ST. LOUIS - Where to begin? The Nationals took us all on a ride this afternoon, battling their way to a 3-2 win over the Cardinals in Game 1 of the best-of-five National League Division Series, despite seven walks from starter Gio Gonzalez, 10 runners left on base, two errors and 13 strikeouts as an offense. This game was bizarre as could be. It all started with Gonzalez, who somehow allowed only one hit despite completely lacking control of his fastball. The Nationals ace had perhaps his...

After winning Game 1 in St. Louis 3-2, the Nationals now have three of the next four games in the series at home. Of course, Game 4 and Game 5 are if necessary. Trailing 2-1 after five innings, the Nationals found a way to get to a bullpen that had allowed more than one earned run just once in the last 14 postseason games. Well, that streak reached 14 of 15, but they still allowed two runs. And the Nationals' bench, another one of the team's many strengths, came through with the game's...

ST. LOUIS - These inexperienced Nationals seem to be faring just fine, huh? A half-inning after Ryan Mattheus gets out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam with just two pitches in his first career postseason appearance, pinch-hitter Tyler Moore delivers a two-out, two-run, go-ahead single in his first ever playoff at-bat. Mercy. Moore got to a 2-2 count against Cardinals lefty Marc Rzepczynski, got a fastball down in the zone and dropped it into right field. Michael Morse and Ian Desmond came...

Tonight's live blog: Our live blog for Game 1 of the American League Division Series is under way. Please check back here often tonight for updates, but I also hope to see a lot of comments from fans and readers. Post often your thoughts on this game and series. Ask any O's questions you have. Start leaving comments right now if you have one. Some O's playoff history: The Orioles have never lost an American League Division Series. OK, they have only played in two of them, but they beat...

ST. LOUIS - In Gio Gonzalez's first two innings, he threw 55 pitches, only 27 for strikes. He walked five and allowed two runs. Over his next two innings of work, Gonzalez threw 28 pitches, 19 for strikes. He was able to settle down, get ahead in the count and pound the strike zone. Gonzalez faced the minimum over his third and fourth innings of work, allowing only a David Freese groundball single through the hole, which was quickly erased by a nicely turned 6-4-3 double play. Gonzalez is...

Confirmation on the Orioles' Game 2 starter came earlier today when reporters were notified via e-mail that Wei-Yin Chen would be available in the interview room following manager Buck Showalter, who indicated yesterday that the Taiwanese left-hander would likely get the assignment. Another rookie, Miguel Gonzalez, will start Game 3 Tuesday in New York. Chen hasn't pitched since Monday, which isn't a bad thing. He's posted a 2.28 ERA in four starts while working on six-plus days rest. He...

Let me begin this entry by posting the Yankees lineup for Game 1 of the American League Division Series. And this is the correct version. I promise. Derek Jeter SS Ichiro Suzuki LF Alex Rodriguez 3B Robinson Cano 2B Nick Swisher RF Mark Teixeira 1B Curtis Granderson CF Russell Martin C Raul Ibanez DH CC Sabathia LHP Manager Buck Showalter had to make some hard decisions with his Division Series roster. He kept Tommy Hunter and Joe Saunders as potential long men in the bullpen, though...

ST. LOUIS - Remember this note for trivia question purposes: Kurt Suzuki drove in the first run in Nationals playoff history. General manager Mike Rizzo's trade for Suzuki after the non-waiver trade deadline continues to pay major dividends. The catcher came through with a big two-out RBI single to left field in the second inning, bringing in Adam LaRoche to give the Nats a 1-0 lead. LaRoche, far from the swiftest guy on the team (and that's putting it nicely), had gone first to third on...

A reporter pointed out to Matt Wieters that all the Orioles in the clubhouse now have playoff experience. It may just be one game for some of them, but that was a pretty big one and Wieters said the players' effort against Texas could help them in the American League Division Series against the Yankees. "That one game was playoff experience like you get in a Game 7," Wieters said. "Some of the nerves for some of the guys, you get it out of your system and that means you care. Winning that...

It has been a pretty good first year for Wei-Yin Chen as an Oriole and the next step for him is starting Game 2 for the Orioles tomorrow night against the Yankees here at Camden Yards. "It's been a great year to me and the Orioles," Chen said today through his interpreter. "I'm so lucky to be here and I want to give everything to the fans and the city of Baltimore. This has been an amazing year to me and I don't want to think too much right now, just want to keep going, keep going and...