craig breslow
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Season previews of the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays. - Free agent pitchers Doug Fister and C.C. Sabathia are among the pending free agents the Orioles could target this offseason.
- The improbable turned into the nearly impossible Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park, where the Orioles dropped an 8-0 decision to the Boston Red Sox.
- Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was out of the starting lineup for the sixth straight game on Saturday, still nursing back spasms that have sidelined him since Sunday.
- In his first time throwing since Sunday, Orioles closer Zach Britton took a big step forward to returning to game action before Friday¿s series opener in Boston
- Whether the Orioles' current surge will be enough to bring them back into the playoff race remains to be seen, but on Tuesday night, they played into extra innings with a definitive purpose.
- The last-place Orioles (7-10) didn't lose five in a row last season; it's their longest skid since dropping six straight in late September 2013.
- Teams are spending big money on relievers, but given the Orioles' model, don't expect them to sink significant payroll into the bullpen.
- Uncertainty still exists about Dan Duquette's future in Baltimore as he remains the subject of reports that he is a top candidate to take a higher level position with the division rival Toronto Blue Jays.
- The starting lineup the Orioles fielded Friday night against the Boston Red Sox was one more likely to be seen in March than September.
