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MSB Weekly Magazine – 2026-09-13

Maryland’s Weekly Sports Magazine • September 6 – September 13, 2026

Maryland Sports Blog Weekly

Orioles fall behind early, lose 7-3 to Blue Jays

The Baltimore Orioles fell behind early and never fully recovered Saturday afternoon, losing 7-3 to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Toronto scored twice in…

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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

Orioles fall behind early, lose 7-3 to Blue Jays

The Orioles lost this game in the first three innings. Falling behind 5-0 is difficult enough, but doing it on the road against a division opponent gave Baltimore almost no margin for error the rest of the afternoon. Bradish simply was not good enough. He has the talent to be one of Baltimore's better starters, but surrendering five runs before the offense has even had much of a chance to settle into the game puts everyone else in an extremely difficult position. The Orioles need more consistency from him down the stretch. Baltimore also missed a major opportunity in the fourth inning. Henderson's double and Toronto's defensive mistakes gave the Orioles a chance to make…

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2

Orioles jump on Scherzer early, beat Blue Jays 7-4 in Toronto

Do not bury the Orioles yet. Baltimore put itself in a terrible position with its recent losing streak, but the Orioles have responded exactly how a team with postseason aspirations needed to respond. The offense has suddenly come alive, Beavers continues to look comfortable in important situations and Mayo is providing another dangerous power bat in the lineup. There is finally some momentum building at a point in the season when the Orioles desperately need it. Friday's win was especially meaningful because Baltimore did not simply beat a random opponent. The Orioles beat one of the teams standing directly between them and a potential Wild Card position, and they jumped all over Scherzer while doing…

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3

Orioles head north for critical three-game series against Blue Jays with Wild Card hopes on the line

The Orioles have spent much of 2026 fighting their way back into contention, falling away and then finding another way to make the race interesting. Wednesday's win over Cleveland kept the door open, but Baltimore is running out of opportunities to walk through it. With only 15 games remaining, there is no longer enough schedule left to simply wait for another hot streak. This weekend should be approached almost like a postseason series. Bassitt against Scherzer is winnable, and Bradish gives Baltimore a potentially favorable matchup Saturday if Toronto sticks with Arrighetti. Winning those first two would completely change the complexion of Sunday's finale and put pressure on Toronto, Cleveland and Texas. The Orioles probably…

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4

Orioles Part Ways With Vice President Matt Blood in Major Player Development Shakeup

This is a major Orioles front-office move because Matt Blood was not simply another executive buried somewhere on the organizational chart. He was directly involved in constructing the player-development system that helped turn the Orioles from a rebuilding franchise into an organization overflowing with legitimate major league talent. Baltimore's farm system became the envy of baseball during Blood's tenure, and that accomplishment deserves recognition. Gunnar Henderson and numerous other players did not develop because of one person, but Blood played a significant role in creating the coaching, technology and development infrastructure surrounding those players. At the same time, the Orioles cannot allow previous farm-system rankings to make them complacent. The challenge is no longer simply…

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5

Orioles explode for eight-run third, beat Guardians 9-5 to stay alive in Wild Card race

This was exactly the type of game the Orioles needed to win. Baltimore fell behind early, played without Henderson and Alexander and easily could have folded after another difficult start, but instead the offense delivered an eight-run response that completely changed the game. Beavers continues to show why he should be a major part of the Orioles' future, while Mayo's power surge is becoming another encouraging development during the final month of the season. The postseason odds are still working against Baltimore, and losing the season-series tiebreaker to Cleveland makes the three-game deficit feel larger than it appears. However, the Orioles cannot control what Cleveland does from here; they can only keep winning and put…

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6

Orioles’ comeback bid falls short in 9-5 loss to Guardians

The Orioles showed heart by turning what looked like a blowout into a 6-5 game, but moral victories have no value during a September playoff chase. Baltimore did the difficult part by climbing out of a six-run hole, only to hand Cleveland three unearned runs through a poor defensive decision. The offense also disappeared after Alonso’s home run and failed to produce a hit over the final 4 2/3 innings. This loss leaves Baltimore with virtually no margin for error. The Orioles now trail the team holding the final wild-card spot by four games, and Cleveland owns the tiebreaker. Baltimore needs to win Wednesday’s finale and follow it with a dominant road series against Toronto…

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7

Coby Mayo Homers Twice as Orioles Snap Six-Game Skid With 6-4 Win Over Guardians

This is what makes the Orioles so frustrating. Baltimore looked completely lifeless against Boston, scored one run over the final three games of that series and appeared to be watching whatever remained of its postseason hopes disappear. Then the Orioles come home, face one of the teams they are directly chasing, get 7 1/3 dominant innings from Trevor Rogers and suddenly look like a team capable of making September interesting again. Coby Mayo was the biggest difference offensively, and Baltimore needs to keep allowing him to become one of the faces of this lineup. Two home runs, 21 on the season and 16 against left-handed pitching are not numbers that can be ignored. Mayo possesses…

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8

Orioles Face Must-Win Test as Guardians Arrive at Camden Yards for Crucial Three-Game Series

This is it for the Orioles. There is no point sugarcoating a six-game losing streak in September when the team is chasing the opponent coming directly into Camden Yards for three games. Baltimore just got embarrassed in a four-game sweep by Boston, and if there is any legitimate fight left in this team, it needs to show up Monday afternoon. The frustrating part is that this roster is still talented enough to make things interesting. Alonso is having a strong power season, Henderson remains one of Baltimore's most dangerous players, Young has been excellent, and the rotation of Rogers, Young and Baz gives the Orioles three legitimate chances to win. They are not being asked…

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9

Orioles Embarrassed by Red Sox in Four-Game Sweep; Changes Need to Come

Craig Albernaz Should Be Fired I have tried to give Craig Albernaz a chance, but I have seen enough. The Orioles should fire Albernaz. This is not because Baltimore lost one game Sunday. Managers should not be fired because of one error, one bad pitching decision or one ugly series. It is about the entire body of work and what this team has looked like when the games have mattered most. Baltimore entered this weekend still fighting for a wild-card spot and playing a division rival at Camden Yards. The response was four consecutive losses, six total runs and back-to-back shutouts before Sunday's 17-strikeout performance. The Orioles finished the weekend on a six-game losing streak…

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10

Ravens overpower Imdianapolis Professional Football team 41-23 as Jackson, Henry dominate season opener

This is exactly what Ravens fans needed to see. Baltimore did not just beat Indianapolis. The Ravens imposed their style on the Colts and spent most of the afternoon looking like the vastly superior football team. Jackson looked comfortable, decisive and explosive. Henry looked nowhere close to finished. Flowers looked like a legitimate game-breaking No. 1 receiver. The offensive line created room, the defense forced turnovers and Loop showed that Baltimore may have found a kicker capable of handling high-pressure attempts from serious distance. The penalties need to come down, and the Flowers and Lane injuries need to be monitored closely. Those are legitimate concerns. But those concerns should not overshadow the larger picture. The…

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11

Ravens elevate Carl Jones Jr., Chris Moore ahead of season opener against Colts

The Chris Moore elevation is the move to watch Sunday. Moore is not being asked to suddenly become one of Baltimore’s featured receivers, but he is exactly the type of veteran who can help a team in Week 1. He knows how to play special teams, has more than enough NFL experience to step into the offense when needed and provides the Ravens with insurance if Walker cannot play. Jones’ elevation is equally logical with Buchanan ruled out. Baltimore cannot afford to enter the opener thin at linebacker, particularly with Minter beginning his tenure and calling the defense himself. The Webb move is disappointing because of the obvious connection his family has with the Ravens,…

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12

Jovaughn Gwyn Wins Ravens Starting Center Job Ahead of Week 1

Jovaughn Gwyn winning this job is one of the most fascinating developments of Ravens training camp. Baltimore signed Ethan Pocic because he had 97 career starts and appeared to provide the safest option at center, yet Gwyn performed well enough for the Ravens to trust a player with zero career NFL starts to protect Lamar Jackson and help lead an offense with Super Bowl aspirations. That says a lot about what Dwayne Ledford and Jesse Minter have seen from Gwyn behind the scenes. Ledford already knew him from Atlanta, and the Ravens clearly believe his intelligence, toughness and consistency outweigh his lack of starting experience. Baltimore has traditionally been willing to trust developmental offensive linemen…

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13

Capitals Bring Loaded 2026 Rookie Camp Roster to Annapolis

This might be called rookie camp, but several players coming to Annapolis have progressed far beyond the point of simply trying to introduce themselves to the Capitals. Protas, Hutson and Cristall are legitimate candidates to impact Washington in the NHL this season, and that makes this year's camp significantly more interesting. Protas winning AHL Rookie of the Year after producing 66 points is particularly difficult to ignore, while Hutson scoring 10 points in his first 14 NHL games provides Washington with another potential young difference-maker. The deeper story is that Washington finally appears to have several waves of prospects arriving at different stages. Protas and Hutson could help now, Cristall is pushing hard for his…

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14

T.J. Oshie named to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026

T.J. Oshie belongs in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame because his career represents so many different parts of American hockey. He became a high school star in one of the country’s great hockey towns, developed at North Dakota, built a long NHL career and delivered one of the most memorable Olympic moments Team USA has ever produced. For Capitals fans, the 2018 Stanley Cup will always be the centerpiece of his Washington legacy. Oshie brought scoring, toughness and personality to a team that had repeatedly fallen short in the postseason, and he was one of the players who helped finally push the Capitals over the top. The Sochi shootout made Oshie famous across the…

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15

Towson battles South Carolina before Gamecocks pull away for 45-9 victory

A 45-9 loss never looks good on paper, but this was not a game Towson was realistically expected to win. South Carolina is an SEC program with superior size, speed and depth, and Towson was playing its second FBS opponent in eight days. The Tigers were always facing an enormous challenge. There were nevertheless some legitimate positives. Towson was down only 17-3 at halftime and responded to South Carolina's quick third-quarter touchdown with an impressive 75-yard scoring drive. At 24-9, Towson was still hanging around deep enough into the game to force South Carolina to continue playing meaningful football. The two punt-return touchdowns were killers. Take those 14 points off the board and the game…

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16

Morgan State dominates Virginia-Lynchburg 55-0 in home opener

This was exactly the response Morgan State needed. There is no reason to pretend Virginia-Lynchburg is Arizona State, Towson or one of the stronger programs Morgan State will face during MEAC play. The Dragons were clearly overmatched, and Morgan State entered the game expected to win. But there is a difference between beating an inferior opponent and completely handling one. Morgan State completely handled Virginia-Lynchburg. The Bears scored touchdowns in every quarter. They did not commit an offensive turnover. Three quarterbacks threw touchdown passes. The defense recorded a shutout. Special teams blocked a field goal. Backups received meaningful playing time. That is how a team is supposed to handle this type of matchup. The most…

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17

Malik Washington leads Maryland past UConn, 38-14

Malik Washington looked like a quarterback capable of taking a major step forward this season. Completing 34 of 41 passes is impressive by itself, but the more encouraging part was how comfortable Washington became after Maryland's slow start. Once he settled into a rhythm, UConn had very few answers for Maryland's passing game. The receiving corps also looks considerably deeper than it did a season ago. Abdul-Rahim Gladding and Durr both topping 100 yards in the same game gives Maryland two legitimate weapons capable of creating explosive plays, while Washington showed he is comfortable distributing the football throughout the offense. If that continues, defenses will have a difficult time focusing their coverage on one player….

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18

Howard County Public School System to Host December Virtual Skilled Trades Information Session with Howard Community College

The December 2 virtual information session hosted by the Howard County Public School System continues to emphasize the importance of exposing students to skilled trades career opportunities early. Highlighting Howard Community College's Bell Trades Center and its accredited programs gives students in Howard County a direct path to explore training and fields poised for growth. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to diversified postsecondary options, preparing the next generation for evolving workforce needs and supporting the region's economic development. Source: Original report

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19

Guilford Park Panthers Boys JV Wrestling Scheduled for Old Mill Tournament on January 16

The participation of the Guilford Park Panthers JV wrestling team in the Old Mill Tournament represents an important step for the program's younger athletes to gain experience against regional competition. Tournaments like this are vital for building depth and preparing wrestlers to contribute as they move up in the program. It also strengthens the team’s presence within the Howard County wrestling community. Source: Original report

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21

Guilford Park Panthers Boys JV Wrestling to Compete at Glenelg Tournament December 5, 2026

Participation in the Glenelg Tournament offers the Guilford Park Panthers JV wrestling team an important opportunity to gain competitive experience early in the season. This event will allow younger wrestlers to develop skills and prepare for the regular season ahead, contributing to the growth and depth of the Panthers wrestling program within Howard County and the wider Maryland high school wrestling community. Source: Original report

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22

Nationals survive bullpen collapse, walk off Angels 6-5 in 10 innings

Andrew Alvarez deserved a much easier victory than this. Seven shutout innings, one hit allowed and eight strikeouts should have resulted in a comfortable win, but Washington's bullpen turned another strong starting pitching performance into a late-game scramble. The bullpen remains the biggest problem with this team. An MLB-record 39 blown saves is not just bad luck or a handful of isolated mistakes. It is a season-long issue that has repeatedly wasted quality starts and put unnecessary pressure on a young lineup. The positive is that Washington did not fold after losing the lead. Chaparro delivered in the ninth, Sinclair stabilized things on the mound, and Abrams created the winning opportunity with aggressive baserunning in…

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23

Nationals rally past Angels 4-3 behind late Vivas double, snap seven-game losing streak

This is exactly the type of win the Nationals need during the final weeks of the season. Washington is not headed to the postseason, so wins and losses cannot be evaluated only through the standings anymore. Development matters, and Friday night's victory was largely driven by the young players the Nationals need to become the foundation of their future. Cavalli struck out nine and gave Washington six quality innings. Wood delivered a clutch two-out hit. House reached base to begin the eighth-inning rally. Abrams followed with a hit. Crews used his speed and baseball instincts to reach on a bunt. Morales stole second. Pinckney produced the sacrifice fly. Vivas delivered the biggest hit. That is…

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By the Numbers

40

Full stories

6

Sports sections

23

MSB Takes

8

Days covered

This Week in Maryland Sports

Full Issue

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Ravens

Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears

Maryland College Sports

Maryland High School Sports

Washington Nationals

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