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MSB Weekly Magazine – 2026-08-16

Maryland’s Weekly Sports Magazine • August 9 – August 16, 2026

Maryland Sports Blog Weekly

O’Neill Delivers in Extras as Orioles Edge Rays 4-3

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3, in 10 innings Saturday night at Tropicana Field, earning their second consecutive one-run victory over the American…

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Brian’s Take: The Week That Was

Brian's Take recaps 23 MSB opinion takes published during the week. These are the key conclusions from MSB's reporting, analysis and game coverage.

1

O’Neill Delivers in Extras as Orioles Edge Rays 4-3

These are the games the Orioles have to win if they are serious about making a late postseason push. Baltimore did not play a perfect game. The defense contributed to Tampa Bay's first run, the bullpen surrendered the lead in the ninth, and the offense went quiet for several innings. But the Orioles kept fighting. Bradish battled despite not having his sharpest command. Alonso and Encarnacion-Strand supplied the power. O’Neill delivered when Baltimore absolutely needed a hit, and Sanders once again came through with the game on the line. Two straight one-run wins on the road against the best team in the American League is no small accomplishment. The Orioles dug themselves a significant hole…

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2

Henderson, Beavers Lift Orioles Past Rays, 6-5, to Snap Tampa Bay’s Nine-Game Winning Streak

This was exactly the type of game the Orioles have to win if they are going to make a serious late-season playoff push. Baltimore received quality starting pitching, contributions from the bench and, most importantly, a huge night from Henderson. Henderson has not produced at the superstar level Orioles fans expected for most of 2026, but there is still enough time for him to change the direction of his season. A four-hit performance against the best team in the division is a pretty good place to start. Beavers also continues to show why he belongs in the Orioles' plans. Coming off the bench with the game tied and the bases loaded is not an easy…

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3

Orioles Open Four-Game Road Series Against Red-Hot Rays

This is exactly the type of series the Orioles should want at this point in the season. Baltimore is no longer realistically chasing Tampa Bay for the AL East lead, but the Orioles still have plenty to evaluate following a dramatic trade deadline that changed the direction of the roster. Going into Tropicana Field against a 74-win Rays team riding a nine-game winning streak provides a great measuring stick. The first and third games look like Baltimore's best opportunities. Bradish gives the Orioles a significant advantage over Matz on Friday, while Young's 3.33 ERA makes Sunday's game against Peralta very winnable. Saturday is closer to a toss-up. Monday heavily favors Tampa Bay on paper with…

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4

Orioles’ Top Prospect Rankings Look Completely Different After Draft, Trade Deadline Shakeup

There are plenty of reasons for Orioles fans to be frustrated with how the 2026 trade deadline unfolded. Trading Adley Rutschman to an American League East rival was always going to be controversial, regardless of the return. However, separating that debate from the quality of the prospects Baltimore acquired, it is difficult to argue that the Orioles did not substantially strengthen their farm system. Eyanson immediately gives Baltimore one of the better pitching prospects it has possessed during the Elias era. Witherspoon carries first-round upside. Forret provides another legitimate starting option, while Azocar adds another talented young position player. Combine those additions with Booth, Dzierwa and Hunter, and Baltimore suddenly has another wave forming underneath…

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5

Orioles Blow Early Lead as Twins Rally for 7-5 Victory

This was the type of loss that becomes increasingly difficult to accept this late in the season. The Orioles did the hard part. They built a 4-1 lead on the road and gave their starting pitcher room to work. Baltimore needed a shutdown inning after Beavers' three-run homer. Instead, the Twins scored four times. That sequence decided the game. The Orioles showed some fight in the ninth when Taveras homered, but Baltimore had already wasted too many opportunities. Beavers providing power is encouraging, and another late home run gave the lineup something positive to take away from the afternoon. However, individual positives matter much less when Baltimore continues dropping games it had opportunities to win….

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6

Orioles Power Past Twins 5-2 Behind Three Home Runs, Strong Outing From Brandon Young

This was a much-needed response from the Orioles after Monday's frustrating loss. Baltimore did exactly what it needed to do against Ober: attack early. Alonso, Henderson and Encarnacion-Strand gave Young a four-run cushion by the second inning and a 5-1 lead by the third. Even more important was Young's ability to survive innings when Minnesota appeared poised to break the game open. Allowing only one run after the Twins loaded the bases with nobody out in the second changed the complexion of the game. The Orioles are only 58-62, so there remains very little room for prolonged losing streaks if they want to remain in the American League Wild Card conversation. What remains encouraging is…

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8

Orioles Add Another Top Prospect to Adley Rutschman Trade as Harold Rivas Heads to Baltimore

The Adley Rutschman trade was painful for Orioles fans when it happened, and nothing about acquiring another prospect changes what Rutschman meant to Baltimore. But judging a trade and judging the return are two different things. The Orioles received an enormous return. Adding Harold Rivas makes it even better. Baltimore now has Eyanson, Witherspoon, Azocar and Rivas — four prospects with legitimate upside — plus Narváez for Rutschman and Rogers. Rivas might actually be one of the most interesting pieces because he is only 18. There is a long development road ahead of him, but an athletic center fielder with plus speed, a strong arm, emerging power and a nearly $1 million international signing pedigree…

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9

Former Oriole Dean Kremer Dominates Baltimore as Twins Beat Orioles 9-5

This one has to sting. Dean Kremer was not just good against the Orioles. He completely controlled them. One hit in seven innings against a pitcher who had been part of Baltimore's rotation for years is difficult to explain. Baltimore's hitters were familiar with Kremer's repertoire, tendencies and approach, yet they still could not put together competitive offensive innings. The bullpen collapse made the final score look much worse, but the game was really decided by Baltimore's inability to generate offense early. Coby Mayo deserves credit for continuing to produce. His three RBIs gave Baltimore some life late, and he continues to make a strong case for a major role in the Orioles' future. But…

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10

Pete Alonso Powers Orioles Past Rangers 10-5 as Baltimore Avoids Sweep

This was exactly the kind of game the Orioles needed. Baltimore's offense had looked lifeless for most of the series, and another low-scoring loss would have been particularly damaging during an important stretch of the season. Instead, the Orioles showed what this lineup is capable of producing. Alonso was the star, but this was not simply a one-player performance. Holliday had two hits. Mayo had three. Cowser had two hits and finally broke his lengthy home run drought. Taveras had two hits. O'Neill provided another home run. Baltimore had contributions throughout the batting order. The biggest concern remains Povich. The Orioles cannot consistently rely on five or six innings from the bullpen, especially during a…

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11

Ravens Add Veteran Running Back Jonathan Ward to Bolster Training Camp Depth

The Ward signing is not designed to change the Ravens' offense, but it makes plenty of sense at this point in training camp. Baltimore needs healthy running backs to handle preseason carries without unnecessarily exposing Henry or Hill, and Ali's absence has created another opening. Ward is also more than just a camp body. He has survived in the NFL since 2020 largely because of his versatility, special-teams ability and willingness to fill complementary roles. Those traits are exactly what teams look for when deciding between players at the bottom of a roster. The Ravens already know him from his time with the organization last December, which should make the transition easier. Ward still faces…

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12

Ravens Dominate Eagles 24-7 in Jesse Minter’s Preseason Debut

You never want to overreact to a preseason game, especially one in which Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and most of Baltimore’s established stars never stepped onto the field. Still, this was about as encouraging of an opener as the Ravens could have hoped for. Minter’s first game as head coach featured exactly what Baltimore needed to see: young players making plays and fringe roster candidates giving the coaching staff difficult decisions. Fagnano may have been the biggest winner. Completing 22 of 28 passes for 224 yards while controlling the offense for most of the game is an excellent way to strengthen a case for the third quarterback position. Lane continues to look like one of…

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13

Kendall Lamm Retires Less Than Two Weeks After Signing With Ravens

The Ravens probably did not anticipate that finding a veteran backup tackle would become one of the strangest storylines of training camp. Baltimore has now signed two veterans specifically to provide tackle depth and watched both retire almost immediately. Neither retirement should cause panic. Stanley and Rosengarten remain the players Baltimore is counting on when the regular season begins. But the Ravens still need somebody to take these snaps. Baltimore has championship expectations, and protecting its quarterbacks — whether Lamar Jackson in the regular season or the backups during preseason — is too important to leave the tackle depth chart thin. DeCosta has always been aggressive when he sees a roster weakness, especially when veteran…

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14

Pernell McPhee Officially Retires as a Baltimore Raven, Closing the Book on a Super Bowl Career

Pernell McPhee may not have accumulated the accolades of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed or Terrell Suggs, but there should always be a place for him in the story of Ravens football. He was one of those players who seemed built for Baltimore. Physical. Tough. Versatile. Emotional. Unselfish. McPhee arrived as the 165th selection in the draft and became a contributor almost immediately. Two seasons later, he was a Super Bowl champion. He left, built a solid career elsewhere and eventually found his way back to Baltimore for three more seasons. More importantly, McPhee understood what playing Ravens defense was supposed to look like. Baltimore has had countless stars during its history, but championship teams also…

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15

Travis Jones Returns to Ravens Practice After Passing Physical

This is excellent news for the Ravens. Baltimore did not give Travis Jones a $40.5 million extension because it views him as merely another rotational defensive tackle. Jones has developed into an important starter and is coming off easily his best professional season. Any reported pectoral issue involving a 338-pound defensive lineman is going to create some concern, especially during training camp. The fact that Jones passed his physical and is already back on the practice field is therefore encouraging. Baltimore does not need Jones taking every possible preseason snap. The priority should be getting him completely healthy and ready for Sept. 13. The Ravens' defensive line has spent much of camp looking incomplete because…

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16

Ravens Place Skylar Thompson on Injured Reserve, Sign UFL Record-Setter Austin Reed

This is an unfortunate development for Thompson, especially after Baltimore brought him in specifically to provide veteran depth. The undisclosed nature of the injury leaves questions about exactly what happened, but placing Thompson on injured reserve this early indicates it was significant enough for the Ravens to make a roster move rather than simply allowing him to miss several practices. Reed is a fascinating replacement. The Ravens did not simply grab an available quarterback with NFL camp experience. They signed a player who just threw 21 touchdowns in a 10-game UFL season and broke the league's single-game passing record with 376 yards. Baltimore already knows what it has with Jackson and Huntley. Reed now becomes…

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17

Ravens Avoid Major Injury as Nate Wiggins’ Scary Practice Exit Reportedly Ends With Good News

Ravens fans had every reason to fear the worst Tuesday afternoon. Seeing Nate Wiggins unable to put weight on his leg and eventually leaving practice on a cart was one of those training camp moments that immediately makes everything else happening on the field feel insignificant. Fortunately, the early news could hardly have been better considering how concerning the injury initially appeared. If the report of no structural damage holds up, Baltimore may have avoided a potentially season-changing injury. Wiggins is no longer simply a young cornerback with upside. He has become one of the foundational pieces of this Ravens defense. His combination of length, speed, coverage ability and growing confidence gives Baltimore the type…

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18

Hershey Bears Re-Sign Calder Cup Hero Matt Strome for 2026-27 Season

Re-signing Matt Strome is exactly the type of move Hershey should continue making. Strome has become part of the identity of this era of Bears hockey. He plays hard, contributes defensively, has steadily improved offensively and already owns one of the most famous goals in franchise history. His 2024 Calder Cup-winning overtime goal alone ensured Bears fans would remember his name forever, but Strome has continued to prove that he is more than a player attached to one historic moment. Coming off a career-high 23-point season while wearing an "A," Strome remains a productive and trusted veteran. Hershey will have plenty of talented Washington Capitals prospects moving through Giant Center during the 2026-27 season. Keeping…

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19

Jovanny Zarzabal Returns to Coppin State Baseball Coaching Staff

Bringing Zarzabal back makes plenty of sense for Coppin State. He already knows the program, Reed and what it takes to win at Coppin State. More importantly, there are tangible results attached to his first tenure. The Eagles developed one of the stronger offenses in the country in several statistical categories and ultimately broke through with a MEAC championship and NCAA Regional berth in 2022. Zarzabal now returns with additional player-development and summer collegiate coaching experience. For a Coppin State program looking to build another championship-caliber roster, adding an assistant who has already helped the Eagles reach that level gives Reed an experienced and familiar piece for his coaching staff. Source: Coppin State University Athletics

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20

Former Morgan State Standout Stanley Davis Jr. Named Finalist for CEBL Sixth Man of the Year

Davis’ Sixth Man of the Year nomination is a well-earned recognition for a player who has built his career through versatility and persistence. He has traveled through Portugal, Bosnia, Georgia, the United Kingdom and North Macedonia, continuously adapting to new leagues and new roles. Now, in his first year in Canada, he became one of the best bench players in the entire CEBL. That says a lot. Davis is not dependent on one skill to stay on the floor. He can score, distribute the basketball, defend and create opportunities in transition. Those are the kinds of players coaches trust. They are also the kinds of players who can build long professional careers. Whether Davis ultimately…

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22

Nationals Blow Late Lead as Mets Rally for 5-4 Walk-Off Win

This is one Washington will feel it should have won. Lord's first inning could have buried the Nationals, but Dion gave them 4 1/3 outstanding hitless innings, and the offense eventually rewarded him. House's three-run homer completely changed the game, and Washington entered the ninth with a lead on the road. That has to become a win. Instead, a leadoff walk opened the door, three Mets hits followed, and a 4-3 advantage disappeared without Washington recording the second out of the inning. The young pieces continue to provide reasons for optimism. House went deep. Chaparro homered. Dion was excellent in long relief. But rebuilding teams eventually have to learn how to turn performances like this…

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23

Nationals’ Bats Go Quiet as Mets Rally for 4-1 Win

This is a frustrating loss because Alvarez pitched well enough to win. Holding an opponent to two hits through nearly six innings should give Washington an excellent chance, especially after the Nationals grabbed an early lead. Instead, one swing from Lindor changed everything. The bigger problem was what happened at the plate. Five hits, zero extra-base hits and 10 runners left on base is not going to get it done consistently. Washington did enough to create opportunities. Abrams reached base repeatedly, House had two hits and the Nationals drew four walks. They simply could not finish rallies. Alvarez remains one of the more encouraging developments for Washington. His ability to keep the ball in the…

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By the Numbers

45

Full stories

7

Sports sections

23

MSB Takes

8

Days covered

Quote of the Week

“Ravens were looking for a veteran tackle to get them through preseason but Kendall Lamm is the second guy they signed who retired during camp,” Zrebiec wrote Thursday.

Kendall Lamm Retires Less Than Two Weeks After Signing With Ravens

This Week in Maryland Sports

Full Issue

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Ravens

Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears

Maryland College Sports

Maryland High School Sports

Washington Mystics

Washington Nationals

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