birds’ sweep in Minnesota where the bats remained painfully silent.
This is the kind of baseball that gets a manager fired
There will be no place for Brandon Hyde to hide if this continues. Sure, he didn’t buy the groceries (or the pitching) but the manager is usually the first one to go when a promising baseball team disappoints like the in-progress collapse of the 2025 Baltimore Orioles. Or, maybe it’s just a hitting coach or two? But in-season firings certainly feel immigrant after another Birds’ sweep in Minnesota where the bats remained painfully silent.
Allen McCallum and Nestor convene to discuss Orioles many troubling April issues
It’s getting late kinda early this spring as the Baltimore Orioles have provided an April thud. Our venerable Birdland (former) insider Allen McCallum joins Nestor for their 30th anniversary season of talking baseball, ownership, payroll and some wisdom on the importance of pitching.
McCallum: All of the April issues that ail Birdland
It’s getting late kinda early this spring as the Baltimore Orioles have provided an April thud. Our venerable Birdland (former) insider Allen McCallum joins Nestor once again for their 30th anniversary season of talking baseball, new ownership, payroll and some wisdom on the importance of pitching.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss job of Brandon Hyde and one hit in Washington for Orioles
The pitching is battered and bad. The bats have been silent and morale appears near rock bottom. The Baltimore Orioles are in a bad spot and Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the job of Brandon Hyde – the motivator and manager – as the slump worsens and the left-handed pitchers on the other side stack up on the hill. Twenty four runs allowed on Sunday. One lousy hit for the offense on Tuesday. Something’s gotta give…
Is Brandon Hyde the right leader for Orioles?
The pitching is battered and bad. The bats have been silent and morale appears near rock bottom. The Baltimore Orioles are in a bad spot and Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the job of Brandon Hyde – the motivator and manager – as the slump worsens and the left-handed pitchers on the other side stack up on the hill. Twenty four runs allowed on Sunday. One lousy hit for the offense on Tuesday. Something’s gotta give…
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss grave concern about Orioles early failures on mound and at the plate
The concerns for the pitching of the Baltimore Orioles remains a reality but the absence of runs and runners and hits and good plate appearances has been the most unsettling feature of a lousy start in a season of great promise. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss some grave concerns about the Birds’ early failures on mound and at the plate and where solutions might be coming.
Panic in Birdland? The Orioles’ start and starters begin with a suddenly empty plate
The concerns for the pitching of the Baltimore Orioles remains a reality but the absence of runs and runners and hits and good plate appearances has been the most unsettling feature of a lousy start in a season of great promise. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss some grave concerns about the Birds’ early failures on mound and at the plate and where solutions might be coming.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Eflin lat strain and Orioles bat problems in Arizona
The news about Zach Eflin being shut down leaves us wondering what the entire Orioles rotation will look like next week. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the pitching depth and sluggish bats on the Birds as they exit Arizona and head home for a wet weekend against Toronto. At least Cedric Mullins is seeing the ball well…
Orioles bear sore lats and sick bats in Arizona
The news about Zach Eflin being shut down leaves us wondering what the entire Orioles rotation will look like next week. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the pitching depth and sluggish bats on the Birds as they exit Arizona and head home for a wet weekend against Toronto. At least Cedric Mullins is seeing the ball well…
Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post joins Nestor and Luke to discuss MLB money, future and Orioles payroll realities
With Grayson Rodriguez and Andrew Kittredge unavailable for Opening Day, Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post joins Nestor and Luke at Pizza John’s in Essex on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to the state of the arms’ race in baseball and where the Baltimore Orioles will get innings this season.
Luke Jones and Nestor ponder the Orioles bottom heavy pitching prospects with Gibson return
With the late addition of Kyle Gibson to remedy the loss of Grayson Rodriguez to the starting rotation to start the campaign, Luke Jones and Nestor ponder the Orioles’ suddenly bottom heavy pitching prospects with injuries and one-year, veteran pitchers trying to keep a contender in games while Mike Elias and the organization regroup on the road to Opening Day.
Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post joins Nestor and Luke to talk Opening Day realities for Orioles
Can Adley Rutschman return to his All Star form? Will Gunnar Henderson be healthy in April? Can Jackson Holliday stick this time? Will Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg continue to surge? Our pal Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post joins Luke Jones and Nestor talk Opening Day realities for Orioles as the Maryland Crab Cake Tour moved to Pizza John’s in Essex for some expert baseball talk.
Realities of arms, pitching and money in MLB
With Grayson Rodriguez and Andrew Kittredge unavailable for Opening Day, Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post joins Nestor and Luke at Pizza John’s in Essex on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to the state of the arms’ race in baseball and where the Baltimore Orioles will get innings this season.
Time for Rubenstein to raise bar – and payroll – to get Orioles to October success
Can Adley Rutschman return to his All Star form? Will Gunnar Henderson be healthy in April? Can Jackson Holliday stick this time? Will Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg continue to surge? Our pal Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post joins Luke Jones and Nestor talk Opening Day realities for Orioles as the Maryland Crab Cake Tour moved to Pizza John’s in Essex for some expert baseball talk.
Is a “bottom heavy” starting rotation really World Series worthy?
With the late addition of Kyle Gibson to remedy the loss of Grayson Rodriguez to the starting rotation to start the campaign, Luke Jones and Nestor ponder the Orioles’ suddenly bottom heavy pitching prospects with injuries and one-year, veteran pitchers trying to keep a contender in games while Mike Elias and the organization regroup on the road to Opening Day.
Luke Jones and Nestor prepare for Orioles spring training storylines and Opening Day fun in Toronto
It’s always fun talking baseball after a long winter. With the Baltimore Orioles on the field showing new faces and dispatching images of spring training baseball from Sarasota, Luke Jones and Nestor prepare for the season ahead and the unique Opening Day circumstances and attendance in Toronto beyond Anthony Santander.
Spring training hopes and Canadian Opening Day dreams
It’s always fun talking baseball after a long winter. With the Baltimore Orioles on the field showing new faces and dispatching images of spring training baseball from Sarasota, Luke Jones and Nestor prepare for the season ahead and the unique Opening Day circumstances and attendance in Toronto beyond Anthony Santander.
Luke Jones and Nestor give January report card to Orioles offseason and discuss Santander heading to Blue Jays
He hit a lot of home runs, was a great clubhouse presence and came through the hard times as a Baltimore Orioles rising star and now he’ll be looking to beat them with the Toronto Blue Jays. Luke Jones tells Nestor this five-year deal isn’t a shock but replacing the productivity of Anthony Santander might prove to be harder than just signing Tyler O’Neill.
Saying “so long” to Santander as Tony Taters takes Toronto dough
He hit a lot of home runs, was a great clubhouse presence and came through the hard times as a Baltimore Orioles rising star and now he’ll be looking to beat them with the Toronto Blue Jays. Luke Jones tells Nestor this five-year deal isn’t a shock but replacing the productivity of Anthony Santander might prove to be harder than just signing Tyler O’Neill.
Allen McCallum and Mac Campbell share some Orioles offseason love and questions with Nestor at Amicci’s
Once he found out that his 1990s Orioles reporter and the guy who runs the Baltimore Convention Center were great friends, Nestor knew he had a fun holiday idea for a baseball, hockey and holiday set up at Amicci’s. Allen McCallum and Mac Campbell return – simultaneously – to share some Orioles offseason love, Ovechkin repect and holiday cheer from Little Italy.
Friends, Orioles baseball and the holidays
Once he found out that his 1990s Orioles reporter and the guy who runs the Baltimore Convention Center were great friends, Nestor knew he had a fun holiday idea for a baseball, hockey and holiday set up at Amicci’s. Allen McCallum and Mac Campbell return – simultaneously – to share some Orioles offseason love, Ovechkin repect and holiday cheer from Little Italy.
Thom Loverro of The Washington Times tells Nestor about deodorized burgundy and gold NFL franchise and emergence of Jayden Daniels
Thom Loverro of The Washington Times tells Nestor about deodorized burgundy and gold NFL franchise and emergence of Jayden Daniels
A packed house and big prices as Washington comes to Baltimore for a big football game
He spent two days at Camden Yards covering Orioles playoff games and will be eagerly awaiting this Jayden Daniels vs. Lamar Jackson matchup in Baltimore on Sunday. Thom Loverro of The Washington Times tells Nestor about the suddenly deodorized burgundy and gold NFL franchise and the emergence of the Commanders’ first superstar since Dan Snyder left Landover.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss chill of Orioles bats and necessary offensive productivity
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the chill of the Orioles bats and the necessary offensive productivity for a depleted pitching corps that can’t lose games like Monday night in New York. The Birds are going to need to score more than three runs to win.
Pitching woes aside, the Orioles need to hit the ball, too!
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the chill of the Orioles bats and the necessary offensive productivity for a depleted pitching corps that can’t lose games like Monday night in New York. The Birds are going to need to score more than three runs to win.
Baseball historian and author Rob Neyer talks past, present and future of Orioles franchise with Nestor
Baseball historian and author Rob Neyer talks past, present and future of the Baltimore Orioles franchise with Nestor. He also knows a few things about Adley Rutschman…
