After again watching his bullpen let the Orioles post a big eighth inning to cement a Division Series win, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus didn't know how he'd handle a lead going forward with his club one game away from being eliminated. For the second straight game, Joba Chamberlain and Joakim Soria simply couldn't record outs. Handed a three-run lead in the eighth, the late-inning duo combined to surrender four runs on three hits and a walk in their combined one inning of work. In Game 1 a...

It was an amazing and stirring comeback win. Last night the Orioles used the eighth inning to pull away. Today they produced a remarkable comeback win in the same inning. Delmon Young's pinch-hit, three-run double to left off Joakim Soria turned a 6-4 deficit into a 7-6 lead and the Orioles beat Detroit in front of another frenzied sellout crowd at Camden Yards. It was an amazing comeback by the Orioles who take a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series. The last 13 teams with a 2-0...

Game 1 of the National League Division series is under way in Washington, D.C. It is only the fourth home playoff game in the nation's capital since 1933. Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg induced three flyouts to begin the game. Giants right-hander Jake Peavy walked Jayson Werth with two outs in the bottom of the first. He was the first baserunner for either team. But Adam LaRoche struck out to end the inning. Update: Peavy has managed to get swinging strikeouts to end the first two...

Reading between the lines of Nationals manager Matt Williams' comments in his media session this morning, Ryan Zimmerman could be pointing toward a start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series when the Giants start left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Zimmerman said yesterday that he is comfortable coming off the bench, and that will be his role today in Game 1. Williams opted to start Anthony Rendon at third base and Bryce Harper in left field, so Zimmerman will be a bat in reserve. But...

The Nationals' starting lineup for Game 1 of the National League Division Series didn't feature any surprises. The back end of the team's 25-man roster might have surprised some. The Nationals opted to put Rafael Soriano on their roster for the NLDS, while Ross Detwiler was left out of the eight-man bullpen. Detwiler had one clunker down the stretch, allowing three runs in an inning against the Braves, but was unscored upon in seven of his eight September appearances. Soriano was tremendous...

This playoff thing really agrees with Nick Markakis. Markakis homered with two outs in the bottom of the third to score Jonathan Schoop and give the Orioles a 2-0 lead in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. It's the first postseason home run of Markakis' career, and his third hit and second RBI in less than 24 hours. Justin Verlander shook off catcher Alex Avila and threw a 94 mph fastball with the count full. Markakis' ball hit the roof of the grounds crew shed, bringing an...

Manager Matt Williams spoke with the media prior to the National League Division series opener Friday at Nationals Park. Williams confirmed that right-hander Tanner Roark will come out of the bullpen in the series. Williams was asked if he planned this 25-man roster with specialists in mind or preferred long men coming out of the pen. "With the days off, especially the first round with the days off, you have those options," Williams said. "Nobody is ever going to have to go three days in a...

Since the Orioles moved to Baltimore in 1954, their postseason winning percentage of .588 (50-35) ranks second in the majors behind only Miami at .667 (22-11). The Orioles look to add to that here this afternoon. According to ESPN Stats & Info, since 1995, 61 percent of teams that won Game 1 of a Division Series went on to win the series. And 12 of the last 14 Game 1 winners went on to advance. The last 13 teams to take a 2-0 lead went on to win the Division Series. After pitching well in...

The Orioles may not have the most speed in the majors, but they're used to fast turnarounds. They're back at Camden Yards this morning for a 12:07 p.m. start in Game 2 of the Division Series. Sleeping fast, as manager Buck Showalter advises, may have included a few players spending the night here. Showalter's been known through the years to crash in his office - he had a Murphy bed in Arizona - but he wouldn't admit whether it happened last night. Right fielder Nick Markakis figures...

During his Game 2 American League Division Series pregame press conference at Camden Yards this morning, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he would not know if outfielder Rajai Davis would play today until after batting practice. Davis has been hampered since Saturday by a ligament sprain in the pelvic area. He played last night, going 1-for-3 but was pinch hit for in the ninth inning. Update: Davis is in the lineup for Game 2, batting ninth in center field. Ausmus talked about his team...