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MSB Weekly Magazine – 2026-07-26

Maryland’s Weekly Sports Magazine • July 19 – July 26, 2026

Maryland Sports Blog Weekly

Beavers Walks It Off as Brandon Young Delivers Another Gem in Orioles’ 3-2 Win Over Braves

BALTIMORE — Dylan Beavers made sure the Baltimore Orioles would not suffer another late-inning heartbreak. Beavers lined a two-out, walk-off RBI single into right field in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday night,…

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Brian’s Take: The Week That Was

Brian's Take recaps 21 MSB opinion takes published during the week. These are the key conclusions from MSB's reporting, analysis and game coverage.

Beavers Walks It Off as Brandon Young Delivers Another Gem in Orioles’ 3-2 Win Over Braves

Dylan Beavers will deservedly receive the attention after delivering another memorable walk-off hit, but Brandon Young was the foundation of this victory. Young faced the National League East leaders and controlled the game for more than six innings. Atlanta entered the night at 61-42 and had won seven of its previous nine games, yet Young limited the Braves to one run and four hits. This was not an isolated performance. Young also delivered seven innings of one-run baseball against Houston in his previous start. His ERA now sits at 3.13, and the Orioles appear to have found a reliable young starter who can remain in the rotation beyond this season. Baltimore still has bullpen concerns….

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Baltimore Orioles Sign 16 More Draft Picks, Locking Up 18 Members of 2026 Class

The Orioles used this draft to address two different organizational needs. Booth, Head and Roberts give Baltimore another group of athletic outfielders with the potential to remain in center field. Roberts carries considerable risk as a 17-year-old prospect, but his size, speed and raw power make him one of the most exciting players in the class. Baltimore also devoted much of the draft to pitching. Voegele and Adams have the most complete present repertoires, while Norman represents the type of high-velocity developmental project the Orioles have pursued more frequently in recent years. Not every member of this class will reach the major leagues, and several will require years of development. Still, signing the first 18…

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Orioles Waste Trevor Rogers’ Strong Start in Crushing 7-6 Extra-Inning Loss to Braves

This was one of Baltimore’s most frustrating losses of the season because the Orioles received almost everything they needed from their starting pitcher. Rogers controlled the game for seven innings, did not walk a batter and left with a 3-2 lead. Baltimore’s offense created numerous scoring chances, and Encarnacion-Strand delivered four RBIs. The Orioles still lost because they failed in several critical areas. Baltimore did not add insurance runs when it had runners in scoring position. Garcia surrendered the lead almost immediately after replacing Rogers. The offense left the bases loaded in the ninth. Holliday’s error opened the 10th inning, and Olson delivered the decisive blow when Baltimore chose to pitch to him with first…

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Orioles Sign Second-Round Pick Ty Head, Continue Building Promising 2026 Draft Class

This feels like another smart pick by the Orioles' scouting department. Baltimore has consistently found success by drafting athletes and allowing its player development staff to maximize their potential. Head may not arrive in Camden Yards immediately, but he has the tools to become another important piece of the organization's future. Pairing him with Eric Booth Jr. gives Orioles fans another reason to be excited about the next wave of talent coming through the farm system.

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Bradish Shines in Debut After Extension as Orioles Beat Red Sox 5-1 to Split Doubleheader

Kyle Bradish looked like a pitcher determined to prove the Orioles made the right investment. The command was there, the confidence was obvious, and he attacked one of the hottest lineups in baseball from the first pitch. Baltimore may have lost the series, but finishing the road trip 4-2 while ending Boston's 15-game winning streak gives the Orioles momentum heading into their next homestand. If Bradish continues to pitch like this, the Orioles' rotation becomes much more dangerous during the second half of the season.

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Red Sox Strike Early, Hand Orioles 6-3 Loss as Baltimore’s Catching Woes Continue

The Orioles cannot continue spotting quality teams early leads. Boston took advantage immediately, and Baltimore spent the entire afternoon trying to climb back into the game. Even more concerning is the growing injury situation. Losing Basallo so soon after Rutschman leaves one of the club's most important positions dangerously thin. If the Orioles expect to stay in the playoff race, they will need healthier bodies, stronger starting pitching, and more timely hitting over the coming weeks.

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Orioles Drop Heartbreaker to Red Sox, 6-5, After Costly Defensive Mistakes at Fenway

This one will sting. Baltimore showed resilience by erasing deficits twice and received productive nights from Henderson, O'Neill, and Encarnacion-Strand. The offense was good enough to win. The defense was not. Four errors simply are not going to beat a playoff-caliber club on the road, especially at Fenway Park. The Orioles continue to show flashes of the offensive potential that fueled their recent winning streak, but until the defensive mistakes are cleaned up, games like this will continue to slip away. The good news is Baltimore remains very much in the fight with two games remaining in the series. Winning the next two would erase the disappointment of Monday night's loss and keep momentum alive…

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Orioles Place Adley Rutschman on Injured List, Recall Chadwick Tromp Ahead of Red Sox Series

This is unquestionably a setback, but it could have been much worse. The phrase "left wrist inflammation" is far more encouraging than structural damage or a fracture. The Orioles made the correct decision by placing Rutschman on the injured list immediately instead of allowing the injury to worsen. Chadwick Tromp gives Baltimore an experienced veteran who understands his role, and the organization has confidence in his ability to manage games behind the plate. The Orioles have fought their way back into contention through resilience all season. Now they face another challenge. If they can stay afloat over the next week while giving Rutschman time to fully recover, this roster move may end up being only…

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Orioles vs. Red Sox Series Preview: Baltimore Looks to Keep Rolling at Fenway Park

This is the Orioles' biggest series since their turnaround began. Sweeping the Astros was impressive, but Boston presents an entirely different challenge. The Red Sox have been arguably the hottest team in baseball over the past two weeks, and Fenway Park is never an easy place to play. The Orioles have momentum, confidence, and arguably their best baseball of the season behind them. Kyle Bradish gives Baltimore an excellent chance to win Game 2, while if Shane Baz can deliver a quality start in the opener, the Orioles could immediately put pressure on Boston. A series victory would move Baltimore closer to .500 while proving this recent surge is legitimate. Even taking two of three…

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Orioles Complete Sweep of Astros, Win Seventh Straight Behind Brandon Young’s Dominant Start

A week ago, the Orioles were searching for answers. Today, they leave Houston with a seven-game winning streak and a three-game road sweep over an Astros team that entered the series fighting to stay in the American League West race. The biggest story continues to be Brandon Young. Every outing strengthens the argument that Baltimore has found a legitimate front-of-the-rotation starter. His consistency has stabilized the pitching staff, and the offense is beginning to provide enough support to capitalize on those performances. Equally encouraging is the continued production from young players like Coby Mayo and Jackson Holliday. Veterans such as Gunnar Henderson, Taylor Ward, Pete Alonso, and Leody Taveras are contributing in key situations, giving…

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Orioles Shuffle Roster Before Series Finale as Sam Huff Joins Club, Ryan Helsley’s Injury Raises Concern

The Sam Huff promotion and Cam Sanders option are typical roster management moves that major league clubs make throughout a long season. Ryan Helsley's transfer to the 60-day injured list is different. Whenever an elite reliever is sidelined with recurring elbow discomfort, it is difficult not to worry about what comes next. Hopefully, the move is precautionary and Helsley can return later this season. Until the Orioles release more information, however, this has the potential to become one of the club's biggest injury stories of the second half. Today's game recap will likely make these moves even more important, as Huff was forced into action after Basallo's injury while Baltimore completed its sweep of the…

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Baltimore Ravens 2026 Training Camp Preview: Super Bowl Expectations Begin in Owings Mills

This feels like one of John Harbaugh's deepest rosters in recent years. Baltimore has star power on both sides of the football, championship expectations, and enough talent to compete with anyone in the AFC. The biggest question entering camp is not whether the Ravens have enough playmakers—it is whether they can solidify the offensive line, particularly at center. Ethan Pocic gives Baltimore an experienced option, but the competition with Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Corey Bullock should be one of the highlights of camp. If the Ravens emerge healthy and establish consistency up front, they will once again enter the regular season as one of the favorites to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LXI.

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Ravens Sign Veteran Center Ethan Pocic to Bolster Offensive Line

This is a classic Ravens value signing. Baltimore did not panic after losing Tyler Linderbaum. Instead, the front office waited for a proven veteran to get healthy and signed him to an incentive-laden deal. If Pocic returns anywhere close to the player he was in Cleveland, the Ravens may have quietly solved one of their biggest offseason questions for a fraction of what elite centers cost on the open market. Training camp will determine whether he wins the job, but on paper this is a strong, low-risk addition with significant upside.

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Hershey Bears Bring Back Calder Cup Champion Louis Robitaille as Assistant Coach

This is an outstanding hire for Hershey. Robitaille knows exactly what it takes to win in Chocolatetown because he has done it as a player. Just as importantly, he has spent years developing young players as a coach. With the Bears continuing to serve as Washington's primary pipeline, bringing in someone who understands both player development and championship hockey should pay dividends throughout the 2026-27 season.

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Hershey Bears Add Size and Depth to Blue Line with Pair of Veteran Defensive Signings

These are the types of signings championship organizations consistently make. While neither Biakabutuka nor Parsons will generate the headlines of an NHL free-agent signing, both fill important organizational needs. Biakabutuka's offensive production at the ECHL level suggests he could earn a larger AHL role, while Parsons provides the kind of size and toughness that becomes increasingly valuable during the grind of a playoff run. For the Capitals organization, adding experienced defensemen also creates competition throughout the system, ensuring prospects continue to earn their ice time rather than being handed roster spots. Hershey has built one of the AHL's most successful organizations by making smart depth moves like these, and these signings fit that philosophy perfectly.

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Morgan State Bears Looking to Build Momentum After Strong Showing at MEAC Football Media Day

Morgan State enters the 2026 season with legitimate expectations. Nine preseason All-MEAC selections reflect one of the conference's deepest rosters, and the Bears possess the veteran leadership necessary to challenge for a MEAC championship. If the offense can consistently capitalize on its playmakers while the experienced defense performs to expectations, Morgan State has every opportunity to make this one of the program's most successful seasons in recent memory.

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2026 UMBC Men’s Soccer Season Preview: Retrievers Looking to Take the Next Step

UMBC has become one of the state's most consistent soccer programs, and the Retrievers deserve more attention across Maryland. The early stretch against Saint Joseph's, Villanova, Penn, and George Mason will reveal how high this team's ceiling truly is. If UMBC survives that gauntlet and enters conference play healthy, the Retrievers have the talent to challenge for an America East title and another NCAA Tournament appearance.

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Towson Women’s Lacrosse Earns IWLCA Academic Recognition, Eight Tigers Honored for Excellence in the Classroom

Towson continues to show why it is one of Maryland's premier women's lacrosse programs. Success should never be measured only by wins and losses. Developing student-athletes who excel in the classroom while competing at a high level is equally important. Congratulations to Emma Baker, Halley Koras, Ocea Leavy, Cameron Levine, Katherine McCormick, Rory Turner, Shannon Sullivan, and Milana Zizakovic on earning national academic recognition. Their accomplishments represent Towson University exceptionally well and set a standard for future Tigers.

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Navy’s Hoke Smith II to Wear No. 68 in Honor of Fallen Teammate David Forney

Some jersey numbers represent greatness. At Navy, No. 68 represents something even bigger—brotherhood, service, sacrifice, and character. Hoke Smith II earned this honor because his coaches believe he reflects the same qualities David Forney embodied every day. It is a powerful reminder that while football games eventually end, the impact one teammate has on an entire program can last forever.

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Washington Wizards Summer League Recap: Young Core Shows Bright Future in Las Vegas

The Wizards finally appear to have a young core capable of changing the direction of the franchise. Dybantsa looks like a future superstar, Riley can become an instant-offense scorer, and Johnson adds another talented perimeter weapon. While patience will still be required, Washington fans have legitimate reasons for optimism heading into training camp. Summer League is only the first step, but this year's group gave Wizards fans something they have been waiting for—a glimpse of a brighter future.

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CJ Abrams Powers Nationals Past Diamondbacks, 5-3

Washington showed the type of resilience that playoff contenders need. After falling behind early against a club they are chasing in the Wild Card standings, the Nationals answered immediately with a four-run inning and never surrendered the lead. Abrams continues to emerge as one of baseball's brightest young stars, while Griffin has quietly become one of the National League's most dependable starters. If Washington can win Sunday's rubber match, it will gain valuable ground in what is shaping up to be a tight postseason race.

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By the Numbers

40

Full stories

7

Sports sections

21

MSB Takes

8

Days covered

This Week in Maryland Sports

Full Issue

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Help Oysters on Earth Day featured image

Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears

Maryland College Sports

Mustangs to Host MAC Championships for Second Time as the 2026 Cross Country Schedule is Announced featured image

Maryland High School Sports

Washington Wizards

Washington Nationals

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