Josh Land

Opposite dugout: Yankees have eyes on wild card as Jeter plays last series at Camden Yards

September 12, 2014, 4:37am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Yankees have eyes on wild card as Jeter plays last series at Camden Yards

Manager: Joe Girardi, seventh year Record: 75-69 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Brett Gardner (.269/.342/.442, 22 doubles, 8 triples, 16 HR, 56 RBIs, 81 R, 19 SB); CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.278/.338/.429, 26 doubles, 15 HR, 67 RBIs, 38 SB); RHP Brandon McCarthy (6-4, 2.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP); RHP Shane Greene (4-3, 3.57 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 3-8, 31 runs scored, 60 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 12: Brandon McCarthy vs. Kevin Gausman, 1 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 12: Bryan...

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Matthew Taylor: Showalter has changed his own script in Baltimore

September 12, 2014, 4:24am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Showalter has changed his own script in Baltimore

The Orioles haven't been doing much according to script since Buck Showalter arrived in town. Now, amid the euphoria of three consecutive winning seasons and what's turning into a runaway division title, the team's first since 1997, it's worth noting that Showalter himself is off script. He was supposed to have worn out his welcome by now; instead, his team is having its best year under his discerning watch. Showalter built three winners prior to his arrival in Baltimore, two of them...

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David Huzzard: How will Nats construct their postseason roster?

September 11, 2014, 5:33am

Nationals

David Huzzard: How will Nats construct their postseason roster?

It feels like it has been months that people have been debating who should be on the Nationals' postseason roster. The main focus of the debate has been which starter should go to the bullpen. All I'll say about that is tonight is a big start for Tanner Roark, who has regressed to the mean a bit since the beginning of August pitching 44 1/3 innings to a 3.65 ERA (while, in the same time period, Gio Gonzalez has pitched 40 2/3 innings with a 3.54 ERA). Not much difference in those numbers, but...

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Zach Wilt: Dominance of Red Sox erases memories of flops in Fenway

September 11, 2014, 5:09am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Dominance of Red Sox erases memories of flops in Fenway

I don't have the greatest of memories, but I vividly remember exactly what I did on June 30, 2009. It was another difficult season for my beloved Orioles, who were already seven games under .500 and losing 9-1 to the Boston Red Sox when a rain delay paused the game in the top of the fifth inning. My girlfriend, now wife, convinced me to stop watching and go out to dinner with her as the summer storm rolled through the city. We opted to pick crabs in Towson on that Tuesday evening, and out of...

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Opposite dugout: Mets the NL's hottest team as they welcome Nats to New York

September 11, 2014, 4:21am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets the NL's hottest team as they welcome Nats to New York

Manager: Terry Collins, fourth year Record: 71-75 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: 1B Lucas Duda (.248/.347/.477, 23 doubles, 27 HR, 81 RBIs); 2B Daniel Murphy (.301/.344/.422, 34 doubles, 9 HR, 53 RBIs, 73 R); RHP Bartolo Colon (13-11, 3.96 ERA, 1.16 WHIP); RHP Zack Wheeler (10-9, 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-10, 34 runs scored, 62 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 11: Bartolo Colon vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 12: Dillon Gee vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN2...

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Rachel Levitin: Storen showing 2012 collapse behind him during latest turn as closer

September 10, 2014, 4:57am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Storen showing 2012 collapse behind him during latest turn as closer

For three consecutive days, the Nationals have not only beaten their National League East opponents and whittled their magic number to 10, but relief pitcher Drew Storen has found himself closing out games and tallying saves. It's nice to see him back in that role after the rough end of season he found himself a part of in 2012 with the Game 5 collapse during the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Since 2012, the Nats have invested in multiple bullpen arms and...

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Daniel Clark: Untimely errors may cost Orioles AL's top seed

September 10, 2014, 4:48am

Orioles

Holding onto a 10-game division lead with a postseason berth looking more likely each day, the focus for many Orioles fans is now shifting toward whether or not their team can claim the American League's No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs. Currently, the Angels hold possession of this, four games ahead of the 85-59 Orioles. While there are many variables within each game that ultimately decide the result, the number of errors committed in the field and the impact they have is a variable,...

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Jon Shepherd: Does Chris Tillman qualify as an ace?

September 09, 2014, 6:05am

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: Does Chris Tillman qualify as an ace?

Should we now be referring to Chris Tillman as an ace? Well, it depends on what you mean. In the past, I have found that the most contentious part of the discussion is trying to define what it means to be an ace. Some like to think an ace is the best pitcher on a team, but that definition has some trouble. For example, think about the Diamondbacks with Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. They certainly were both aces. Others like to think of an ace as being one of the best 30 pitchers in...

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Dave Nichols: Defining moment is Nationals' to seize

September 09, 2014, 4:55am

Nationals

On Monday night, the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1. It might not seem like that big of a deal, but as each game passes we inch closer to the end of the regular season, with every game taking on additional meaning and importance. The past few seasons, the Braves have stood in the way of the Nats' playoff hopes, as the Phillies once did before they all got old at the same time. The divisional rivalry with the Braves has been studded with losses - particularly late, close losses that...

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Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche named National League co-Player of the Week

September 08, 2014, 12:17pm

Nationals

Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche was named the co-National League Player of the Week, sharing the honor with San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey. Major League Baseball made the announcement this afternoon on MLB Network. LaRoche, 34, opened the month of September on a powerful tear at the plate as he helped guide the Nationals to two pivotal victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. In earning his first NL Player of the Week honors, LaRoche hit...

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Orioles announce 2015 schedule

September 08, 2014, 9:54am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced they will open the 2015 season on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays before heading to Baltimore for their home opener at Oriole Park on April 10 against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles will again host each American League East rival three times. The Boston Red Sox will visit Baltimore April 24-26, June 9-11, and September 14-16. The Orioles will host the New York Yankees April 13-15, June 12-14, and October 2-4. The Rays will visit Charm City May 1-3 and 29-31,...

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Nationals announce 2015 schedule

September 08, 2014, 9:07am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today released their 2015 schedule, which includes 81 home dates, beginning with Washington's 82nd home opener since 1901 on Monday, April 6 vs. the New York Mets and is highlighted by 13 weekend series against, among others, the Phillies (three times), Braves (two times), Cubs, Pirates, Giants, Dodgers and Brewers. Washington's 2015 slate both begins (see above) and concludes (Sunday, October 4 at Citi Field) against the NL East-rival Mets. Washington opens '15 by...

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Opposite dugout: Braves hope to seize chance to get back in NL East race

September 08, 2014, 8:17am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves hope to seize chance to get back in NL East race

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 74-69 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Justin Upton (.284/.359/.511, 31 doubles, 26 HR, 91 RBIs); 1B Freddie Freeman (.289/.386/.473, 38 doubles, 18 HR, 70 RBIs, 89 R); RHP Ervin Santana (14-7, 3.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP); LHP Mike Minor (6-9, 4.65 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 9-4, 53 runs scored, 38 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 8: Mike Minor vs. Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Sept. 9: Ervin Santana vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m.,...

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Opposite dugout: Overhauled Red Sox playing better ball with skid behind them

September 08, 2014, 5:16am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Overhauled Red Sox playing better ball with skid behind them

Manager: John Farrell, second year Record: 63-80 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: DH David Ortiz (.263/.359/.515, 25 doubles, 32 HR, 98 RBIs); LF Yoenis Cespedes (.263/.303/.464, 34 doubles, 21 HR, 94 RBIs, 82 R); CF Mookie Betts (.287/.354/.470, 33 G, 7 doubles, 4 HR, 11 RBIs, 20 R, 5 SB); RHP Joe Kelly (3-3, 4.13 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 6-7, 45 runs scored, 55 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 8: Joe Kelly vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 9: Anthony Ranaudo vs....

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Andrew Stetka: Will homers help O's sink or swim?

September 08, 2014, 5:06am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Will homers help O's sink or swim?

We've all heard the saying "chicks dig the longball," and if that's the case, the Orioles must have a ton of female fans. Frankly, I think guys dig the longball just as much. It's exciting, and we men enjoy excitement, too. The Orioles have finished in baseball's top five in home runs every year since 2011. They led MLB last season with 212 bombs and are out in front this year with 188. There's another saying that says you live and die by the home run. When things are going well and...

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Marty Niland: Storen is right choice as Nats' new closer

September 08, 2014, 4:54am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Storen is right choice as Nats' new closer

It didn't take long for Nationals manager Matt Williams to reveal his next closer. Two days after Rafael Soriano blew his seventh save of the season and fifth since the All-Star break, Drew Storen emerged from the Nats bullpen in the ninth inning of Sunday's 3-2 win over Philadelphia and set the Phillies down in order. For fans weary of watching Soriano's ineffectiveness in recent weeks, a scoreless inning, let alone a clean one, was a welcome sight. Now it will be up to the Nats'...

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Hearing from Storen, Gonzalez, LaRoche and Hairston after win over Phillies

September 07, 2014, 2:45pm

Nationals

Hearing from Storen, Gonzalez, LaRoche and Hairston after win over Phillies

The Nationals salvaged their series against the Phillies with a 3-2 win on Sunday. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez outdueled fellow southpaw Cole Hamels for the win. The offense was powered by two solo home runs from Adam LaRoche and a sacrifice fly from Scott Hairston. Drew Storen also earned his second save of the season after working a perfect ninth inning. The win could not have come at a better time as the Nats begin a three-game series with the Braves tomorrow night. Here's what the...

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Early miscues hurt Nats (Nats win 3-2)

September 07, 2014, 9:58am

Nationals

Well, things are off to an interesting start this afternoon at Nationals Park. With one out in the top of the first, Grady Sizemore singled to center fielder Denard Span. With two outs, Marlon Byrd singled on a line drive to Span, which scored Sizemore. Byrd was able to advance to third following throwing errors by Span and third baseman Anthony Rendon. The Phillies lead the Nationals 1-0 at the end of one inning. The run was charged as an earned run to Gio Gonzalez, who threw 19 pitches...

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Nationals recall outfielder Michael A. Taylor, right-hander Ryan Mattheus

September 06, 2014, 8:39am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Michael A. Taylor and right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Taylor, 23, returns to the Nationals for the second time this season after hitting .304 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .526 slugging percentage in 110 Minor League games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. After hitting...

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Nationals recall infielder/outfielder Jeff Kobernus

September 05, 2014, 10:42am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled infielder/outfielder Jeff Kobernus from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Kobernus joins the Nationals for the first time this season after hitting .264 with a .347 on-base percentage in 73 Minor League games. After recovering from a fractured left hand suffered in early April, Kobernus returned to the Chiefs' roster on June 25 and...