A couple of mid-game notes as the Orioles hold a 5-1 lead after three and a half innings against Boston, on a day they hope they can clinch their first playoff berth since 1997. * Jim Thome is 2-for-2 today with a pair of RBI singles. That gives the veteran eight hits over his last 15 at-bats with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs. Yes, he's been a nice pickup. * From Sept. 17-25, Manny Machado had just one extra-base hit, a double, over a nine-game stretch. Now he is 6-for-11 over his last...

ST. LOUIS - Ross Detwiler was pretty down on himself after his last start, calling his performance in the Nationals' series-opening loss at Philadelphia "embarrassing." Detwiler allowed five runs over five innings Tuesday against the Phillies, an outing which you could tell stayed with him in the days afterward. Today, Detwiler has a chance to atone for that outing by helping the Nationals clinch the NL East, and he has a chance to do it in his hometown in front of dozens of family members...

The Orioles are expecting a sellout or close to it for this afternoon's regular-season home finale. Will fans get to watch them celebrate on the field after clinching a playoff berth? It could happen if the Angels lose Game 1 of their doubleheader and the Orioles defeat the Red Sox. But how enthusiastically would the Orioles celebrate? How would they react? "Honestly and sincerely," said manager Buck Showalter. "That's how they'll act, if it happens. And it's not something where I'm...

Chris Davis has put together a three-game run where he has hit four homers. He is 5-for-11 with nine RBIs during that stretch. OK, he is not Mark Reynolds' homer hot, but he hit No. 30 last night. "Just like him (Reynolds) earlier this year, you get hot," Davis said. "When a power hitter gets hot, they have a tendency to go deep. I've felt good at the plate the last few weeks and feel like I've really capitalized on pitches maybe I was missing earlier this year. When I simplify it and go...

After winning his second straight Most Valuable Oriole award, Adam Jones spent a good portion of an interview on that topic discussing the other players on the team that could have earned that honor. "I think there are some other deserving guys," he said. "I've lobbied for Jim Johnson and our entire bullpen. But, at the end of the day, I appreciate it. But I couldn't do this without my teammates. They are the reason why we are where we're at. It's getting named to me, but it's a team....

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals just posted the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals. With a win today, Washington will clinch the NL East. For the Nationals: Jayson Werth RF Bryce Harper CF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Michael Morse LF Ian Desmond SS Danny Espinosa 2B Kurt Suzuki C Ross Detwiler P For the Cardinals: John Jay CF Carlos Beltran RF Matt Holliday LF Allen Craig 1B Yadier Molina C David Freese 3B Daniel Descalso 2B Pete Kozma SS Lance Lynn P

Matt Wieters is behind the plate again today for the home regular-season finale against the Red Sox. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Joe Saunders LHP For the Red Sox: Ellsbury CF Pedroia 2B Ross RF Gomez 1B Valencia 3B Lavarnway C Nava LF Ciriaco DH Iglesias SS Stewart RHP Steve Johnson said his right foot is much better today after being hit by Dustin...

Adam Jones has been voted the winner of the 2012 Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award by members of the local media who cover the team on a regular basis. Jones is the seventh Oriole to win the award in consecutive seasons, joining Frank Robinson (1966-67), Boog Powell(69-70), Jim Palmer (72-73), Eddie Murray (81-85), Cal Ripken Jr. (90-91) and Rafael Palmeiro (95-96). Jones will receive his award during an on-field ceremony prior to today's home finale against the Red Sox. Jim...

In a season that's gone completely mad, a season that's often defied logic - along with every industry expert who predicted 100 losses - it would seem appropriate for the Orioles to clinch a playoff berth from the team hotel in St. Petersburg, Fla. It's possible that the Orioles will find out later tonight that they've reached the postseason for the first time since 1997. As I tried to explain last night, they're officially in if they win today and the Angels lose one of the games in...

ST. LOUIS - When the Nationals acquired Kurt Suzuki from the Athletics back in early August, they expected him to provide some veteran experience behind the plate, manage the pitching staff and use his strong arm to stop teams from running all over them on the basepaths. In the minds of General Manager Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Johnson, any offensive production they got from Suzuki on top of his defensive play was gravy. The Nationals are getting plenty of gravy. Plates and plates worth of...