Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed that 2012 first-round pick Lucas Giolito will be heading to Los Angeles to see renowned orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum after suffering a setback in his return from an elbow injury. Giolito appeared in a game with the Gulf Coast League Nationals last Tuesday, his first outing in the Nats organization, allowing one run and two hits over two innings. After the outing, however, Giolito complained of some soreness in his throwing elbow. He was examined...

The Orioles continue to confound some critics, who can't understand a 66-55 record with a -44 run differential. There are 10 AL clubs with a better run differential but only three with a better record. The amazing 42-18 record in games decided by one and two runs helps explain away some of that. Most of that actually. We can cherry pick a few series and see this at work. Like the one the Orioles just played. They lost by two, then won by one and two runs for a 2-1 record and run differential...

The Nationals' selections for participation in the Arizona Fall League will be decided in about one week, according to a club source. The Nationals will partially stock the Salt River Rafters, alongside the Rockies, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks and White Sox. AFL play begins Oct. 9. As reported last week, with the new guidelines for roster allocation in place this season, each team can send two low Single-A players, two high Single-A players and three players from Double-A and up. No details...

J.J. Hardy isn't in the Orioles' lineup tonight. He's due for a rest, and as I pointed out earlier, he's 2-for-27 lifetime against Rangers starter Ryan Dempster. Robert Andino is starting at second base and Omar Quintanilla has shifted to shortstop. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF Robert Andino 2B Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla SS Manny Machado 3B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Rangers: Ian Kinsler 2B Elvis Andrus...

You know all the numbers by now: How the Orioles have made themselves a player in the wild card race, how they've made August baseball in Baltimore relevant on a national scale, how clubs managed by Buck Showalter historically show a significant improvement in his second full season at the helm. But the improvement in the Orioles' numbers aren't solely in the win-loss column. This season roughly 62,000 viewers are watching Orioles broadcasts on MASN versus the 44,000 viewers-per-game...

I guess it's fitting that for a series which could play a major role in determining the National League East champion, we'll get three pretty strong pitching matchups. Tonight, Jordan Zimmermann (9-7, 2.38 ERA) and veteran Braves right-hander Tim Hudson (12-4, 3.59 ERA) will kick things off. Zimmermann hasn't faced the Braves yet this season, but he's 2-1 with a 3.09 ERA in three career starts against the boys from Atlanta. It's a small sample size, but only one of seven Braves hitters...

Ryan Dempster will make his fourth start with the Rangers tonight, and only his second career start against the Orioles, who begin a three-game series in Arlington. Dempster has surrendered eight earned runs in two of his three starts since the Cubs traded him, and he's sporting an 8.31 ERA in the American League. He's served up five home runs in 17 1/3 innings. In his only game against the Orioles, Dempster allowed one run and three hits in 5 1/3 innings. Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who...

Will this finally be the year for the Double-A Bowie Baysox? The Baysox have been close to a playoff berth in recent seasons only to fall just short. Like last year, for instance. The Baysox were in first place as late as Aug. 12 and were in position for a playoff berth until the final series when they were passed by Richmond after losing eight of their final 12 games. On the final day of the season, Richmond hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning to take a 2-1 lead over Altoona...

A key match-up in the Braves series is the running game. The Nationals must focus on monitoring the progress of Braves speedsters Michael Bourn and Jason Heyward. The two have combined to steal 50 bases. Bourn has stolen 33 bases this season, which ranks No. 1 in the National League and No. 3 overall in the majors. He has been caught stealing only eight times (an 80.4 percent success rate). So basically, four out of every five times Bourn takes off, he is safe and in scoring...

Do the Mets really have to leave town? Is there any way they can hang around a bit longer? Can someone divert their train back to D.C. and have them play a few more games at Nats Park? If Davey Johnson promises not to have Johan Santana cover the gold patch on his glove, is the lefty willing to throw a few more times against the Nats? With just three games between these two teams still to be played, the season series between the Nationals and Mets has been dominated by the best team in...