DETROIT - The Orioles are taking batting practice this afternoon while the Lions play the Bills across the street. Manager Buck Showalter decided to start Delmon Young in left field and use Nelson Cruz as the designated hitter. His primary reason involves not wanting to lose Cruz's bat while making a late defensive substitution. "Delmon has played left field as well as anybody," Showalter said. "He's very familiar with this ballpark, a bigger left field line than other places. You have...

DETROIT - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he expects the Twins to interview bench coach John Russell for their vacant managerial position. The Twins fired Ron Gardenhire last week, the first manager they've dismissed since Ray Miller in 1986. Russell has a close relationship with general manager Terry Ryan and will be brought in for an interview after the playoffs. As I wrote last week, Showalter values Russell's contributions as bench coach and catching instructor. However, he also...

With a win this afternoon, the Orioles will advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 1997 when they played the Cleveland Indians. The Orioles hold a 2-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Division Series and need one win to advance. A win today at Comerica Park would give them their first postseason series sweep since a 3-0 win over the Oakland A's in the 1971 ALCS. But the Tigers have rallied in the ALDS before - in fact, just last year when they...

DETROIT - Steve Pearce is batting second today for the Orioles and Delmon Young is playing left field in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Nick Hundley is behind the plate and Ryan Flaherty remains at third base. The Orioles are seeking their first playoff sweep since the 1971 American League Championship Series against the Athletics, which used to consist of five games. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Delmon Young LF J.J. Hardy...

The Nationals are now in a difficult situation down 2-0 in the National League Division series to the Giants with Game 3 on Monday afternoon. The pitching matchup features right-hander Doug Fister against left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Some callers to "Nats Insider" on Sunday morning on 106.7 The Fan have repeated a consistent theme that Ryan Zimmerman should get the start in Game 3 and replace Adam LaRoche at first base. MASN's Bob Carpenter, appearing on the same show, liked the idea...

*We'll be updating this entry all day, so keep scrolling and check back often! 12:30 p.m. - Settling in at Comerica Park DETROIT - It's chilly here in Detroit, but it finally feels like October baseball. We've just arrived to the ballpark to kick things off for Game 3 at Comerica Park this afternoon. The Orioles hold a two-game lead in the Division Series. With a win today, the Orioles will move on to the American League Championship Series. Needless to say, there's a lot of excitement...

DETROIT - Rajai Davis is out of the Tigers lineup today for Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Comerica Park. Davis was included on the ALDS roster despite a groin injury that has limited his innings on the field. Don Kelly is playing center field today while Davis sits on the bench. For the Tigers Ian Kinsler 2B Torii Hunter RF Miguel Cabrera 1B Victor Martinez DH J.D. Martinez LF Alex Avila C Nick Castellanos 3B Andrew Romine SS Don Kelly CF David Price LHP The...

SAN FRANCISCO - The flight from D.C. to San Francisco wasn't as long as that ballgame was last night. After a 6:23 marathon in Game 2, which became the longest game time-wise in Major League Baseball postseason history, the Nationals find themselves in a tough spot, with their backs against the wall. They've now dropped the first two of a best-of-five series, and will need to take the next two here in San Francisco followed by a decisive Game 5 in D.C. in order to advance. A tall order, for...

If Orioles fans didn't already greatly appreciate and enjoy the strong position their team is in the series with Detroit, just looked around a bit. * Los Angeles Angels, 98 wins, down 0-2. * Washington Nationals, 96 wins, down. 0-2. * Baltimore Orioles, 96 wins, up 2-0. The two No. 1 seeds are both a loss from elimination while the Orioles have a chance for a three-game sweep this afternoon at Detroit. Unless you want to count the 2012 wild card game as a one-game sweep, the last time the...

Jordan Zimmermann passed the time after he exited in the ninth inning of Saturday night's Game 2 of the National League Division Series bouncing between the dugout and clubhouse, watching a parade of relievers travel down the tunnel from the field. Since the game lasted 18 innings - at 6 hours, 23 minutes, it was the longest postseason game by time in major league history - he had a lot of time to ponder what might have been. But if you expected Zimmermann to second-guess manager Matt...