With all the talk of Mark Reynolds' homer and strikeouts totals and what they could be this year, we may have overlooked something: The guy has a decent track record of getting clutch hits. "I like hitting with guys on. When you bat with runners in scoring position, it's your job to drive them in. That's the mentality I've had my whole career," he said. Yesterday, Reynolds came up with two men on and none out in the top of the seventh in a 1-1 tie. He promptly doubled in a run for the...

I'll pass along a few notes before the Orioles kick off the home portion of their schedule. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy bringing them to you. Luke Scott is still hoping to play Wednesday after sitting out yesterday's game at Tropicana Field with a strained groin muscle. He's not in today's lineup, but he's available to pinch hit if needed. "It feels much better," Scott said. "The real test comes when I put some effort into it, but I'm optimistic." Justin...

Like Orioles fans, catcher Matt Wieters is excited with the team's 3-0 start. But he isn't getting too carried away with it. "It was big to start off the season that way, but it's just three games of 162," Wieters said. "We've got Detroit coming in today and we've got to try to get a win today." Wieters has gotten praise from Buck Showalter and his coaching staff for his game-calling behind the plate during the Tampa series. "Those first three games, our guys were able to throw...

Hi, my name is Dave NIchols and I write about the Washington Nationals. No, that's not my introduction at some self-help meeting, but it may as well be. I started a general baseball blog several years ago that grew into what Nats News Network is today: one of the very few independent Web sites credentialed to cover Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals. I am also credentialed to cover, and have a site dedicated to, the Washington Capitals. I consider it a great privilege and...

Hello MASNsports.com readers, and welcome to my first post on this fine Web site. My name is Stacey Long and I am the editor-in-chief at CamdenChat.com. Since 2005, Camden Chat has provided daily coverage of the Baltimore Orioles that is, in my (admittedly biased) opinion, the best you'll find on the Internet. Our writers are always intelligent, often hilarious and occasionally grumpy. With statistical analysis, thoughtful commentary and an occasional inspired haiku, Camden Chat covers the...

Jeremy Guthrie is hospitalized with a bad case of the flu and could miss today's Orioles home opener at Camden Yards. The right-hander delivered the message in this tweet a short time ago. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed the news a few minutes later while meeting with reporters. Guthrie, who won the Orioles' season opener Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla., against the Rays, said he will be rooting for a victory from the hospital. He's still scheduled to make Wednesday's start against the...

The batting cage has been rolled on the field. We're getting closer to first pitch. No ivy in center field. And I'm pretty sure those are drink rails in the second deck in left field. Here's the Orioles' lineup, which will look more familiar to you: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF J.J. Hardy SS Jake Arrieta RHP

This morning, plenty of parents faced a dilemma as they sent their kids off to school: How to word the letter to administrators requesting an early dismissal. Officially, there are a plethora of reasons why a kid in or around Baltimore would need to leave school a little early today. Doctor's appointments usually don't arouse much suspicion. Ditto for a dental exam. Maybe a funeral. Whatever the reason, sometime around noon or a little after, little Johnny or Jane will be packing up books...

The defending Single-A Carolina League champion Potomac Nationals announced their 2011 roster today. A lot of people within the organization have talked about how talented the roster looks to begin defense of the Mills Cup, with players like Rick Hague, Destin Hood, Sandy Leon, Trevor Holder and Danny Rosenbaum. Pat Lehman is a George Washington product. Also of interest is Lenny Dysktra's son, Cutter Dykstra, who is one of the six infielders on the 25-man roster. Here is the...

If any of you predicted that the Orioles would be 3-0 while allowing just three runs,and Boston would be 0-3 while giving up 26, we need to talk. I need some help with lottery tickets. The Orioles put together an amazing weekend performance against Tampa with superior pitching, stellar defense and some timely hits. While the club batted just .222 as a team during the weekend, the O's went 8-for-19 with runners in scoring position. They got clutch hits to back the pitchers. While there was...