September is almost here and that means perfect weather and a list of storylines that lead to the postseason. The Astros and Yankees are going to win division titles in the American League, while the Twins try to hold off Cleveland in the AL Central. In the National League, the Dodgers are on cruise control in the NL West, while the Nationals in the NL East continue their push from a 19-31 start. The NL Central? The Brewers don't have the pitching, so that leaves the Cardinals and Cubs in a...

Hanser Alberto is leading off tonight for the Orioles, bringing a .407 average against left-handers to Kansas City that leads the majors. The 72 hits off left-handed pitching this season are tied with Rafael Palmeiro in 1996 for second-most in Orioles history. Palmeiro holds the club record with 73 hits in 1998. The last player to exceed 80 hits off southpaws was the Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki (84) in 2004. Alberto hasn't struck out in his last 44 plate appearances since Aug. 14, the longest...

Slowly but surely, the Nationals are getting their bullpen back. That is, the bullpen they acquired on July 31 but only had together for one game. Roenis Elías, who made just the one appearance before straining his hamstring, has been activated off the injured list and is available to pitch in tonight's series opener against the Marlins. And Hunter Strickland, who has been around for most of the last month, has returned from paternity leave. Needing to clear two roster spots, the Nationals...

The Washington Nationals made the following roster moves on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. * Reinstated left-handed pitcher Roenis Elías from the 10-day Injured List * Reinstated right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland from the Paternity List * Designated left-handed pitcher Matt Grace for assignment * Optioned catcher Spencer Kieboom to Double-A Harrisburg Elías, 31, returns to the active roster after being placed...

KANSAS CITY - The Orioles (44-89) begin a weekend series in Kansas City tonight at Kauffman Stadium. The O's split two games in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday to start this three-city, eight-game trip. Lefty John Means (9-9, 3.61 ERA) was reinstated earlier today from the family medical emergency list and will start tonight's game. Means allowed one run and five hits over seven innings on Saturday against Tampa Bay in his last start. Over his past two starts, Means has allowed three...

John Means has been reinstated from the family medical emergency list and is starting tonight in Kansas City, where he attended games as a kid. The native of Olathe, Kan., left the team Sunday after holding the Rays to one run over seven innings the previous night. The Orioles kept the matter private out of respect for Means and his family. Reliever Tayler Scott was optioned yesterday to Triple-A Norfolk, opening a spot on the active roster that Means is filling. Means has allowed three earned...

It was good to see Austen Williams back in the Nationals clubhouse during the Orioles series. The right-hander has missed 116 games on the injured list with a sprained right AC joint shoulder injury. He was originally put on the IL on April 19. The Texas State hurler appeared in two games against the Giants April 16-17 and got shelled, allowing six runs on five hits with just one out recorded. Incredibly, his ERA is listed at 162.00. After those games he felt significant shoulder soreness. The...

KANSAS CITY - As the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds charge toward next month's South Atlantic League playoffs we got another reminder this week of how special their pitching staff has been this year. It started Tuesday night with lefty Drew Rom and continued the last two nights with right-handers Gray Fenter and Grayson Rodriguez. The trio combined to pitch 16 no-hit innings, allowing one unearned run with two walks to 24 strikeouts. They seem to be getting better as this season goes on. Behind...

Leaving D.C. behind has allowed the Orioles to get back to a normal lineup. They can use a designated hitter again in Kansas City, which more easily puts Renato Núñez into play. Núñez started at first base Tuesday night against Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin, sending Chris Davis to the bench, and the arrangement could be repeated tonight with the Royals sending lefty Eric Skogland to the mound. Otherwise, Núñez is the DH as he tries to reach 30 home runs for the...

The Orioles released the following statement this afternoon: "In a continuing effort to create the most fan and family-friendly atmosphere in sports, this week at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, crews are extending protective netting at the same height of the existing backstop netting down each foul line to near each foul pole. The Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority, in conjunction with Populous and other experts in the field, researched all available options and performed due diligence...