Happy Friday, Camden Chatters! It’s the start of the weekend and it’s going to be lovely fall weather. Hopefully you can get out there and enjoy it.
The playoffs are still in full swing and, if you don’t
already know, I regret to inform you that the Dodgers are probably returning to the World Series. It’s not a done deal yet, but after another win last night, the Dodgers are on the precipice of their second straight World Series berth.
The Brewers, who led baseball with 97 wins, have gone completely cold in this round of the postseason. For the third straight game, the Brewers scored just one run. One run isn’t going to win many games. They’ve been stymied by the Dodgers’ starting pitchers. Last night it was Tyler Glasnow, who pitched 5.2 innings with one run allowed.
If the Brewers want to make it to their first World Series since 1982, they’ll need to pull off three straight wins. It’s been done before! But, you know, hardly ever.
In even more bad news, the Blue Jays. Before yesterday’s game, they removed Anthony Santander from the ALCS roster due to lower back tightness. The move makes him ineligible for the World Series, so it’s the end of a very disappointing season for the former Oriole. It also removes any possible good feelings I have about that dumb team.
Of course, the Blue Jays won again last night. Their victory evened the series at two games apiece. After the Mariners handled the Blue Jays for two games, the tables have turned. This time, the Mariners were thwarted by the 41-year-old Max Scherzer. After a disappointing season, Scherzer went out and pitched 5.2 innings last night. He was far from perfect (4 walks), but he got the job done.
Both the NLCS and ALCS are ongoing tonight. The Blue Jays and Mariners are up first at 6 pm to see which team can take control of the series. At 8:30, the Dodgers go for the sweep while the Brewers fight for their lives.
Links
What can the Orioles expect from Gunnar Henderson in 2026? – The Baltimore Banner
Jon Meoli has a deep dive on what happened to Henderson this year (when he was still pretty good) and what it means for his future.
Rams practice at Camden Yards – The Baltimore Banner
I don’t mean to double-dip on Banner stories, but their pic of football lines painted onto the outfield is pretty cool. The Rams played the Ravens last week and will be in London next week, so they are practicing in Baltimore to save travel time.
Orioles going without Gold Glove finalists in 2025 – MASN Sports
Shocker
Would a new Orioles GM hire a manager? – Baltimore Baseball
A reader asks Rich Dubroff if Mike Elias should hire a GM and then let the GM hire the manager. There’s no time for that, Joseph!
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have four Orioles birthday buddies, the most recent of which is Hanser Alberto (33). Singlin’ Hanser played for the Orioles in 2019-2020 as part of an eight-season career. 2019 was his best season when he hit .305/.329/.422 with 12 home runs. His 3.3 bWAR was fourth-best on the team.
Also born on this date are former Orioles Ken Dixon (65), Kelly Paris (b. 1957, d. 2022), and Jim Hutto (78).
Today in Orioles history is a real bummer. Only twice have the Orioles played on October 17th, and both times it was for game seven of the World Series. In 1971, the Orioles lost to the Pirates, 2-1 to lose the World Series. Mike Cuellar allowed both runs in eight innings pitched, including allowing a home run to Roberto Clemente.
In 1979, the Orioles again lost to the Pirates in game seven. In this game, it was future Hall of Famer Willie Stargell who led the way with four hits and a home run. The Orioles’ only run came on a Rich Dauer home run.
Let’s never speak of October 17th again.
