With Chris Davis beginning his suspension today, Kelly Johnson is starting at third base and Steve Pearce at first for Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Yankees. J.J. Hardy has returned to the lineup after receiving a cortisone injection in his lower back while the Orioles were in Boston. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Alejandro De Aza LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Steve Pearce 1B J.J. Hardy SS Kelly Johnson 3B Nick Hundley C Jonathan Schoop 2B Kevin Gausman RHP

Chris Davis has been suspended 25 games without pay, effective immediately, after testing positive for an amphetamine, a violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The 25 games include postseason play. With the Orioles having just 17 regular season games remaining, Davis would be out for eight playoff contests. Davis is batting .196/.300/.404 with 26 homers and 72 RBIs one season after leading the majors with 53 homers and 138 RBIs.

The Nationals' magic number is down to nine after Thursday's 6-2 win over the Mets. Following a loss to the Braves, the Nationals bounced back with a quick win. They have done this time and again this season, where they follow a loss with a victory, eliminating the possibility of a losing streak. The hottest hitter in the National League, Adam LaRoche, set the tone with a monster shot that hit way up on the foul pole in the first inning. The two-run homer came with two outs in the inning,...

Back in January, when there was still some question about which pitcher would fill out the fifth spot in the Nationals rotation behind Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister, 27-year-old right-hander Tanner Roark was asked about competing for a starting spot or possibly pitching out of the Nats bullpen. "I'd love to be the fifth starter," Roark told reporters, "but if I can make the team out of spring training, that would be great to help the team out any way I...

Manager: Joe Girardi, seventh year Record: 75-69 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Brett Gardner (.269/.342/.442, 22 doubles, 8 triples, 16 HR, 56 RBIs, 81 R, 19 SB); CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.278/.338/.429, 26 doubles, 15 HR, 67 RBIs, 38 SB); RHP Brandon McCarthy (6-4, 2.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP); RHP Shane Greene (4-3, 3.57 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 3-8, 31 runs scored, 60 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 12: Brandon McCarthy vs. Kevin Gausman, 1 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 12: Bryan...

The Orioles haven't been doing much according to script since Buck Showalter arrived in town. Now, amid the euphoria of three consecutive winning seasons and what's turning into a runaway division title, the team's first since 1997, it's worth noting that Showalter himself is off script. He was supposed to have worn out his welcome by now; instead, his team is having its best year under his discerning watch. Showalter built three winners prior to his arrival in Baltimore, two of them...

What's better than one game? Try two. The Yankees can't be thrilled about playing at home last night and flying to Baltimore for today's doubleheader. And there isn't a device small enough to measure the amount of sympathy they're going to receive from the Orioles, who have been abused by the schedule all season. Last night's walk-off victory moved the Yankees 10 1/2 games behind the Orioles in the American League East. The Blue Jays were idle and remained 10 games back. The Yankees...

With Wednesday's win at Boston, the Orioles came up with their 86th win of the season. That is one more than the 2013 Orioles squad that went 85-77. The 2012 Orioles that advanced to the playoffs as a wild card went 93-69 in the regular season. This year's team can top that wins total by going 8-9 or better the rest of the way. A 14-3 finish would produce a 100-win season. Soon the Orioles will officially be a playoff team as they were two years ago. But there are sure some differences...

Adam LaRoche has brought his hot bat to New York. With a man on first in the first inning, LaRoche launched a two-run home run to right field off of Mets starter Bartolo Colon. The blast was LaRoche's fourth in the last seven days. The Nationals first baseman has nine RBIs in that stretch. Tanner Roark will start the game with a 2-0 lead. Update: This is Adam LaRoche's world and we're all living in it. LaRoche picked up another hit in the third inning to drive in Jayson Werth and...

Major League Baseball announced its postseason schedule today, including the date for the opening game of the American League Division Series. That one may especially interest you. The AL Wild Card game is scheduled for Sept. 30 on TBS, followed by the NL Wild Card game that airs on ESPN on Oct. 1. This is the first time that ESPN will be part of baseball's postseason telecasts since 2006. Should the Orioles win the AL East, they would host Game 1 of the Division Series on Oct. 2. In fact,...