The story of Rodriquez's season has been learning to pitch against top talent, and he found success by throwing fastballs for strikes to set up his secondary pitches. But he wasn't accurate enough Sunday, and his plan fell apart.
Many fans sitting through sweltering summer games welcome Mr. Splash's cooling outbursts after extra-base hits. Now that it's not quite so warm, Orioles fans are nevertheless hoping to get soaked. Because that means the O's are doing well.
We’ve created the definitive bandwagon guide to tell you everything you need to know before the Orioles hit the field Saturday in the American League Division Series.
For many Orioles, Saturday will be their first taste of the pressure and attention that comes with October baseball — the packed crowds, the primetime viewership, the knowledge that a loss could send them home.
The energy from the 43,150 fans — the fourth-largest home crowd this season — was enough to prod Baltimore to a 5-2 victory in the penultimate game of the year.
The Orioles and the state of Maryland have struck a nonbinding agreement that settles some issues but leaves plenty of questions before a new 30-year lease is final.