New York Yankees

Pennant fever returns to Camden Yards tonight, once again unpacking its bags and filling the cramped quarters of the visiting clubhouse. The New York Yankees' September series against the Orioles has turned into an annual celebration of the Haves and the Haven't-A-Clues. In the visitors' dugout tonight, they'll be talking about next month, and over on the first base side, talk is already geared toward next year. Sad, isn't it? Yankees@Orioles Tonight, 7:05, Comcast SportsNet, 1090 AM Starters: Yankees' Cory Lidle (3-2, 3.38)

If the Orioles get past the Texas Rangers tonight, they now know when they'll be playing the New York Yankees on Sunday and Monday. Major League Baseball released the times for the division series games through Tuesday. The Orioles would host the Yankees at Camden Yards on Sunday at 6:15 p.m., ET. Monday night's game at Camden Yards would be at 8:07 p.m., ET. Both games will be broadcast on TBS. The Orioles would have a travel/work out day Tuesday and play in Yankee Stadium.

If you're just buying tickets for next week's homestand, we want to hear why, when and who you'll be going with. The Orioles currently are one game behind the New York Yankees in the AL East, but are tied for the Wild Card lead wth the Oakland A's. The O's host the Toronto Blue Jays for four games over three days on Monday-Wednesday, then close the home schedule Friday-Sunday with three games against the Boston Red Sox. Send an email to...

Actor Josh Charles, a Baltimore native and avid Orioles fan, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the American League Division Series between the Orioles and New York Yankees tonight at Camden Yards. Charles currently stars on the CBS sitcom, The Good Wife, and he previously was featured in the movie Dead Poets Society. Early Monday, Charles posted the following message on Twitter : Yes, I'll be throwing out the first pitch tonight and I will seriously consider naming my first son Buck if the @orioles win. #BUCKleUp

ESPN released its Sunday Night Baseball schedule for the first half of the season Tuesday, confirming that the Orioles will make their first appearance in the weekly national showcase since 2008. The Orioles' April 14 game at the New York Yankees will begin at 8:05 p.m. and will be called by the team of Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and John Kruk. Former Baltimore Sun writer Buster Olney is ESPN's Sunday Night reporter. The last time the Orioles were on Sunday Night Baseball was Sept.

The Maryland State Police have taken steps to remind officers of proper behavior when providing security at Camden Yards after a report said two troopers asked New York Yankees players for autographs during Sunday night's American League Division Series opener. The report from the New York Post said troopers, assigned to provide security around the Yankees dugout, asked Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher for autographs during the ninth inning of the Orioles' 7-2 loss. Greg Shipley, a spokesman for Maryland State Police, said he could not confirm troopers had asked for autographs but said the MSP is investigating the claim and has "reacted as if it did happen.

Damn Yankees. What more can be said - except for stating that they obviously have a pact with the devil? No other rational explanation exists for this baseball madness. While we were sleeping again, the New York Yankees came back Thursday to skin and gut the Arizona Diamondbacks. Same plot, different leading man: Ninth inning and two outs, the two-run homer and then, later into that good night, a 3-2 lead in the series going back to some place called Phoenix. Yankee Scott Brosius hit the home run this time - but it might as well have been Regis or George Costanza.

A scout's take On Hanley Ramirez, Florida's 22-year-old rookie shortstop, who is batting .273 with 19 steals and 50 runs scored Defense -- He's got quickness, great instincts with his feet and hands and has a plus arm. He's just instinctive. He gets great jumps and has tremendous range and arm strength. He'll be in the top class of shortstops. He'll be in the discussion as one of the game's best shortstops in the next two or three years. Attitude -- He was a little maligned in his makeup with the Red Sox, but this is a great, great kid. He has a great work ethic, has fun playing and is a great teammate.

TAMPA, Fla. -- New York Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry is in trouble again, and could face another drug-related suspension after it was revealed last night that he tested positive for cocaine in January. Two television stations released a report from the Florida Department of Corrections late yesterday afternoon that documents the failed drug test, administered on Jan. 19 as part of the regular drug testing that is a condition of his probation for a 1999 conviction on cocaine and solicitation charges.

On occasion, Orioles manager Buck Showalter will wax poetic about certain baseball subjects as if he were sitting on a country porch, telling stories and sipping lemonade. Thursday afternoon was one of those times - when Showalter was asked about managing this weekend against Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly, whom Showalter played with in the minors, managed in the majors and has remained close to over the years. "You know how people say friends are people that know all about you and still like you?