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Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez said he was somewhat surprised that he was added to the Orioles' American League Division Series roster, but he thought he might have a chance after the way he had pitched down the stretch.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Thursday's game that he faced some difficult choices in selecting the team's American League Division Series roster, but he said the decision to add right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez gives his 11-man pitching staff a dynamic that he likes.

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.

With their spot in the American League Division Series solidified, the Orioles have rested starters while auditioning players ahead of some tough playoff roster decisions. But they've also committed seven errors in the last three games — including three on Saturday — which is uncharacteristic for manager Buck Showalter's defensive-minded club.

The starting lineup the Orioles fielded in Friday night's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre was missing 98 homers and 304 RBIs. Without Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones, Steve Pearce and J.J. Hardy, the Orioles were minus a significant amount of offensive punch.

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.

Defense has been one of the keys to the Orioles' success over the past three seasons. But since they lost American League Platinum Glove winner Manny Machado for the season following right-knee surgery in August, the club has struggled to find a steady replacement.

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

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.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter will meet with his staff Monday to decide the team's roster for the American League Division Series. In the meantime, he still wants to get some final looks at players before making those choices.

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.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Monday's series opener against the New York Yankees at Yankees Stadium that he plans to use four starters in the American League Division Series.

With a 10-game homestand beginning Friday, the Orioles are in the driver's seat to clinch the American League East title at Camden Yards for the first time in the ballpark's history. The club plays the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays in the first two series of the homestand.

Games like the Orioles' 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Thursday night's series finale at Rogers Centre are ones that the club will have to win as the season winds down and the playoff chase heats up.

After the Orioles complete their three-game series in Toronto tonight, they still have two more series against the Blue Jays next month, including the final series of the regular season.

The Orioles struggled mightily against Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Drew Hutchison, managing only one hit in a 5-1 loss Wednesday night in front of an announced 33,054 at the Rogers Centre.

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez still didn't know before Wednesday's game when he would make his next appearance for the Orioles, but he said his work day at Rogers Centre was his best of the season.

If you think the Orioles look like a completely different team when they are on the road, that appearance is not deceiving. They've been road warriors all season, and the past two games continue to illustrate that they are more comfortable outside what should be their comfort zone.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't like to draw attention to any of the tweaks that he makes to the lineup. But when he dropped Chris Davis to the No. 7 spot -- the lowest the first baseman has hit since 2012 -- for Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, it raised some eyebrows.

The Orioles wasted no time taking control of the series Tuesday, posting their best offensive output in more than two months in a 9-3 win over the Blue Jays in front of an announced 36,183.

TORONTO ¿ Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will hit from the No. 7 spot tonight for the first time since Sept. 23, 2012 as Delmon Young will bat from the cleanup spot for the second time in the past three games.

The Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners, 1-0, thanks to a home run by Nick Markakis to lead off the bottom of the first inning and a strong pitching performance by Chris Tillman.

After a 2-hour, 30-minute rain delay, Tuesday's game between the Orioles and the Washington Nationals was postponed because of rain.

Having the All-Star Game in Baltimore would give the Orioles a chance to tout the team's turnaround from years of dismal results, as well as give an incentive with season-ticket packages for 2015 and 2016 if the club ties access to the event to longer season plans. And it would pump millions into the local economy, while giving Peter G. Angelos one of his biggest moments as Orioles owner on a national stage.

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday for persisting soreness in his right elbow, the club confirmed Tuesday.

The Orioles¿ game Wednesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates has been postponed because of rain and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. on Thursday.

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said Thursday before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre that he will no longer comment on anything having to do with contract extension talks until there are developments in the matter.

Nothing has been easy for the Orioles lately, and a familiar script played out in their 10-8 victory over the Blue Jays as the teams combined for seven homers in front of an announced crowd of 15,202.

Shortstop has missed nine games because of injuries so far this season

If you just look at the 9-3 final score from the Orioles' loss Tuesday night in Toronto, you'd never know that the club is riding a strange wave of reversible momentum.

TORONTO ¿ Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is slated to begin his minor league rehab assignment on Friday at the club¿s high Class-A affiliate in Frederick.

The Orioles have been able to catch up on their sleep after completing two games over a 20-hour span in Boston. But they haven't played well in Toronto recently.

The Orioles didn't show any sign of fatigue early, jumping on Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz for six runs in the third inning. And they withstood a late rally by Boston for a 7-6 victory in front of an announced sellout crowd of 37,513 at Fenway Park.

As the Orioles left Boston on Monday afternoon ¿ their bullpen depleted from accounting for 7 2/3 innings over the past 24 hours -- left-hander T.J. McFarland was on his way to Toronto to meet up with the club there to give the Orioles an added relief arm.

The game between the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays tonight has been postponed because of rain. An announcement regarding the makeup date will be announced as soon as possible.

Colby Rasmus' two-run homer off Chris Tillman in the seventh inning Saturday evening gave the Blue Jays a 4-3 win over the Orioles at Rogers Centre.

After Orioles slugger Chris Davis hit his 50th homer of the season Friday night, tying Brady Anderson¿s franchise record for home runs in a single season, I asked Davis where this one ranked among his favorites homers.

TORONTO -- Asked if he had received his historic 50th home run ball from the left-center field stands of the Rogers Centre Friday night, Orioles slugger Chris Davis didn¿t sound too optimistic he¿d be able to retrieve it.

After being swept by the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre this weekend, the Orioles quickly wanted to turn the page on their trip here.

The Orioles couldn't wait to get out of Canada following Sunday's 13-5 loss to the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Darren O¿Day took the high road when asked about the words he¿s exchanged with Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista the past two days.

The Orioles will try to avoid being swept for just the second time this season this afternoon at the Rogers Centre.

A day after Darren O'Day struck him out, Toronto right fielder gets revenge with game-winning homer

Pedro Strop gave up the game-winning hit to Toronto. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was ejected in the second inning.

TORONTO -- As off days go, the Orioles¿ off day in Toronto on Thursday was as productive as they come.

Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen pitched a three-inning simulated game -- a 47-pitch outing -- down in Sarasota on Thursday, throwing all of his pitches with no setbacks.

In this week¿s battle between the two leading home run hitters in the majors, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis got the best of Tigers slugger and reigning Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.

Each Wednesday, Baltimore Sun blogger Matt Vensel will highlight five statistics that really mean something for the Baltimore Orioles.

Kevin Gausman's not quite starting in his home ballpark yet, but he is getting much closer.