It's never too early to think about next season, especially if you're a Washington Nationals fan. Major League Baseball released its 2012 schedule Wednesday morning to the delight and disdain of several fans across the country. Of course, it seems a little odd that the league would release next year's schedule when this season is still happening, but for the 20 or so teams who are out of contention, this means they are one step closer towards the hope and optimism spring training and April...

Chris Davis hit a big three-run homer tonight that gave the Orioles the lead in the last of fourth over Tampa Bay. It came on a pitch, he said, he probably should not have even swung at. "It was definitely a ball," Davis said of the 0-2 pitch from Wade Davis. "It might have gone to the backstop if I didn't hit it, but in all seriousness, the first pitch he threw me was a good pitch to get at least one run in. I fouled it off and I was mad at myself for almost giving an at bat away there...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter believes that fastball command enabled Jeremy Guthrie to hold Tampa Bay to two runs and three hits over seven innings in tonight's 6-2 victory before an announced 14,669 at Camden Yards. Guthrie has allowed three earned runs or fewer in his last five starts. He improved to 8-17 with a 4.22 ERA. Buck Showalter talks with the media after the Orioles' win 6-2 over the Rays "Obviously, his outing was the difference," Showalter said. "You know when you play...

With a strong outing tonight, Jeremy Guthrie got a win over Tampa Bay. He also tied his career high in strikeouts and failed to set a new career high in losses. Guthrie led the Orioles to a 6-2 win over the Rays, who could have closed to within three games of Boston for the wild card with a victory. Rick Dempsey breaks down Jeremy Guthrie's solid start in the Birds' 6-2 win Guthrie, now 8-17 with an ERA of 4.22, gave up just three hits and two runs over seven innings. He walked three and...

With the recently concluded series with Tampa Bay and seven games with the Boston Red Sox over a two-week span in such close proximity to one another, it has led some Oriole fans to root against their own team. For some reason, the O's laying down for the Rays and playing tough against the Red Sox is the desired outcome, hopefully allowing the Tampa Bay to catch Boston and claim the American League wild card lead. Why would I ever root against the Orioles? So that one division rival can oust...

A win here tonight by the Orioles would, not only be damaging to Tampa Bay's playoff hopes, but also allow the Orioles to end the season series with Tampa tied at nine wins each. The Rays have won the last three season series by 15-3, 10-8 and 11-7 last year. Plus, the all-time series would be even at 120 wins each with an Orioles victory in this game. By making this start tonight, Jeremy Guthrie becomes the 11th hurler in O's history to have four seasons of 30 or more starts. Jim Palmer...

Nolan Reimold hit his 10th home run tonight. He also hit the top of the left field fence. It counts. Reimold connected off Rays starter Wade Davis leading off the bottom of the third inning, the ball bouncing into the stands, to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. He's now 3-for-7 lifetime against Davis. Reimold's last home run came Sept. 7 off the Yankees' A.J. Burnett. Jeremy Guthrie struck out four Rays over the first three innings. He got B.J. Upton on a 93 mph fastball, Evan Longoria on a...

The Orioles rank next to last in the American League with 67 stolen bases as a team. But with the September call-ups of Matt Angle and Kyle Hudson the club has more team speed and is now running more. The Orioles had just eight stolen bases in 29 games in August. They have 15 in 13 games this month. The number of 15 ties the O's total for all of May, which was their most steals this year in any month. Manager Buck Showalter today had some praise for Angle and Hudson. Not just that they can...

ARLINGTON, Va. - Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch at the Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards on Friday, Sept. 16. Ovechkin will throw the first pitch prior to the Orioles game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, which is slated to begin at 7:05 p.m. Ovechkin will be available for interviews on the field prior to the game at 5:30 p.m. Media interested in obtaining credentials for this game are advised to contact Orioles public...

Triple-A Norfolk first baseman/outfielder Rhyne Hughes has been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for an amphetamine. The suspension begins at the start of the 2012 season. Hughes isn't on the Orioles' 40-man roster. He made his major league debut in 2010, batting .213 with four RBIs in 14 games. He didn't move above Triple-A this season while batting .249 with 25 doubles, 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 92 games with the Tides. The Orioles will play an exhibition game in Norfolk next...