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.
Coming off an injury-plagued 2025, Colton Cowser entered Monday slashing .174/.264/.196 through his first 54 plate appearances this season.
It was Nestor who took to Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday afternoon with some observations about the new “look” of the ballpark and a day when all of the 42s of Jackie Robinson needed a scorecard to see who was making the errors that cost them the game. Luke Jones discusses the outfield defense and injury problems as Cleveland is next up for the Birds as .500 feels about right.
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.
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.
After a sloppy weekend sweep in Pittsburgh, the Orioles took advantage of decent pitching and cold bats in Chicago, closing out a trio of wins that buoys the upcoming home stand against San Francisco and Arizona with some renewed optimism. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss all elements of a Birds team that is navigating a choppy start to the season with more injuries and help needed on the mound.
After a sloppy weekend sweep in Pittsburgh, the Orioles took advantage of decent pitching and cold bats in Chicago, closing out a trio of wins that buoys the upcoming home stand against San Francisco and Arizona with some renewed optimism. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss all elements of a Birds team that is navigating a choppy start to the season with more injuries and help needed on the mound.
There were not many signs of life in Pittsburgh this weekend for the scuffling Baltimore Orioles, who were swept by the Pirates and are headed to to frigid Chicago with ice cold bats. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss with disgust the Orioles lost Easter weekend at The Confluence.
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.
There were not many signs of life in Pittsburgh this weekend for the scuffling Baltimore Orioles, who were swept by the Pirates and are headed to to frigid Chicago with ice cold bats. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss with disgust the Orioles lost Easter weekend at The Confluence.
Samuel Basallo’s long home run helped cap the homestand with a win on Wednesday afternoon.
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.
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.
Trevor Rogers set the tone with seven shutout innings to earn the victory on Thursday afternoon.
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.
Luke Jones takes a look at the initial 26-man roster for new manager Craig Albernaz.
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.
With few proven relief commodities, Baltimore is counting heavily on new closer Ryan Helsley to put a tough 2025 behind him.
Adley Rutschman enters a pivotal 2026 after enduring struggles and injuries over the last season and a half.
Will Colton Cowser be able to handle center field every day?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is another notable move coming before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota next week?
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.
The newest and shiniest Baltimore Orioles addition arrived for a bizarrely timed Friday afternoon press conference at Camden Yards and won the day. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Pete Alonso emergence at The Warehouse alongside David Rubenstein, Mike Elias and Scott Boras and what the future holds for the slugger, whom the owner compared to Frank Robinson coming the Charm City.
The newest and shiniest Baltimore Orioles addition arrived for a bizarrely timed Friday afternoon press conference at Camden Yards and won the day. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Pete Alonso emergence at The Warehouse alongside David Rubenstein, Mike Elias and Scott Boras and what the future holds for the slugger, whom the owner compared to Frank Robinson coming the Charm City.
Friday’s press conference was fun and exciting, which aren’t adjectives we’ve used to describe the Orioles at this point in the offseason in a very long time.
It’s not our money and it made the baseball team better so there will be no complaining about Mike Elias taking the money of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti and investing in a legitimate attempt to win. The Baltimore Orioles got better with the signing of slugger Pete Alonso but they get $155 million better? Luke Jones and Nestor take a deep dive into the Birdland splash of MLB free agency.
It’s not our money and it made the baseball team better so there will be no complaining about Mike Elias taking the money of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti and investing in a legitimate attempt to win. The Baltimore Orioles got better with the signing of slugger Pete Alonso but they get $155 million better? Luke Jones and Nestor take a deep dive into the Birdland splash of MLB free agency.
The 31-year-old has hit 34 or more home runs in each of the last five seasons.
Ah, the risk and rewards and crazy retail price of Major League Baseball free agency begins with the Baltimore Orioles signing a closer and making noise about “being in on” more pitching. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ryan Helsley and the price of heroes at the Winter Meetings for a last place team with a lot of prospects in question.
Ah, the risk and rewards and crazy retail price of Major League Baseball free agency begins with the Baltimore Orioles signing a closer and making noise about “being in on” more pitching. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ryan Helsley and the price of heroes at the Winter Meetings for a last place team with a lot of prospects in question.
We’re pretty sure that the surprises of the Baltimore Orioles offseason are just beginning. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss where Mike Elias will go next in search of improving a last-place roster still in need of more pitching and punch than whatever help Taylor Ward will bring from Anaheim in the absence of Grayson Rodriguez.
We’re pretty sure that the surprises of the Baltimore Orioles offseason are just beginning. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss where Mike Elias will go next in search of improving a last-place roster still in need of more pitching and punch than whatever help Taylor Ward will bring from Anaheim in the absence of Grayson Rodriguez.
It’s pretty clear that Orioles fans thought more of the future of one-time ace pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez than Mike Elias did after dealing the 26-year with four years of MLB control to Anaheim for slugging outfielder Taylor Ward. Why did the Birds quit on GrayRod? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the philosophy and offseason strategy of new ownership with free agency looming.
It’s pretty clear that Orioles fans thought more of the future of one-time ace pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez than Mike Elias did after dealing the 26-year with four years of MLB control to Anaheim for slugging outfielder Taylor Ward. Why did the Birds quit on GrayRod? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the philosophy and offseason strategy of new ownership with free agency looming.
Once one of baseball’s top prospects, Rodriguez hadn’t pitched for Baltimore since July 31, 2024 because of injuries.