If the weather cooperates, the Orioles will run out the following lineup against A.J. Burnett and the New York Yankees: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Robert Andino SS Chris Tillman RHP Why Andino over Cesar Izturis? Maybe it's because Andino is 3-for-8 with a home run and two RBIs lifetime against Burnett. Izturis is 6-for-27. J.J. Hardy is 5-for-10 with two doubles and two RBIs, but...

Tuesday marks the grand opening of a new outdoor beer garden located just a few blocks from Nationals Park. Das Bullpen is located across the street from the Navy Yard metro station. Das Bullpen is a "laid-back alternative" to the partner beer garden on Half Street, also called The Bullpen. The new location will offer a menu of bratwurst, Polish sausage, knockwurst and hot dogs, as well as an extensive array of European draught beers. With space for nearly 300 guests, Das Bullpen will host...

When Chris Tillman takes the mound in New York tonight, there may be some fans checking the radar gun readings almost as much as they check the ball and strike count. There has been a lot of discussion among the fans that Tillman's velocity may be down and they are wondering if that impacts his pitching and not in a good way. Some fans cited a lack of his normal velocity as a reason why Tillman gave up four runs in his start against Detroit, but he seemed to be throwing with similar velocity...

The Washington Nationals today placed third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to April 10, with a left abdominal strain and recalled catcher Jesus Flores from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Zimmerman's DL stint marks just the second of his career (2005-present). The 26-year-old is batting .357 (10-for-28) with one triple, one home run,...

So far this season, the Orioles have looked like contenders, a team that on any night can compete with the top rosters in the American League. They swept the suddenly hapless Rays, took two of three from Detroit, and hung with the defending AL champion Rangers - with the exception of that ugly Saturday night beatdown. But nine games is a pretty small sample size. We've seen Orioles teams get off to hot starts in the past, and then fall apart down the stretch. It's impossible to predict...

Peanuts, cracker jacks and clowns? That's right - Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be on hand at the Nationals game against the Phillies Wednesday evening. The appearance will promote current circus performances at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., through April 24. At Nationals Park, the Ringmaster, Johnathan Lee Iverson, will sing the national anthem while Tom, Abe, George and Teddy will race against circus clowns in the GEICO President's Race.

Pitcher Brad Bergesen joined the Orioles in New York, another sign that he's starting Wednesday night's game at Yankee Stadium. However, nothing has come easily to Bergesen, so he'll naturally be at the mercy of the weather. It isn't raining in New York as I type this entry, but the forecast is ominous. We'll find out later how a postponement tonight would affect the rotation for the rest of the series. It isn't any better in Baltimore. Too bad the Orioles couldn't escape the...

Orioles rookie pitcher Zach Britton faced the Yankees in spring training, but his first outing against them that counts will have to wait. Manager Buck Showalter had two choices for a starting pitcher for the Thursday game in the Bronx because both Jake Arrieta and Britton pitched in the Saturday doubleheader and would be on normal rest for Thursday. But Showalter said Arrieta will start that game and Britton will pitch the series opener on Friday at Cleveland. It's probably a little...

When Matt Capps was traded to the Minnesota Twins last summer it was hard for even the most faithful Nats fan to think, "Gee, where's the silver lining on this trade? Why get rid of our only 2010 All-Star?" Capps had an eventful year, including a strikeout against Red Sox power-hitter David Ortiz during the 2010 All-Star Game in Anaheim. Thanks to that strikeout, the National League won its first home-field advantage in a World Series since 1996. Capps was the Nationals' only All-Star...

You've seen them before, probably more often than you'd like. And since I'm guest blogging for MASNsports.com this week, it seems like an appropriate time to discuss them. They're the fans in the lower seating bowl who stand out - by design or otherwise - when you're watching a game on television. They're akin to the people who stand outside the window at the "Today" show each morning with the notable difference that they're at a baseball game and supposedly interested in its outcome....