O's game blog: Orioles look for four-game sweep of Twins

The Orioles today play their final regular season game against an American League Central opponent. With a win today they will have a winning record over the Central at 17-16. Just as long as there is no pressure. The Orioles have won seven straight games against AL Central opponents dating back to Aug. 17 and Sunday's win evened their record against the division for the season. The Orioles also have a chance for their first home four-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles did sweep a five-game series at Memorial Stadium against Minnesota from July 1-3, 1966, but they have never had a four-game home sweep of Minnesota. The O's swept a four-game road series at Minnesota in August of 2011. Right-hander Kevin Gausman (7-6, 3.84 ERA) gets the start today. Gausman is 3-4 with a 4.33 ERA and .293 average against since the All-Star break. In his last two starts he has pitched a combined nine innings allowing 12 hits and six runs, throwing 181 pitches. He needs to lock in better on his command this afternoon. Right-hander Phil Hughes (14-9, 3.70 ERA) gets the start for the Twins. In five August starts, Hughes was 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA. In 35 innings he has walked just two with 34 strikeouts. Since the start of the 2013 season, Hughes has made 56 starts allowing just 57 walks. Earlier today the Orioles announced the list of minor league players that will report to Sarasota, Fla. on Sept. 5 and begin workouts the next day. These players are not being called up, but they could be later in the month. They are staying ready just in case. The list includes these position players: Dariel Alvarez, Buck Britton, Michael Ohlman, Henry Urrutia, Christian Walker and Brian Ward. It includes these pitchers: Oliver Drake, Eddie Gamboa, Preston Guilmet, Brock Huntzinger, Chris Jones, Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright. The Orioles are a season-high 23 games over .500. The last time they were 24 games over .500 was the end of the 2012 season (93-69). The Orioles' nine-game lead matches their largest of the season. Last time they held a double-digit lead in their division? That was September of 1979.