Michael A. Taylor has been mostly an afterthought this season, relegated to part-time duties early on, then the minor leagues for more than two months, then relegated to virtually no playing time with expanded September rosters. And yet the 28-year-old outfielder might just have as strong a case as anyone to make the Nationals roster for Tuesday night's National League wild card game. And he might just prove to be quite valuable for a key moment in that game. With a full pitching staff...

While some fans around Birdland often wonder if Trey Mancini will be involved in trade talks this winter, we seem to be getting a different message from the team. The Orioles are obviously thrilled with the season Mancini has had and they respect his leadership. But even though he's had such a strong year, there is a thought that he may even be capable of more, both on offense and with his leadership in the clubhouse. Manager Brandon Hyde has talked with Mancini recently about hitting the ball...

We don't know yet when Stephen Strasburg will make his next start for the Nationals. Or his first career relief appearance. Or perhaps whether he'll take the mound again in 2019 at all. That dilemma will be resolved in the coming days by Davey Martinez and his coaching staff, not to mention the Nationals players who take the field Tuesday night in the National League wild card game and determine whether this wild season is extended to at least 166 games instead of only 163. For now, let's...

Whether his next start comes in the wild card game, the National League Division Series or not until 2020, Stephen Strasburg took the mound today needing to close out his strong regular season on a high note and help set the stage for whatever is next for the Nationals. Strasburg got off to a fantastic start against the Phillies, facing the minimum through three scoreless innings, striking out five of the nine batters he faced. Strasburg, possibly a candidate to start Tuesday night's wild card...

Today Major League Baseball is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Day and Roberto Clemente Day. Clemente was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player who played right field for 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 15-time All-Star died tragically in a plane crash while on his way to help earthquake victims in Nicaragua on New Year's Eve, 1972. He was 38. Clemente, as a baseball player and humanitarian, had a tremendous impact on Nationals manager Davey Martinez and his family. "Growing...

The Orioles won't finish with the worst record in baseball this season. Does it matter? That sound you might have heard following Wednesday night's game in Toronto wasn't champagne corks popping. The lockers inside the visiting clubhouse weren't covered in plastic. Players weren't covered in alcohol. First or second pick. Second or third. It won't alter the rebuild plan crafted by executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. Fewer or more losses than 2018. Still doesn't tweak the...

Nationals manager Davey Martinez rested stars Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon on Wednesday and the Nats still won 5-2 over the Phillies. Second baseman Brian Dozier led off for the first time this season and delivered a late homer in the win. Now the Nats go for a five-game series sweep of the Phillies with the idea of resting another one or two players as Tuesday's wild card game draws near. The Nats (89-69) want to keep winning to make sure they host that game. They lead the Brewers (88-70)...

The Nationals, as they have made clear for the last 36 hours, are motivated to get home field advantage for the wild card game. While they intend to give most of their weary lineup regulars and relievers at least one day off this week, they're still attempting to win as many games as they can in an attempt to ensure Tuesday night's winner-take-all contest is played on South Capitol Street. But it's no longer a formality who they will face in that game, no matter if at home or on the...

TORONTO - During a season where the 2019 Orioles suffered countless brutal losses, they kept coming back for more and sometimes emerged victorious. We can't give them too much credit for continuing to play since that is the job. But they kept their enthusiasm and energy up and never seemed to get too far down after losses like Monday's 15-inning affair at Rogers Centre. They won 11-4 the next time out with a very solid performance. They lost 3-2 last night, but even then rallied late and...

It is easy to see why fans go back and forth about which Nationals pitcher should start the upcoming wild card game Tuesday night. Max Scherzer? Most likely. Stephen Strasburg? Solid choice. Patrick Corbin? Very effective. But Aníbal Sánchez has also demonstrated he can keep the score down and go long into games. The right-hander did that again Wednesday night with seven strong innings in the Nats' 5-2 win over the Phillies. The Nats have won nine of their last 10 games against the...