Leading Off

Scott is “on assignment” at the beach this week, so we’re a day late, and sound funny. We braved modern technology to bring you this episode, and Scott recorded from where he does all his best work: the backseat of his car.

The Brian Roberts Watch (1:35) starts us off on a good note, as Roberts has done well in his games thus far. We give an account of his first game back, and (spoiler alert!) he homers later in the game as we record on Tuesday night. Roberts is stabilizing the 9-hole (2:43), but his role in the field is up for debate. Scott thinks that Roberts is best suited to DH, while Jake is willing to wait and see how much Roberts can bring defensively (3:20).

The Medical Wing is starting to empty out. Here’s a run down:

* Nolan Reimold is back with the team (4:40)

* Wei-Yin Chen is taking another rehab start, but should be back up on his next turn (5:49)

* Steve Johnson is throwing off flat ground, and is still several weeks away (6:36)

* Wilson Betemit (#SorryWilson) is nowhere near returning (6:14)

* Who the Hell is Steve Pearce (6:49) has made no significant progress, and will remain on the DL, especially with the roster crunch

 

The BEVys

The BEVys are rapidly approaching (7:44)! Remember to check out categories from:

* Baltimorons

* Section 336

* Eutaw Street Report

Over at Bird’s Eye View, vote in our two BEVy categories:

Biggest Regression to the Norm

Best Call (Announcer)

 

VOTE ORANGE

Most recent All-Star voting results show that Adam Jones has slipped to #2 in the outfield, and that Nick Markakis has fallen out of a starting position, holding at #4 behind Jose Bautista (8:22). We encourage ALL of Birdland to get out there and Vote Orange, to get Markakis back into the starting lineup.

Don’t let Canada win this. Their bacon is ham.

 

O’s in the Spotlight: National Media Weekend

Saturday on FOX

The Orioles were on full display on the national stage, as Saturday night’s game was broadcast on FOX, and Sunday’s game was selected for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball (11:05). The O’s weren’t even the butt of their jokes, as the Orioles represented themselves and the city of Baltimore well, winning both games.

The FOX broadcast was very complimentary to the Orioles, partially because for once it is the Orioles with the star-studded lineup, and the Yankees with a bunch of has-beens and never-will-bes (12:40).

FOX pregame activities included a Ken Rosenthal interview with Orioles PR Director Monica Barlowe (13:49), discussing her battle with lunch cancer (she’s a non-smoker), and raising awareness for Johns Hopkins Medicine. Definitely worth checking out.

 

Sunday ESPN

Jake and Scott had this game covered from all angles: Jake was in attendance, and Scott took in the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball broadcast.  The Orioles were good enough to show up in a big way – putting on a good show for a national audience (16:07).

The game was not a sell-out (16:33), but nearly so. As with any game against the MFY, there were way too many Yankees fans in attendance. (17:04).

Jake appeared (17:20) on the Kiss Cam (but, it should be noted, it was not with Scott), then chased a Yankees fan out of his section. Note to visitors: DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONE DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM (18:43).

The numbers were greatly in the Orioles’ favor, but there were just enough to be annoying. The crowd seemed a little up and down, regarding intensity (21:10).