Some O's stats and facts to consider as they now have a 21-13 record since Buck Showalter took over. That is the second best record in the AL in that time, best among AL East clubs and a winning percentage of .618. The O's last playoff team, the 1997 Orioles, went 98-64 for a .605 winning percentage. The last two games, the young guns of Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta are a combined 2-0, 3.65 vs. NY while Burnett and Sabathia are 0-2, 6.08. Sabathia and Burnett have made 590 career starts...

The Nats and Mets are even at 1-1 in the series following Tuesday's 4-1 New York win at Nats Park. After starters Jordan Zimmermann and Yunesky Maya departed in the first two games, the bullpen threw nine innings of shutout ball. Scott Olsen, Collin Balester and Ross Detwiler combined to throw nine scoreless innings, 10 strikeouts, and just a pair of walks. Olsen threw four innings on Monday. Balester pitched the ninth inning yesterday and two innings today, striking out five of the nine...

There's no question the Orioles are a different team since Buck Showalter took over as manager on August 3. Showalter has pointed out that he has had the benefits of a healthy roster with key players like Brian Roberts contributing to the success. And while that is accurate, Showalter's contributions to the improved consistency and winning are critical. With a three-year contract, the players know that Showalter is in charge and he will have a big say in the roster changes that will...

In baseball's version of a stunning upset, the Orioles beat CC Sabathia, denied him his 20th win, ended his 21-game home unbeaten streak and now have a chance to sweep the Yankees in New York for the first time in 24 years. Yes, the O's had a good night in the Bronx. Jake Arrieta allowed just two runs for his second win this year vs. the Yankees and the Birds scored three in the first off Sabathia in a 6-2 win. Gary Thorne talks with Buck Showalter after the O's 6-2 win over the...

The Orioles ran up CC Sabathia's pitch count tonight and watched him walk off the mound in the seventh inning. Sabathia is gone after 6 1/3, with Nick Markakis' RBI single the final blow. Sabathia will win 20 games this season, but he won't reach that milestone tonight. What a sweet piece of hitting by Markakis, who again slapped the ball to the left side and through the hole between short and third. Sabathia allowed nine hits and exited with the Orioles ahead, 6-2. Five of the runs off...

As expected, another Major League team has taken over in Bluefield, where the O's affiliate recently played its last game with Baltimore as its parent club. Toronto has signed a four-year working agreement to supply players to the Appy League team and rename them the Bluefield Blue Jays. Had no big league team taken over there, the Orioles would have stayed on with Bluefield, but that was not expected to happen. Here is the story about Toronto adding Bluefield from MLB.com.

This would not be an upset on a par, say, like the Jets over the Colts in Super Bowl III, but the O's and Arrieta over the Yankees and Sabathia would be an eye opener. My eyes opened wide when Nolan Reimold hit that shot halfway to Brooklyn for a 5-1 lead. Keep in mind, Sabathia had these stats entering this start: *11-0, 2.27 this year in 14 home starts. *He is unbeaten in his last 21 starts at home dating to last year's All-Star break, going 16-0, 2.05 with a .197 batting average...

Despite the fact he almost never plays, Jake Fox remains an upbeat, optimistic, hard-working guy. He says he feels certain the Orioles will give him a chance, but it sure hasn't happened yet. Fox has just 19 at bats since August 1 and has started just one of the last 17 O's games. "I know at some point, I will get my opportunity to show them what I can do. I know it's coming. I've had conversations with Buck and I know it's going to happen," Fox told me during the last...

Did that just happen? The first five batters reached against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia, as the Orioles bolted to a 3-0 lead. Four of them singled, including Adam Jones, who drove in two runs. Third base coach Gary Allenson aggressively sent Nick Markakis, who looked like he would be an easy out. The ball arrived in plenty of time, but catcher Jorge Posada couldn't hold onto it. Posada committed a passed ball earlier in the inning that allowed Brian Roberts to advance to second...

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced the nominees for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. The Nationals have selected Josh Willingham this season and they will honor his nomination during the ninth annual Roberto Clemente Day on September 8th. The Roberto Clemente Award honors players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award recognizes the legacy and contributions of Roberto Clemente,...