The Orioles used a Jonathan Schoop home run and a six-pitcher six-hitter to beat Toronto 1-0 today in their regular season finale. The Orioles finished with a 96-66 record (.593) and they snapped a three-game losing streak. Now they look ahead to Thursday's Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The Orioles took the lead in the top of the fifth on Schoop's first home run since Sept. 4. Schoop got an 85 mph fastball on a 3-2 pitch from R.A. Dickey and hit it out to left for his 16th...

Shortstop Ian Desmond hit a line-drive home run into the Marlins bullpen to emphatically signal the beginning of the scoring in the regular season finale. The Nationals lead 1-0. The home run was his 24th of the season, this one off of Henderson Alvarez on a 1-2 pitch. It was also his 91st RBI of the season. Jordan Zimmermann set down the Marlins in order the first and second frames, ending each inning with a strikeout. The Nationals lead 1-0 after two innings. Update: Denard Span's...

The Orioles had some chances, but did not score early on today against Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The Orioles and Blue Jays have played three scoreless innings to start the regular season finale. Nick Markakis led off the game with a double to left field, but was left on base as Alejandro De Aza grounded out, Adam Jones flied out and Nelson Cruz flied out. The O's put two on with one out on a pair of walks in the top of the second, but Nick Hundley struck out and Jonathan Schoop...

Did Orioles manager Buck Showalter give us a preview today of his Game 1 lineup in the Division Series? He's not going to say so, but it looks that way to me. Ryan Flaherty has two of the six errors that Orioles third basemen have committed over the last nine games, but he's regarded as a good defender at every infield position and he's got Showalter's trust. I'd expect him to be the regular third baseman in the playoffs, but we'll see. Orioles third basemen committed 13 errors last...

What began with a 2-1 win over Boston March 31 at Camden Yards will end today at Rogers Centre in Toronto - the Orioles' 2014 regular season. The Orioles (95-66) play Toronto (83-78) for the 19th time. They are 10-8 against the Blue Jays, going 6-4 at home and 4-4 on the road. Miguel Gonzalez (9-9, 3.33 ERA) makes his 26th start and pitches against R.A. Dickey (14-12, 3.78 ERA). Gonzalez is trying to give the Orioles four 10-game winners for the first time since 1997 when Mike Mussina,...

We have reached the final game of the regular season. With Ryan Zimmerman getting the start in left field, Bryce Harper will shift to right field and Jayson Werth will get the afternoon off. Jordan Zimmermann is making his first start since Sept. 20 after being struck on the back of his right shoulder in Miami. The Nationals want to make sure Zimmermann is OK as the team prepares for the playoffs. Zimmermann is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four starts in September and is 7-0 with a 2.06 ERA...

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has struggled against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in the past, going 3-for-22 (.136) with one home run. A second home run off Dickey today at Rogers Centre would put Jones in select company in Orioles history and allow him to reach another milestone. Jones hit his 29th homer yesterday in a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays. With one more, he will become the fifth Oriole with at least three 30-home run seasons, joining Eddie Murray (five), Rafael Palmeiro (four), Boog...

We've finally reached the 162nd game of the regular season. The Orioles will try to avoid being swept by the Blue Jays today before taking off Monday. They open the Division Series on Thursday against the winner of the Central Division. The Tigers hold a one-game lead over the Royals. The Orioles have lost three in a row for the second time since May. They were swept by the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The defense remains shaky, committing three errors in three of their last nine games. The...

With the Orioles set to play in the American League Championship Series for the second time in three years, let's take a quick second to look back at the 2012 AL Division Series. Yes, it's a bit of a painful memory as the Orioles lost in five games to the Yankees and they didn't hit much. But they did get strong pitching in that series. Only three Orioles that made starts in that series could make starts for the Orioles beginning next Thursday - Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy and Ryan...

I don't suggest that you wager on baseball, but if you can't resist, make sure to avoid putting any money on Miguel Gonzalez pitching a complete game today. Or still being on the mound for the seventh inning stretch and the "OK Blue Jays" song. You've got a diamond You've got nine men You've got a hat and a bat And that's not all You've got the bleachers Got 'em from spring 'til fall You got a dog and a drink And the umpire's call Waddaya want? Let's play ball! Gonzalez will make...