Manager: Bob Melvin, fourth year Record: 59-36 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Brandon Moss (.268/.349/.530, 17 doubles, 21 HR, 66 RBIs); 3B Josh Donaldson (.238/.317/.449, 20 HR, 65 RBIs, 61 R); RHP Jeff Samardzija (3-8, 2.78 ERA, 1.14 WHIP); RHP Sonny Gray (10-3, 2.79 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 2-1, 18 runs scored, 10 runs allowed Pitching probables July 18: Jeff Samardzija vs. Chris Tillman, 10 p.m., MASN2 HD July 19: Jason Hammel vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 9 p.m., MASN2 HD July 20:...

Miguel Gonzalez made his start tonight at Triple-A Norfolk and threw 88 pitches in six innings. Gonzalez, optioned by the Orioles so he could get some work during the All-Star break, allowed three runs and five hits over six innings. He walked two, struck out one, gave up a home run and threw two wild pitches. As I've written previously, Gonzalez will be recalled and start the June 22 game in Anaheim. The Orioles will have a five-man rotation until Ubaldo Jimenez comes off the disabled list....

It's back to baseball tonight for the Orioles, who begin a 10-game West Coast trip against the Athletics. Should Manny Machado expect a warm reception from Oakland fans? Probably not. But they may want to go easy on him. He's been a beast since his confrontation with Josh Donaldson and the bat-tossing incident. The only cool-down period came during his five-game suspension. Machado has reached base safely in 16 straight games since June 22 (.410/.455/.721), which is tied for his career-best...

It didn't seem very likely before this season began that Chris Davis would hit 53 homers again for the Orioles. But no one could have expected him to be batting .199 at the All-Star break either. As the games resume tonight, a big second half from Davis would go a long way toward helping the Orioles claim their first American League East title since 1997. In recent weeks, Davis and the season he is having have become a primary topic for O's fans and readers on this blog. Some suggested he get...

In three starts for short-season Single-A Aberdeen, right-hander Dylan Bundy allowed one run and struck out 22 batters in 15 innings. Opponents in the New York-Penn League hit .189 against him. In three starts for advanced Single-A Frederick, Bundy has allowed 12 runs and struck out six batters in 11 2/3 innings. Opponents in the Carolina League are hitting .326 against him. This just in: The competition grows tougher at each level of the farm system. Bundy worked four-plus innings last night...

This may come as a surprise to fans who think the Orioles don't look a day over 50, but they're actually celebrating their 60th season in Baltimore. The party really kicks in on Friday, Aug. 8 at Camden Yards - before, during and after their game against the St. Louis Cardinals. According to a press release, the club is welcoming back 23 Orioles Hall of Famers who will take part in a postgame celebration. Among the legends expected to attend are Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr....

The Orioles today announced plans to celebrate their 60th Anniversary season in Baltimore with a series of events before, during and after their August 8 game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Orioles are welcoming back 23 Orioles Hall of Famers, who will take part in a spectacular post-game celebration. Expected to attend are Orioles Legends Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson, as well as the following Orioles Hall of Famers: Brady Anderson, Mike Bordick, Don...

OK, we'll make this nice and simple on the final day of the All-Star break. Who are you choosing as your first-half Most Valuable National? This is a tough question to answer, of course, because there have been a number of steady contributors to this team. Only two Nationals made the All-Star team - Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard - and neither had other-worldly first halves. The Nats were a pretty balanced team before the break, getting contributions from throughout their roster. I've...

Bill Ripken will never forget the advice his dad, Cal Ripken Sr., gave him the day he signed with the Orioles. The year was 1982 and Bill had just graduated from high school. They were sitting at a table at home in Aberdeen, Md., when Orioles scout Jim Gilbert gave Bill a contract worth $20,000. As usual, dad's advice was direct. "I said, 'Do I have to read the contract?' '' Bill says. "Dad said, 'No, but what it says is that if they ask you to do something, you better do it.' That...

Now that the American League has won the All-Star Game 5-3 and claimed home-field advantage in the World Series, is it too much to speculate that the Orioles will be hosting the Nationals in Game 1 at Camden Yards come October? It is a possibility, given both teams are in an excellent position to win division titles. The AL East has been falling apart daily, and that leaves the Orioles as the best team in the division. They have the deepest pitching, the potential for the biggest improvement...