Opposite dugout: After latest distractions, Mets need to focus on catching rival Nationals

Opposite dugout: After latest distractions, Mets need to focus on catching rival Nationals
Manager: Terry Collins (5th season) Record: 52-50 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Daniel Murphy (.271/.324/.393 with 36 RBIs), RF Curtis Granderson (.255/.350/.440 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs), SS Wilmer Flores (.249 with 10 HR, 40 RBIs), 1B Lucas Duda (18 HR, 45 RBIs), RHP Jacob deGrom (10-6, 2.05 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (27 saves, 2.22 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-6 Pitching probables: July 31: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Matt Harvey, 7:10 p.m., MASN Aug. 1: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Jacob...
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Orioles to host #BirdlandSocial with Zach Britton on Tuesday, August 18

Orioles to host #BirdlandSocial with Zach Britton on Tuesday, August 18
Following last night's successful #BirdlandSocial at Oriole Park, the Orioles have announced a second Social Media Night on Tuesday, August 18, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the New York Mets. Orioles All-Star closer ZACH BRITTON(@zbritton) and Orioles.com writer BRITTANY GHIROLI (@Britt_Ghiroli) will take part in exclusive question-and-answer sessions with those in attendance, and Orioles public address announcer RYAN WAGNER (@rwags614) will host the exclusive pre-game party on the...
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Opposite dugout: Markakis, Braves struggling with power entering return to Baltimore

Opposite dugout: Markakis, Braves struggling with power entering return to Baltimore
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (5th season) Record: 46-52 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.298/.368/.516 with 12 HR and 41 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.286/.368/.359 with 32 RBIs), C A.J. Pierzynski (.286 with 6 HR, 30 RBIs), RHP Shelby Miller (7-6, 3.78 ERA), RHP Jim Johnson (20 holds, 2.11 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-2 in 2012) Pitching probables: July 27: LHP Alex Wood vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 28: RHP Julio Teheran vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez,...
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Opposite dugout: Pitching highlights series again as Pirates look to get back at Nationals

Opposite dugout: Pitching highlights series again as Pirates look to get back at Nationals
Manager: Clint Hurdle (5th season) Record: 54-40 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (.290/.388/.486 with 12 HR, 57 RBIs), LF Starling Marte (.289/.336/.458 with 13 HR, 50 RBIs), 1B Pedro Alvarez (12 HR and 43 RBIs), RHP Gerrit Cole (13-4, 2.31 ERA), RHP A.J. Burnett (8-3, 2.44 ERA), RHP Mark Melancon (1.43 ERA, 30 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: July 23: RHP Doug Fister vs. LHP Francisco Liriano, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 24: RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP...
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Opposite dugout: Division games could be deciding factor for Yankees in second half

Opposite dugout: Division games could be deciding factor for Yankees in second half
Manager: Joe Girardi (8th season) Record: 50-41 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Brett Gardner (.300/.378/.477 with 10 HR, 42 RBIs), DH Alex Rodriguez (.277/.378/.515 with 19 HR, 52 RBIs), C Brian McCann (.255 with 15 HR, 58 RBIs), 1B Mark Teixeira (.249 with 23 HR, 63 RBIs), RHP Nathan Eovaldi (9-2, 4.50 ERA), LHP Andrew Miller (20 saves, 1.44 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 5-5 Pitching probables: July 21: LHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 22: RHP Kevin Gausman...
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Opposite dugout: Dodgers look to continue controlling NL West with strong pitching

Opposite dugout: Dodgers look to continue controlling NL West with strong pitching
Manager: Don Mattingly (5th season) Record: 51-39 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.283/.355/.520 with 18 HR, 55 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.282/.401/.526 with 14 HR, 36 RBIs), CF Joc Pederson (.230 with 20 HR, 40 RBIs), 2B Howie Kendrick (.292 with 37 RBIs), RHP Zack Greinke (8-2, 1.39 ERA, 0.84 WHIP), LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-6 with 160 strikeouts, 2.85 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 17: RHP Mike Bolsinger vs. RHP Jordan...
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Nationals players to read to youth at D.C. public libraries on Saturday

Nationals players to read to youth at D.C. public libraries on Saturday
WHAT: To celebrate the DC Public Library's 2015 Summer Reading program sponsored by the Washington Nationals, Drew Storen, Stephen Strasburg and Aaron Barrett will visit three DC public library locations on Saturday, July 18 to read to and interact with local youth enrolled in the three-month initiative. The 2015 Summer Reading Program, which runs through August, is the largest program in the District that addresses the "summer slide," or the loss of learning that children experience during...
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Orioles designate left-hander Wesley Wright for assignment

Orioles designate left-hander Wesley Wright for assignment
The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated left-handed pitcher Wesley Wright from the 60-day disabled list and designated him for assignment. Wright, 30, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 11 with a left trapezius strain and was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 24. In two games with the Orioles this season, Wright went 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA (1.2IP, ER).
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Nationals reinstate right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, option left-hander Sammy Solis to Double-A Harrisburg

Nationals reinstate right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, option left-hander Sammy Solis to Double-A Harrisburg
The Washington Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann from the paternity list on Saturday, and optioned left-handed pitcher Sammy Solis to Double-A Harrisburg. Zimmermann will start at Baltimore on Saturday night. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Zimmermann, 29, is 7-5 with a 3.05 ERA this season. The two-time All-Star has been particularly strong of late, allowing just one earned run in his previous three starts, a 0.40...
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Opposite dugout: Nationals looking to deliver in another season with high expectations

Opposite dugout: Nationals looking to deliver in another season with high expectations
Manager: Matt Williams (2nd season) Record: 46-38 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Bryce Harper (.343/.417/.709 with 25 HR, 60 RBIs, 6.1 WAR), 3B Yunel Escobar (.315/.365/.405 with 27 RBIs), 2B Danny Espinosa (.258/.338/.435 with 9 HR, 25 RBIs), C Wilson Ramos (.258 with 8 HR, 38 RBIs), RHP Jordan Zimmermann (7-5, 3.04 ERA), LHP Matt Thornton (2.18 ERA, 1.02 WHIP), RHP Drew Storen (25 saves, 1.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-3 in 2014) Pitching probables: July...
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Orioles recall infielder Christian Walker from Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles recall infielder Christian Walker from Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled infielder Christian Walker from Triple-A Norfolk. Walker, 24, batted .266/.321/.380 (81-305) with 25 extra-base hits and 28 RBI in 78 games with the Tides this season. He hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games with Norfolk, batting .328 (20-61) with five multi-hit games, three home runs, and seven RBI, as well as an 11-game hitting streak in that span. In 85 at-bats this season against left-handed pitching, Walker hit .306/.348/.482 with 26...
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Opposite dugout: Reds looking to reverse fortunes with another big series against Nationals

Opposite dugout: Reds looking to reverse fortunes with another big series against Nationals
Manager: Bryan Price (2nd season) Record: 36-44 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 3B Todd Frazier (.285/.344/.602 with 25 HR, 54 RBIs), 1B Joey Votto (.274/.387/.478 with 14 HR, 39 RBIs), 2B Brandon Phillips (.279 with 31 RBIs), RF Jay Bruce (12 HR, 40 RBIs), RHP Johnny Cueto (5-5, with 100 strikeouts, 2.984 ERA), LHP Aroldis Chapman (16 saves, 1.83 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-0 Pitching probables: July 6: RHP Anthony DeSclafani vs. RHP Doug Fister, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 7: RHP Johnny...
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Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer named National League Pitcher of the Month

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer named National League Pitcher of the Month
Following a month that featured his first career no-hitter and in the midst of one of the most dominant stretches in Major League history, Nationals right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for June on Thursday. Major League Baseball made the announcement. Scherzer, 30, is the first Nationals (2005-present) pitcher ever to earn the honor in back-to-back months, as well as the first Washington pitcher to take home the award twice in one season. The...
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Nationals agree to terms with two international free agents

Nationals agree to terms with two international free agents
The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with two international free agents: outfielder Juan Soto and infielder Luis Aquino. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Director of Latin American Operations Johnny DiPuglia made the joint announcement. Soto, 16, is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. According to Baseball America, he is rated as the No. 13 prospect in this year's international signing class. MLB.com has him...
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Opposite dugout: White Sox dragging along while Orioles have soared since historic meeting

Opposite dugout: White Sox dragging along while Orioles have soared since historic meeting
Manager: Robin Ventura (4th season) Record: 34-42 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Jose Abreu (.291/.342/.488 with 13 HR, 43 RBIs), RF Avisail Garcia (.273/.322/.391 with 7 HR, 29 RBIs), DH Adam LaRoche (.233 with 9 HR, 31 RBIs), LHP Chris Sale (6-4, 2.87 ERA), RHP David Robertson (16 saves, 2.76 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: July 3: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. LHP John Danks, 8:10 p.m., MASN2July 4: RHP Chris Tillman vs. RHP Jeff Samardzija, 2:10 p.m., MASN2July 5: RHP...
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Opposite dugout: Braves look to get Nats monkey off their backs

Opposite dugout: Braves look to get Nats monkey off their backs
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (5th season) Record: 36-40 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: RF Nick Markakis (.300/.387/.355 with 23 RBIs), CF Cameron Maybin (.286 with 6 HR, 36 RBIs), C A.J. Pierzynski (.268/.308/.404 with 4 HR, 24 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.271 with 28 RBIs), RHP Shelby Miller (5-3, 1.94 ERA), RHP Jason Grilli (21 saves, 3.14 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-8 Pitching probables: June 30: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Shelby Miller, 7:10 p.m., MASN July 1: RHP Doug Fister vs....
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Orioles recall LHP T.J. McFarland as 26th player for Game 2 of today's doubleheader

Orioles recall LHP T.J. McFarland as 26th player for Game 2 of today's doubleheader
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled LHP T.J. McFARLAND from Triple-A Norfolk as the 26th player for Game 2 of today's doubleheader. McFarland, 26, has gone 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA (11.1IP, 4ER) in 11 games with the Orioles this season, holding left-handed batters to a .143 batting average (4-28). In nine games (seven starts) with Triple-A Norfolk this season, he went 2-2 with a 3.41 ERA (34.1IP, 13ER) and one save.
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Tonight's Orioles-Indians game postponed due to rain; split-admission doubleheader tomorrow at 1:35 & 7:05 p.m.

Tonight's Orioles-Indians game postponed due to rain; split-admission doubleheader tomorrow at 1:35 & 7:05 p.m.
Tonight's game between the Orioles and Cleveland Indians has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a split-admission doubleheader on Sunday, June 28, at 1:35 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. Separate admission is required for each game. Tickets for today's game marked June 27 will be honored for the 7:05 p.m. game on June 28. Gates for the 1:35 p.m. game will open at 11:30 a.m., and gate times for the 7:05 p.m. game will be announced at the conclusion of the first game. Additionally, in...
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Orioles postpone season plan member autograph session and State of the Orioles Address

Orioles postpone season plan member autograph session and State of the Orioles Address
While tonight's game between the Orioles and the Cleveland Indians is scheduled to begin on time at 7:15 p.m., several special events at Oriole Park including the Orioles Season Plan Member Autograph Session and State of the Orioles Address have been postponed due to rain. The events will be rescheduled for a future date. Fans with questions regarding the Season Plan Member Autograph Session and State of the Orioles Address are encouraged to call Orioles Fan Services at 1-888-848-BIRD.
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Opposite dugout: Indians and Orioles have taken different turns since last meeting

Opposite dugout: Indians and Orioles have taken different turns since last meeting
Manager: Terry Francona (3rd season) Record: 33-38 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Jason Kipnis (.354/.431/.521 with 31 RBIs), LF Michael Brantley (.293/.370/.435 with 37 RBIs), RF Brandon Moss (11 HR, 35 RBIs), RHP Corey Kluber (117 strikeouts, 3.65 ERA), RHP Cody Allen (14 saves, 47 strikeouts) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 26: RHP Corey Kluber vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June 27: RHP Cody Anderson vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:15 p.m., FOX June 28: RHP...
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