Here's a look at the American League's contending teams as the season arrives at September. Baltimore: The Orioles beat the pitching-rich Rays three of four and with the way things are going, they look much like last season's World Series champion Red Sox. Everything is going right for the Orioles. Well, almost everything. Ubaldo Jimenez has been bad, but lefty Andrew Miller was a brilliant move for the bullpen. And when was the last time there were concerns about the rotation not going...

Nationals and Suns partnership runs through 2016 season The Washington Nationals today announced the signing of a two-year Player Development Contract extension (which begins in 2015) with the Hagerstown Suns of the Single-A South Atlantic League through the 2016 season. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Vice President of Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of...

SunTrust to serve as 2015 Heart Ball Chair Event Team also announces return of 50% off ticket fundraiser for select September games The Orioles today announced the renewal of their partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA) that features the club serving as mission engagement chair for the 31st Annual Baltimore Heart Ball scheduled for early 2015. In conjunction with SunTrust, who is serving as the 2015 event chair, the Orioles hope to help raise awareness to the AHA's...

Manager: Lloyd McClendon, first year Record: 72-60 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Robinson Cano (.325/.393/.469, 30 doubles, 12 HR, 71 RBIs); 3B Kyle Seager (.275/.344/.471, 26 doubles, 20 HR, 81 RBIs); RHP Felix Hernandez (13-4, 2.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP); RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (12-6, 2.83 ERA, 0.98 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): Did not play Pitching probables Aug. 29: Felix Hernandez vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 10 p.m., MASN2 HD Aug. 30: Chris Young vs. Stephen Strasburg, 9 p.m., MASN2...

Before the Nationals' run of 10 straight wins, which started on Aug. 12 and lasted until Aug. 22, the longest winning streak this season came over a five-game stretch between June 28 and July 2, when the Nats beat the Chicago Cubs in both games of a doubleheader in Wrigley Field and took three straight from the Colorado Rockies on the road in Coors Field. The Nationals set a new season high of six straight with the second of back-to-back walk-off wins over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug...

Manager: Ron Gardenhire, 13th year Record: 59-74 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Brian Dozier (.240/.345/.419, 30 doubles, 20 HR, 61 RBIs, 94 R, 20 SB); RF Oswaldo Arcia (.228/.299/.446, 14 doubles, 14 HR, 42 RBIs); 3B Trevor Plouffe (.249/.315/.413, 38 doubles, 10 HR, 65 RBIs); RHP Phil Hughes (14-9, 3.70 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 2-1, 11 runs scored, 6 runs against Pitching probables Aug. 29: Trevor May vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 30: Kyle Gibson vs. Chris...

After the latest Orioles' win last night over Tampa Bay, Adam Jones said the players do indeed check out the standings sometimes. Right now, it shows them leading the American League East by seven games over the New York Yankees. "We'd be lying if we said we aren't looking," Jones said. "That is just human nature. But we also know that we have to take care of our business. It doesn't matter what the Yankees or Toronto do if we don't take of ours, it all goes for nothing." The series...

SEATTLE - Hello from the great Northwest, where the weather is lovely, the seafood is tremendous and there is practically a Starbucks on every single corner. I had heard that coming in - that coffee shops were all over the place here. But you seriously cannot walk half a block in Seattle without seeing coffee sold somewhere, and Starbucks logos can be spotted pretty much everywhere you go. After a much-needed day off yesterday, the Nationals get back at it tonight, hoping to snap their mini...

The Orioles are taking all the drama and excitement out of the September call-ups. I may as well shut down until the playoffs. (Yes, I said that word.) The Orioles always add an extra catcher when rosters expand, but they already recalled Steve Clevenger from Triple-A Norfolk. They figured to bring up at least one utility infielder, allowing Ryan Flaherty to actually get in the lineup, but they already recalled Jimmy Paredes. Actually, these were sharp moves by the Orioles. Take advantage...

In the first inning tonight the Orioles got two runs - one with power and one with speed. We don't always see the Orioles get a run on the bases, but after a Steve Pearce homer, the O's had Nelson Cruz on first and Adam Jones on third and one out. The Orioles then pulled off a double steal. It led to Jones stealing home, the O's first steal of home since Robert Andino against Atlanta on June 14, 2009. "Just a play we don't use often but we know it's in our little bag of tricks. No...