So you may have heard there's a pretty big series taking place here in town this week. The Cubs and Nationals are as big as it gets in baseball at this moment, owners of the two best records in the sport and loaded with star power. So it's no surprise the sport is going to be focused on South Capitol Street over the next three nights. Let's be honest, though: The Nationals need these games more than the Cubs do. Not that any series in mid-June is that important, certainly one that's not...

Here are a few notes from around the Orioles minor leagues, including a quick look at the Orioles' two teams in the Dominican Summer League. NORFOLK Right-hander Yovani Gallardo makes his third minor league rehab start tonight, pitching for the Triple-A Tides at Charlotte. Gallardo is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in his first two starts, pitching once for Single-A Frederick and once for the Tides. He is expected to rejoin the Orioles rotation on Saturday. Gallardo threw 85 pitches for Norfolk last...

BOSTON - Another former Orioles pitcher is headed to the Cubs organization. Left-hander Brian Matusz has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs, according to a source. He agreed to terms over the weekend and took his physical yesterday. Matusz is expected to be used as a starter at Triple-A Iowa, his original role before the Orioles converted him to a lefty specialist out of the bullpen. Multiple teams were interested in Matusz as a starter. He chose an organization that includes former...

Stephen Strasburg has been in great company while streaking through this season, blowing past franchise marks for consecutive victories set by Pedro Martinez, Dennis Martinez and Livan Hernandez, and matching Jake Arietta for the major league lead in wins. If that's not enough, the Nationals star now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with arguably the greatest pitcher of all time, Walter Johnson. No one wearing a Washington uniform has won 13 consecutive decisions since the legendary,...

There are usually many parts to a ninth inning comeback, and Sunday's 5-4 Nationals win over the Phillies had a lot of those types of amazing at-bats. One such at-bat was the battle between shortstop Danny Espinosa and Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez. Espinosa fought off a ton of changeups and, on a 1-2 count, kept the inning alive with a single to left field. "Just trying not to do too much," Espinosa said of the at-bat. "He's got a really good changeup, off his fastball, staying ready for...

After his latest debacle in Toronto, Ubaldo Jimenez is right on the edge of falling off the cliff. The Orioles have few options when it comes to moving forward with Jimenez, but if they want to keep up their chances of competing in the American League East, it might be time to cut bait. Six out of his last seven starts could be slotted into the "miserable" category. In the one that wasn't, he lasted just five innings while allowing one run. The Orioles would obviously be required to eat...

Manager: Joe Maddon (2nd season) Record: 43-18 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 2B Ben Zobrist (.324 average, 66 hits); 3B Kris Bryant (15 HR, 45 RBIs); 1B Anthony Rizzo (14 HR, .264 average); RHP Jake Arrieta (10-1, 1.86 ERA); RHP John Lackey (7-2, 2.63 ERA); RHP Jason Hammel (7-2, 2.36 ERA). Season series vs. Nationals: 4-0 Pitching probables: June 13: RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Max Schezer, 7:05 p.m., MASNJune 14: RHP John Lackey vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASNJune 15: RHP Jason...

Before yesterday, the last time an Orioles starting pitcher lasted just 1/3 of an inning was on July 20, 2011 and that pitcher was Zach Britton. Sunday, right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez got just one out in the shortest start of his career as the Orioles lost to Toronto 10-9. The Orioles scored six runs Saturday and lost and scored nine yesterday and lost. They scored 24 runs and hit 12 home runs at Rogers Centre but lost the last three games of the series after Thursday's 6-5 win. The Orioles and...

We've been having plenty of fun doing the weekly Q&A's right here, but now it's time to expand it into something new and exciting: A live video Q&A. Yes, at 2 p.m., I'll be hosting a live video Q&A on our Facebook page (facebook.com/masnNationals) straight from Nationals Park in advance of the series opener against the Cubs. You can submit your questions in advance here in the comments section, on Twitter or directly on the Facebook page. You can also submit your questions live...

The Orioles are most fortunate to have an open date on their schedule today. Manager Buck Showalter was forced to use five more relievers yesterday in Toronto, including left-handers T.J. McFarland and Brian Duensing in back-to-back games. Vance Worley worked 4 1/3 innings. The situation screams for at least one roster move, but perhaps the Orioles will freshen up before opening their series Tuesday night in Boston. Duensing allowed a hit and walked a batter in one-third of an inning and his...