oriole park at camden yards

Considering how well his starting rotation mates had been pitching going into the postseason, Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman expected to be sent to the bullpen for the American League Division Series.

Buck Showalter has never lasted more than four years at any of his previous managerial stops, but his tenure in Baltimore seems to be cresting as he prepares to manage the Orioles in the postseason.

The Orioles' success has already had an impact on Baltimore, both emotionally and financially, and that should continue with the postseason beginning Thursday at Camden Yards.

Dozens of county employees and Baltimore Orioles fans turned out for an Orioles pep rally at Patriot Plaza outside the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson on Oct. 1 as the Birds gear up to face the Detroit Tigers in the opener of the best-of-five American League Division Series Thursday at Camden Yards.

Beer sales thrive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards under veteran beer vendor

With the Kansas City Royals' thrilling, 12-inning victory in the American League wild-card playoff game early this morning, the start time for the Orioles' first game of the divisional playoffs has been set.

For many Baltimoreans, the story of the Orioles is the story of their family. It's a way for fathers and sons to talk, for mothers and daughters to celebrate, for grandparents to share an interest with grandchildren.

Adam Jones and Nick Markakis have different personalities, but when the two take the field together -- as they have on most summer days for the past seven seasons -- they become unified partners for one purpose: capturing the Orioles' first World Series title in 31 years.

Talking with Boog Powell can make you hungry. By the time the Orioles-icon-turned-barbeque-master has rhapsodized about the pleasures of, say, pit beef with horseradish sauce, homemade buttermilk biscuits, and grilled asparagus with rosemary, chances are your mouth will be watering.

The Orioles have hit at least 200 home runs in three straight seasons for the first time in franchise history. But as the club embarks on its second playoff run in three years, there is a question whether their biggest offensive weapon will work in the postseason.

When Orioles executive vice president introduced Nelson Cruz to the media back in February, he was quick to point out the slugger¿s postseason accolades.

In the first year under pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti, the Orioles posted a 3.43 ERA this season. That was the third-best mark in the American League in 2014 and the club's best since a 3.28 ERA on the way to the World Series in 1979.

Sales in Birdland are soaring, as the team advances to the post-season. Team merchandise sales leapt 80 percent in the last four weeks, according to SportsOneSource, which collects data from major retailers. In the last 13 weeks, sales rose 33 percent compared to the same period in 2013.

The start times for the Orioles' first two American League Division Series games at Camden Yards were announced Monday evening, contingent on the outcomes of both wild-card games.

If you were able to get tickets for Thursday night's opening game of the American League Division Championship series between the Orioles and Detroit Tigers, you can look forward to mild, dry weather.

The remaining tickets available for the three possible American League Division Series games at Camden Yards sold out in less than 15 minutes Monday morning, according to the Orioles.

Even though Ubaldo Jimenez's first season in an Orioles uniform has been a rough one, the right-hander believes he has made strides in his last few outings. Jimenez said a slight tweak in his delivery has made his unconventional mechanics a little smoother.

Needing to replace three All Stars, the Orioles looked to Steve Pearce, Caleb Joseph, Nick Hundley and Ryan Flaherty

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he is considering carrying just 10 pitchers for the best-of-five ALDS.

The Orioles' 4-2 loss to Toronto Friday officially eliminated them from earning the American League¿s best record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Right-hander Miguel Gonzalez will likely start the Orioles' regular-season finale in Toronto on Sunday.

Orioles playoff tickets are already a scarce commodity, with only a smattering going on sale to the general public Monday morning.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he still hasn't decided who will start Sunday's regular-season finale against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, but it appears that he's still leaning toward picking right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez.

The Orioles hit three home runs, including Nelson Cruz's 40th of the season, and had 17 hits in a 5-4 win over the Yankees in front of an announced 43,201, putting a dagger in New York's already faint postseason hopes.

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series next week, manager Buck Showalter officially announced Tuesday.

The Orioles were shut out Monday night for the 11th time this season, but they are 8-2 in games after being shut out so far this year. They are 1-2 on the road in the game after being shut out.

The Orioles are still chasing the American League's best record and are still 2 1/2 games back of the Los Angeles Angels for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs after both teams lost on Monday.

The Orioles are a win away or a Detroit loss away from claiming the second seed in the AL playoffs.

The Orioles drew an announced 38,329 for Sunday's finale at Camden Yards for an overall attendance of 2,464,473 in the 80-date season.

The Orioles' regular-season home finale Sunday afternoon ended with a whimper, a 3-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. But they'll be back.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Markakis was still sore after he was hit by a pitch in the back of his right shoulder in the seventh inning of Tuesday¿s game.

Temporary help jobs have climbed to an all-time high of 2.8 million jobs, or 2 percent of the workforce, according to a report released earlier this month, as employers seek hiring flexibility. The staffing industry is expected to be one of the fastest growing sectors over the next decade;

The starting lineup the Orioles fielded Friday night against the Boston Red Sox was one more likely to be seen in March than September.

The Orioles' lineup for Friday night's game against the Boston Red Sox looks more like it is ready for Fort Myers, Fla., in March than Camden Yards in September. That's what happens when you clinch your division with a week-plus to play, I suppose.

It's been a year on the move for Glen Burnie's Steve Clevenger, and one that brought him to the right place at the right time: with the Baltimore Orioles just as the team hit a milestone this past week with its first American League Championship since 1997.

A traffic officer has been released from the hospital after being seriously injured by a car near Oriole Park at Camden Yards before Wednesday night's game, Baltimore police said Thursday.

Steve Pearce got the message. The Orioles already have clinched the American League East. He was celebrating Tuesday night. But, to paraphrase what the kids like to say these days at Camden Yards, "Pearce Won't Stop."

Backed by a two-homer game from Steve Pearce, there was no hangover Wednesday night as the Orioles swept the second-place Toronto Blue Jays with a 6-1 win in front of an announced 37,537 at Camden Yards.

Roughly two weeks ago, first baseman Christian Walker was at Camden Yards picking up his Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year Award. On Wednesday, he was in the Orioles' starting lineup, batting seventh and playing first base in his major league debut.

Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman has been suspended six games and handed an undisclosed fine by Major League Baseball for throwing at Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph¿s head in the sixth inning of Monday¿s game.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh joined the flood of congratulatory text messages delivered to Orioles manager Buck Showalter.

It may not have been the rush like when the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2013, but Orioles fans were out in force in Harford County Wednesday buying gear to celebrate the Birds' 2014 American League East division title.

The recent hot stretch has Nationals' fans dreaming of a World Series. And if Washington gets that far they could face Orioles.

One of the best things about being a sportswriter during a clinching celebration -- whether it's a division title like the Orioles captured Tuesday night or a World Series, which I've covered five times in my career -- is the ability to be in the middle of everything and observe.

The best Twitter pictures from the Orioles' AL East celebration

Here are some quotes from a wild night at Camden Yards -- the Orioles' first division title since 1997.