Good Morning Birdland,
Everyone is still alive in the Division Series round of the playoffs.
It seemed like the Yankees were bound for a swift, sweeping exit, going down 6-1 through the first 2.5 innings
of Game 3 on Tuesday night But credit to them for fighting back and scoring eight unanswered runs to win 9-6 and forcing a Game 4 with the Blue Jays.
Game 3 of the Mariners/Tigers game earlier in the day was delayed by nearly three hours due to rain. Eventually it did get underway, although you may have had a hard time finding it since it was pushed to FS2 (sounds made up!) and MLB Network once the Yankees/Blue Jays game started. The Mariners were in control for most of the evening, eventually winning 8-4 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
That means we all get one final day of baseball madness. All eight teams will be in action, barring any poor weather. After today, there will be no more than two games on any one day for the remainder of the playoffs.
It all gets underway at 3 p.m. ET with Mariners/Tigers and will end with Phillies/Dodgers at 9 p.m. ET. All four series could end today, and they could also all be extended another game. Regardless, it should be a fun day of baseball.
Links
Taking a closer look at Orioles’ arbitration-eligible players | Roch Kubatko
It’s pretty tough to get inside Mike Elias’ head, but many of these are no-brainers. The team is going to strike a deal with Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Kyle Bradish, and Trevor Rogers, among others. Ryan Mountcastle feels like someone that could be on the chopping block. But it’s really anyone’s guess.
What do the Orioles need in a manager? 3 former skippers weigh in | The Baltimore Sun
I’m open to anything. Re-treads. Rookies. Whatever. The health of the players is the most important factor in whether the Orioles play well or not in 2026. Getting a manager that can maintain a solid vibe in the clubhouse is secondary, although still important in its own right.
The LA Rams will practice at Oriole Park before NFL game in London | The Baltimore Banner
It makes sense to let someone use the stadium this month. The Orioles don’t need it, unfortunately, and the Rams are going to pay for their use. So why not. It might sting a little bit since the Rams are probably going to beat up on a Lamar Jackson-less Ravens team on Sunday.
Orioles’ bullpen likely to look much different in 2026 | Baltimore Baseball
It better! This is the area of the roster that will get the biggest facelift this winter. The Orioles need lots of help, and closer might be right at the top of the list.
Poll: Should The Orioles Stick With Tony Mansolino? | MLB Trade Rumors
As of this writing, two-thirds of respondents think that the Orioles should move on. I would agree. Not because Mansolino did a bad job—he didn’t!—but the team needs culture shakeup. Hanging on to a coach that has been in the organization for several years now would not provide that.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Albert Suárez turns 36 today. The righty remerged in the big leagues with the 2024 Orioles after spending the previous six seasons playing in various foreign leagues. He is expected to be a depth option on the O’s pitching staff yet again in ‘26.
- Manny Barreda is 37 years old. He pitched in three games for the 2021 Orioles.
- Keith Reed celebrates his 47th birthday. The outfielder played in six games for the Birds in ‘05.
- Mike Morgan is 66 today. His MLB career spanned 22 seasons and saw him play for 12 different teams. That included a swingman role on the Orioles in 1988.
- Enos Cabell turns 76. He began his major league career with parts of three seasons as an Orioles utility option from 1972 through ‘74
- The late Bob Mabe (b. 1929, d. 2005) was born on this day. He pitched in two games for the Orioles in 1960.
This day in O’s history
2012 – The Orioles even up the ALDS with a Game 2 win over the Yankees. Wei-Yin Chen pitches into the seventh inning, Chris Davis drives in a pair with a bases-loaded single in the third, and Mark Reynolds drives in the winning run in the sixth.
2023 – Grayson Rodriguez gets knocked out Game 2 of the ALDS before the end of the second inning, and the Rangers lead the Orioles 9-2 after three innings. Home runs from Gunnar Henderson and Aaron Hicks help close the gap, but the O’s still lose 11-8. They now trail 2-0 in the series.
