Manager: Pete Mackanin (3rd season) Record: 62-94 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Rhys Hoskins (.278 with 18 HR, 46 RBIs); 1B Tommy Joseph (.238 with 22 HR, 68 RBIs); 3B Maikel Franco (.231 with 21 HR, 70 RBIs); RHP Aaron Nola (12-10, 3.56 ERA); RHP Héctor Neris (3.18 ERA, 23 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-10 Pitching probables: Sep. 25: RHP A.J. Cole vs. RHP Aaron Nola; 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 26: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jake Thompson; 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 27: RHP Tanner Roark vs....

On a day that seems likely to be his final one playing as an Oriole at Camden Yards, shortstop J.J. Hardy hit a go-ahead homer as the Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9-4 to complete their home season. Hardy got a standing ovation, including applause from players on both teams, and waved to the crowd before he batted in the bottom of the first. Then he got a curtain call after his two-run homer in the fourth broke a 4-4 tie. Hardy hit a 3-2 slider from Chris Archer 400 feet for his first homer...

J.J. Hardy placed his hand on the bill of his batting helmet today as the ovation grew louder and stronger, his feet still outside the batter's box. Rays pitcher Chris Archer, aware and respectful of the moment, stood between the mound and second base. The occupants of both dugouts lined the railings and applauded. Always a player who shunned the spotlight, Hardy finally relented and waved to the crowd. No sense fighting it. May as well give in to it, soak it up like rays of sunshine and...

NEW YORK - The Nationals lineup is on the verge of being whole again, with Bryce Harper having done everything required to recover from the scary leg injury he suffered six weeks ago and now poised to come off the disabled list. The club isn't making it official yet - "We're still trying to make up our minds," manager Dusty Baker said. "We'll let you know tomorrow." - but sources familiar with the plan confirmed that (barring something unforeseen) Harper will be active for Monday...

Shortstop J.J. Hardy embraced teammates Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop in right field while warming up before today's final home game of the 2017 season. Likely the last for Hardy in an Orioles uniform as free agency approaches. It's an emotional day for Hardy and his teammates, and not only because the club has been eliminated from the wild card chase and can't finish .500. It's gotten off to a bad start. Kevin Kiermaier homered on the first pitch from Chris Tillman, an 89 mph...

NEW YORK - We've reached the point in the season when it's time for playoff-bound clubs to begin lining up their rotations for October. The Nationals already know which four starters will take the mound for the National League Division Series. The order in which they'll do so, however, has not yet been made public. It is perhaps notable, though, how the Nats currently have their starters lined up during the final week of the regular season. Stephen Strasburg pitched Saturday night against...

Orioles pitcher Dylan Bundy was scratched from today's start against the Rays due to a strained left hamstring. The club made the announcement about an hour before first pitch at Camden Yards Chris Tillman will make the start to close out the last homestand of the 2017 season. Bundy's status for next week is uncertain. The Orioles are off Monday and Thursday and make trips to Pittsburgh and St. Petersburg, Fla., for the final five games. As the veterans inside the Orioles clubhouse try to put...

The Orioles have scratched Dylan Bundy from today's start against the Rays. Chris Tillman will take his place. No reason has been given for the switch. The Orioles said they will provide more information later this afternoon. Bundy is 13-9 with a 4.24 ERA in 28 starts over 169 2/3 innings. He would have been working on an extra day of rest. Manager Buck Showalter chose Bundy after the right-hander had a good work day. They met yesterday in Showalter's office before batting practice. Tillman...

Trey Mancini is leading off today, Chance Sisco is catching and J.J. Hardy is playing shortstop for the Orioles' final home game of the season. Pedro Álvarez is the designated hitter. For the Orioles Trey Mancini LF Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Austin Hays RF Pedro Álvarez DH J.J. Hardy SS Chance Sisco C Dylan Bundy RHP Update: Bundy has been scratched from his start and will be replaced by Chris Tillman. For the Rays Kevin Kiermaier CF Lucas Duda DH...

NEW YORK - Though their chances of securing home field advantage throughout the postseason are slim - they still trail the Dodgers by 4 1/2 games - the Nationals are on the verge of securing home field advantage at least for the National League Division Series. They enter play today with a seven-game lead over the Cubs, with eight to go. Thus, their magic number to clinch home field advantage for the first round is two, and if things go right, that could be locked up this afternoon. In order to...