masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWASHINGTON – The Orioles will try to avoid a sweep today while anointing Chris Jakubauskas the stopper in this rotation – at least for a day.

Brian Matusz says his left hamstring is a little sore today, as expected, but he feels much better, his mobility is good and he expects to make his next start. He’ll play catch today.

“It feels good,” he said. “It’s a little sore today, but my mobility’s really good. My flexiblity’s there. It’s just a little sore from the cramping. We’re going…WASHINGTON – The Orioles will try to avoid a sweep today while anointing Chris Jakubauskas the stopper in this rotation – at least for a day.

Brian Matusz says his left hamstring is a little sore today, as expected, but he feels much better, his mobility is good and he expects to make his next start. He’ll play catch today.

“It feels good,” he said. “It’s a little sore today, but my mobility’s really good. My flexiblity’s there. It’s just a little sore from the cramping. We’re going to do treatment on it today. I don’t sense that there’s going to be a serious problem.

“I knew yesterday that there wasn’t a strain or anything because I’ve felt a strain before in the hamstring and it wasn’t that type of feeling. It was just cramping in the muscle that made it a little bit sore today. It’s a good feeling knowing it’s nothing serious. I was able to get out of bed and touch my toes and stretch. It feels good.

“I’m going to do treatment today and we’ve just got to take it day by day. I’ll throw today. I won’t do my leg-lifting progression today. I’m bump that back to tomorrow. I’ll see how it goes today with the treatment and go day by day, but just based on how it feels now, it’s fine. It’s just a little sore.”

Jeremy Guthrie will throw a bullpen session today as he inches closer to making Tuesday night’s start in Pittsburgh. The chances increase significantly If he’s feeling good after leaving the mound.

For the Orioles:
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Derrek Lee 1B
Nolan Reimold LF
Mark Reynolds 3B
Craig Tatum C
Robert Andino 2B
Chris Jakubauskas RHP

For the Nationals:
Werth RF
Bernadina CF
Zimmerman 3B
Nix LF
Morse 1B
Espinosa 2B
Ramos C
Gorzelanny LHP
Cora SS

I’m pretty sure there’s a triple-word score with at least one pitcher’s name.