One week and six games later the Orioles’ playoff position has changed slightly but they are still on the outside looking in with 9 games to go. Baltimore needs some help to get in and we’re here to show you who to root for and against in the final stretch of the season. With the Guardians’ win over the White Sox yesterday the crosshairs need to now be on overcoming Chicago since the Orioles own the tiebreaker against them.
Series 1, September 17-20: This could easily determine their ultimate fate if they come out losers as the Orioles host the Milwaukee Brewers at Camden Yards starting Friday the 18th. The Brewers are in control of the NL Central but could use at least two more victories to cement their first-round bye since they are ahead of the Dodgers by three games. The Orioles need to take 2 of 3 here. The White Sox have a four game set against the Tigers and haven’t had a day off since the 7th, so losing 3 of 4 there is possible. The Rangers finish a three game series with the Red Sox before another homestand against the Jays, so they need to lose to the Sox then only win 1 of 2 against the Jays.
Standings: White Sox 78-78, Blue Jays 78-78, Rangers 77-79, Orioles 77-79
Series 2, September 21-24: For the Orioles to actually make the playoffs they need to sweep the Blue Jays here. If they somehow sweep the Brewers in the series before then they could lose a game, but the O’s also need to grab the tiebreaker from the Jays and they are currently 4-6 against them, so a sweep is necessary for them to take that back in case of a tie in overall record. The Mets need to do old Pete a favor and take at least one from their three game series against the Rangers and Kansas City needs to get it together enough to take one at home against the White Sox.
Standings: Orioles 80-79, White Sox 80-79, Rangers 79-80, Blue Jays 78-81
Series 3, September 25-27: If everything happens according the plan outlined with the prior series, the Orioles are in charge of their destiny. That said, it’s hard to see them sweeping the Yankees, so we’ll assume they’ll take two of three here. The Twins need to win one at home against the Rangers to keep them at bay and the Rockies need to win one against the White Sox. Toronto can sweep the Reds at home without any danger to the O’s.
Standings: Orioles 82-80, White Sox 82-80, Rangers 81-81, Blue Jays 81-81
Here’s hoping bad teams try hard enough to win a few games and that the Orioles can keep the hot streak going!
