Manager: Joe Maddon (4th season) Record: 82-57 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Javier Báez (.297 with 30 HR, 100 RBIs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (24 HR, 90 RBIs), 3B Kris Bryant (.277, 11 HR), LF Kyle Schwarber (24 HR, 57 RBIs), LHP Jon Lester (15-5, 3.53 ERA), LHP Cole Hamels (4-0, 1.00), RHP Pedro Strop (11 saves, 2.45 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Sept. 6: RHP Kyle Hendricks (11-10) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (7-7), 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 7: LHP Jon Lester (15-5) vs....

Can the Nationals play well enough tonight to take a three-game series from the Cardinals? Can Tanner Roark continue his second-half surge? Can the lineup continue to produce, right down to the bottom of the ninth? Shoot, can they simply play a nine-inning game in fewer than 3 1/2 hours? We'll find all of that out when the Nats wrap up their series with St. Louis with Roark on the mound. The right-hander took a bit of a step back in his last start, allowing three homers to the Brewers. But...

SEATTLE - The Orioles have released outfielder Craig Gentry after designating him for assignment over the weekend. Gentry becomes a free agent and can sign with any team. The Orioles couldn't find a trade partner and removed him from the active roster while recalling outfielder Joey Rickard from Triple-A Norfolk. Infielder Steve Wilkerson has been recalled from Norfolk after coming off the seven-day minor league disabled list and will join the Orioles in St. Petersburg, Fla., for their weekend...

In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) moving their national headquarters to Baltimore, the Orioles will host National Federation of the Blind Night at Oriole Park on Tuesday, September 18, when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. ET. During the game, Orioles players and coaches will wear specially-designed jerseys with Braille lettering of both "Orioles" and player last names, becoming the first team in American professional sports...

Last season, there was little to no doubt who was going to earn both the Orioles' minor league Pitcher of the Year (Alex Wells) and Player of the Year (Austin Hays) awards. This year, the races are much tighter, and despite many people giving left-hander Keegan Akin the award, I am here to tell you not to do that just yet. First, let me state that I am in no way saying that Akin isn't deserving of the Jim Palmer Award. Akin had a phenomenal season where he went 14-7 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.25 WHIP...

At the beginning of the year, everyone anticipated Victor Robles to be a quick call-up; he was going to be the young face of the future that made his mark this season, digging out a role in the outfield and being an important piece for the Nationals off the bench or perhaps in some kind of starting role. That wasn't the case. Robles suffered a freak injury on his elbow at the beginning of April that forced him onto the disabled list until deep into the summer. Instead, it was Juan Soto,...

Right-hander Erick Fedde pitched four scoreless innings Tuesday night as the Nationals faced off against the Cardinals in game two of the series at Nats Park. But the second inning did not go well as he allowed four runs on four hits. The big blow was three runs that scored on Matt Carpenter's two-run single and a fielding error by Adam Eaton in right field. Marcell Ozuna opened the scoring with a solo shot. Look at innings one, three, four and five: The Cardinals managed a walk in the fourth....

SEATTLE - Cedric Mullins will return to the Orioles lineup tonight with the Mariners starting right-hander Mike Leake. Manager Buck Showalter already confirmed it yesterday when pressed for reasons why the rookie was missing again from last night's lineup. Mullins continues to sit against left-handers even though he bats from both sides of the plate, and fans on social media are growing more agitated. They might form a mob. Hide the pitchforks or replace them with plasticware. Though his hip...

SEATTLE - Alex Cobb gave up a run only three batters into tonight's game and nothing else through the sixth inning. One measly run. His seventh quality start in his last eight outings brought down his ERA and threatened to bring up more concerns and frustrations over an offense that failed to make the road trip. It showed up late, announced its presence with authority and wondered if the output was going to suffice. Cobb surrendered only four hits and settled into a nice groove, Renato...

The Nationals had 12 pitchers sitting in their bullpen Tuesday night, but that doesn't mean Davey Martinez had an abundance of appealing options when he needed to call down there for an arm. Of those 12 relievers, only two were on the club's opening day roster: Matt Grace and Sammy Solís. Only four of them have pitched in 30 or more games for the Nats this season: Grace and Solis, Justin Miller and Wander Suero. Tim Collins has made 27 appearances over two stints in Washington. Greg...