Opposite dugout: Pirates need series vs. Nats to keep wild card hopes alive

Opposite dugout: Pirates need series vs. Nats to keep wild card hopes alive
Manager: Clint Hurdle (6th season) Record: 76-76 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (24 HR, 75 RBIs), RF Gregory Polanco (22 HR, 85 RBIs), LF Starling Marte (.311/.362/.457), RHP Ivan Nova (5-1, 2.93 ERA), LHP Tony Watson (3.15 ERA with 15 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Sept. 23: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jameson Taillon, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 24: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Ivan Nova, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 25: RHP A.J. Cole vs. LHP Steven Brault, 1:35...
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Local U.S. Paralympic gold medalists to throw out ceremonial first pitches this weekend

Local U.S. Paralympic gold medalists to throw out ceremonial first pitches this weekend
The Orioles today announced that four Paralympians with local ties, including three gold medalists, will throw out ceremonial first pitches this weekend when the Orioles host the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final three-game series at Oriole Park during the 2016 regular season. On Saturday, Sept. 24, sisters Hannah and Tatyana McFadden, from Clarksville, Md., will throw out simultaneous first pitches. Hannah was born with a bone deformity in her left leg, which had to be amputated and replaced...
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Orioles reinstate right-hander Chris Tillman from the 15-day disabled list

Orioles reinstate right-hander Chris Tillman from the 15-day disabled list
The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated right-hander Chris Tillman from the 15-day disabled list. Tillman, 28, was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder bursitis on Aug. 24 (retroactive to Aug. 21). He is 15-5 with a 3.76 ERA (64 ER/153.0 IP), 126 strikeouts and 15 quality starts over 26 outings this season. The Orioles have gone 20-6 in games in which he has pitched this season. Tillman's 15 wins are tied for the third-most in the American League in 2016. In 175 career...
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District 34 podcast: Stephen Strasburg suffers elbow injury in return from DL

District 34 podcast: Stephen Strasburg suffers elbow injury in return from DL
First of all, we have some breaking news: District 34 is now on iTunes! You can subscribe through the iTunes store to have immediate access to new episodes as soon as they're available! Thanks to all our listeners, and we hope you continue to follow us for all your latest Nationals news and talk. So please subscribe, rate and review District 34 on iTunes and spread the word! Now back to baseball ... Wednesday's series finale saw the return of Stephen Strasburg to the mound at Nats Park after...
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Opposite dugout: Phillies still have part to play in playoff push

Opposite dugout: Phillies still have part to play in playoff push
Manager: Pete Mackanin (2nd season) Record: 62-77 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Odubel Herrera (.278 with 13 HR, 42 RBIs, 20 SB), 3B Maikel Franco (22 HR, 73 RBIs), SS Freddy Galvis (16 HR, 58 RBIs), RHP Jerad Eickhoff (10-13, 3.86 ERA), RHP Jeanmar Gomez (3.39 ERA with 35 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-11 Pitching probables: Sept. 8: RHP Alec Asher vs. RHP A.J. Cole, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 9: RHP Jake Thompson vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 10: RHP Jerad Eickhoff vs....
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Orioles reinstate left-hander Brian Duensing, designate right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne for assignment

Orioles reinstate left-hander Brian Duensing, designate right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne for assignment
The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated left-hander Brian Duensing from the 60-day disabled list and designated right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne for assignment. Duensing, 33, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 22 (retroactive to June 20) with left elbow inflammation. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on July 3. Duensing pitched in five rehabilitation games between Double-A Bowie (three games) and the Gulf Coast League Orioles (two games), posting a 1.00...
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Nationals recall right-hander Reynaldo Lopez

Nationals recall right-hander Reynaldo Lopez
The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. He will start Sunday night at Citi Field against the New York Mets. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Lopez will make the sixth start of his major league career on Sunday. He enters this start 2-2 with a 5.33 ERA in the big leagues this season with starts against Los Angeles (NL), San Francisco, Atlanta (2) and Baltimore on his...
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Opposite dugout: Baby Boomers keeping Yankees in contention

Opposite dugout: Baby Boomers keeping Yankees in contention
Manager: Joe Girardi (9th season) Record: 69-63 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: C Gary Sanchez (.374/.441/.798 with 11 HR, 21 RBIs), SS Didi Gregorius (.286 with 19 HR, 64 RBIs), 2B Starlin Castro (.269 with 19 HR, 64 RBIs), RHP Chad Green (2-3, 4.09 ERA), RHP Dellin Betances (2.12 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: 7-6 Pitching probables: Sept. 2: RHP Chad Green vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 3: LHP CC Sabathia vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 4: RHP Michael...
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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays can create some space atop AL East with trip to Baltimore

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays can create some space atop AL East with trip to Baltimore
Manager: John Gibbons (9th season) Record: 74-56 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Josh Donaldson (.294/.407/.578 with 33 HR, 91 RBIs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.270 /.360/.554 with 36 HR, 106 RBIs), SS Troy Tulowitzki (.253/.324/.465 with 22 HR, 65 RBIs), LHP J.A. Happ (17-4, 3.19 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (2.21 ERA with 29 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 7-6 Pitching probables: Aug. 29: RHP Marco Estrada vs. LHP Wade Miley, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 30: LHP J.A. Happ vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, 7:05...
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Opposite dugout: Rockies offense trying to carry club to first .500 finish since 2010

Opposite dugout: Rockies offense trying to carry club to first .500 finish since 2010
Manager: Walt Weiss (4th season) Record: 60-67 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Nolan Arenado (.286/.356/.567 with 34 HR, 108 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.344 /.416/.501 with 10 HR, 50 RBIs), CF Charlie Blackmon (.318/.378/.531 with 21 HR, 60 RBIs), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.313/.361/.544 with 23 HR, 80 RBIs), LHP Jorge De La Rosa (8-7, 5.07 ERA), LHP Boone Logan (3.11 ERA with 22 holds) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 26: RHP Jeff Hoffman vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m.,...
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Orioles recall Logan Ondrusek, option Parker Bridwell to Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles recall Logan Ondrusek, option Parker Bridwell to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Logan Ondrusek from Double-A Bowie and optioned right-hander Parker Bridwell to Triple-A Norfolk. Ondrusek, 31, pitched in three games with the Baysox this season, surrendering three earned runs over four innings, while striking out five. He posted a 6.75 ERA (4 ER/5.1 IP) over six games with the Orioles after being signed to a major league contract on July 29. In 287 career major league games, Ondrusek has gone 21-11 with a...
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Nationals acquire left-hander Marc Rzepczynski

Nationals acquire left-hander Marc Rzepczynski
The Washington Nationals acquired left-handed pitcher Marc Rzepczynski and cash considerations from the Oakland Athletics on Thursday in exchange for Minor League infielder Max Schrock. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Rzepczynski, 30, comes to the Nationals with a 1-0 record and a 3.00 ERA in 56 appearances out of Oakland's bullpen this season. An eight-year major league veteran, Rzepczynski has also enjoyed big league time with...
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District 34 podcast: Crossover episode with Yard Work

District 34 podcast: Crossover episode with Yard Work
The Beltway Series is a special time of the baseball season for the DMV area. No other area in all of sports has as unique a situation as we do with the Nationals and Orioles in terms of the history (or lack thereof) and the fan bases. So with a special series comes a special podcast as Byron Kerr and I welcome Brian Eller, co-host of the Yard Work podcast with MASNsports.com's Orioles writer Steve Melewski, to a crossover episode of District 34. To begin, we look back at the O's 4-3 win over...
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Orioles reinstate Matt Wieters from paternity list; option Caleb Joseph to Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles reinstate Matt Wieters from paternity list; option Caleb Joseph to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated catcher Matt Wieters from the paternity leave list and optioned catcher Caleb Joseph to Triple-A Norfolk. Wieters, 30, has hit .240/.294/.381 (75-for-312) with 12 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs over 91 games with the Orioles this season. The four-time All-Star ranks third in the American League with 43 RBIs as a catcher this season. Over 849 career major league games, Wieters has hit .256/.317/.419 with 110 home runs and 416...
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Opposite dugout: Baker has Nationals back on track for postseason

Opposite dugout: Baker has Nationals back on track for postseason
Manager: Dusty Baker (1st season) Record: 73-50 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Daniel Murphy (.345/.389/.607 with 23 HR, 89 RBIs), C Wilson Ramos (.322/.369/.526 with 19 HR, 67 RBIs), RF Bryce Harper (22 HR, 68 RBIs), RHP Tanner Roark (13-6, 2.87 ERA), RHP Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 3.59 ERA), RHP Mark Melancon (1.41 ERA with 36 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-4 in 2015) Pitching probables: Aug. 22: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 23: RHP...
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Orioles option right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne to Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles option right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne to Triple-A Norfolk
Following tonight's game, the Orioles announced that they have optioned right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne to Triple-A Norfolk. Despaigne, 29, surrendered four runs over three innings of relief in tonight's game against Houston. He went 0-2 with a 5.60 ERA (17 ER/27.1 IP) in 16 games with the Orioles this season.
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Orioles option right-hander Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles option right-hander Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk
Following tonight's game, the Orioles announced that they have optioned right-hander Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk. Wilson, 26, surrendered four runs over two innings of relief in tonight's game against Houston. He went 4-6 with a 5.38 ERA (54 ER/90.1 IP) in 20 games (13 starts) with the Orioles this season.
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District 34 podcast: Mark Zuckerman discusses Jonathan Papelbon (updated)

District 34 podcast: Mark Zuckerman discusses Jonathan Papelbon (updated)
We've got a special treat for you on our 10th episode of the District 34 podcast: MASNsports.com's Nationals beat writer Mark Zuckerman calls in to the show! With Byron Kerr out in Denver covering the Nats' series with the Rockies (and maybe or maybe not taking in some Broncos training camp), Mark was able to join me before he left for Atlanta. Our main talking point: the release of Jonathan Papelbon. Due to previously scheduled time off last weekend, Mark was not able to give you, the fans,...
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Nationals sign two-year player development contract extension with Hagerstown Suns

Nationals sign two-year player development contract extension with Hagerstown Suns
The Washington Nationals announced the signing of a two-year player development contract extension with the Hagerstown Suns of the Single-A South Atlantic League on Tuesday. The extension, which begins in 2017, runs through the 2018 season. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals vice president and senior advisor to the general manager Bob Boone, assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel Doug Harris and director of player...
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Opposite dugout: Poor pitching has held back Rockies' powerful bats

Opposite dugout: Poor pitching has held back Rockies' powerful bats
Manager: Walt Weiss (4th season) Record: 56-62 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Nolan Arenado (.282/.354/.556 with 30 HR, 93 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.331/.405/.477 with 43 RBIs), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.323/.371/.568 with 23 HR, 79 RBIs), RHP Chad Bettis (10-6, 5.27 ERA), LHP Boone Logan (2.86 ERA with 20 holds) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-3 in 2015) Pitching probables: Aug. 15: RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP Jorge De La Rosa, 8:40 p.m., MASN Aug. 16: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Chad...
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