For the past several years of writing online about the Nationals minor leaguers, I've had to make the disclosure that I'm a season-ticket holder to Washington's high Single-A affiliate in Potomac. Well, maybe not "had to," but I've felt the need to as a matter of integrity and my experience as a newspaperman (I'm old enough to have actually cut and paste with an X-acto knife and a wax machine). It's also because the inference that I might be a "homer" because I root for many of these...

For the first time since July 2, the Orioles play an American League East opponent tonight. On that date, they played Tampa Bay and the Rays are the opponent tonight at Tropicana Field to begin a three-game series and six-game road trip. The Orioles are 26-20 against AL East opponents and 5-4 versus the Rays, including a mark of 2-1 at The Trop. Right-hander Kevin Gausman (6-7, 6.11 ERA) will make his team-leading 22nd start. Gausman gave up just one run over six innings last Wednesday against...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is out of tonight's lineup due to an illness. One of the Rays physicians is examining Davis, who could be available later tonight. Left-hander Blake Snell's splits apparently don't factor into the decision to sit Davis, who was held out of batting practice today. "Obviously, he's under the weather," said manager Buck Showalter. "Hopefully, he'll be OK by gametime." Asked whether the illness is stomach-related, Showalter said,...

With about six weeks to go in the minor league regular season, five of the seven Orioles minor league teams are either leading for a playoff berth or are within four games of one. Double-A Bowie (53-47) is leading its division in the Eastern League by one game over Erie, two games over Altoona and 2 1/2 over Akron. The top two teams will make the playoffs. Single-A Delmarva (17-12) is leading its division in the South Atlantic League by 1 1/2 games. They play two halves in that league. Single-A...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles return to Tropicana Field tonight only 3 1/2 games out of the second wild card spot. They're starting both of their catchers against Rays left-hander Blake Snell, with Welington Castillo serving as designated hitter. Mark Trumbo is playing first base and Chris Davis is on the bench. Snell is 0-5 with a 4.98 ERA and 1.625 WHIP in 11 starts over 56 innings. He's averaging 5.9 walks per nine innings. Left-handers are batting .212 against Snell and right-handers...

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending July 23rd. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network. Schoop batted .433 (13-for-30) with eight runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI over seven games played to earn his first career AL Player of the Week Award. Among AL leaders, Jonathan finished the period first in RBI; tied for first in hits, home runs and total bases (24); second in runs...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The hot bat of second baseman Jonathan Schoop earned him recognition beyond the Orioles. Schoop has been named the American League's Player of the Week after batting .433 in seven games. Schoop went 13-for-30 with two doubles, three home runs, 16 RBIs and eight runs scored, as the Orioles try to at least stay in the wild card hunt. This is the first Player of the Week honor for Schoop, who currently leads the Orioles with a .307 average, .353 on-base percentage, .552...

Manager: Craig Counsell (3rd season) Record: 53-48 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: C Manny Piña (.294), 1B Eric Thames (23 HR), 3B Travis Shaw (70 RBIs, 22 HR, 24 doubles), 2B Jonathan Villar (19 SB), LF Ryan Braun (.272/.356/.562), RHP Corey Knebel (1.75 ERA, 17 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (4-2 in 2016) Pitching probables: July 25: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Zach Davies, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 July 26: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jimmy Nelson, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 27: RHP Max...

If you've ever been to an amusement park and taken a ride on the biggest roller coasters, you know exactly what an Orioles fan feels like over the last few weeks. The ups and downs, the twists and turns, and the subtle feeling that you might need to vomit all go hand in hand. Whether you are a fan that is more focused on the prospects of the 2017 O's, or are more concerned with Baltimore's chances beyond this season, there has been enough double-talk and mystery to go around for both...

How are you feeling about the Nationals season so far? Are you one of those glass-half-empty types who believe that the 59-38 Nats have underachieved this season and should be competing with the Dodgers for baseball's best record, if not for so many wasted scoring opportunities and blown leads? Or is your glass half-full, thankful that the team is 21 games over .500 with the biggest division lead in the National League - 12 games approaching the end of July - despite what has been baseball's...