Baltimore Orioles: An AL East Report
Jul 29, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) is mobbed at home plate by teammates after hitting the game winning solo home run in the twelfth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Angels 7-6 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
After a tough West Coast road trip, the Baltimore Orioles continue to lead the AL East. The current standings look like this after a win against the Anaheim Angels in Baltimore:
- Baltimore Orioles (59-46)
- Toronto Blue Jays (58-50) – 2.5 games behind
- New York Yankees (55-51) – 4.5 games behind
- Tampa Bay Rays (53-54) – 7 games behind
- Boston Red Sox (48-59) –12 games behind
The AL East has proven to still be one of the toughest divisions. The Orioles are playing excellent baseball with the Blue Jays and even Yankees staying within range.
The Orioles are a season-high 13 games above .500 with a 16-7 record in the month of July. The Rays were a season-worst 18 games below .500. Read that again, and read the standings again.
The Rays are now a single game below .500 as of July 29th. The Blue Jays and Yankees may be within five games, but the Rays are the most dangerous team the Orioles have to deal with.
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I wrote that the Blue Jays and Yankees needed to lose to non-divisional teams earlier in the month, so the Orioles could create a bigger lead before September.
At one point in July, both teams were a combined 17-2 against non-divisional opponents. Every AL East team, except the Red Sox, has a winning record in July, with the Rays having the best record.
Between the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Rays, they have a combined 23-7 record over each of their past 10 games. The Orioles are 7-3.
Though there is a difference, the Orioles have played tough teams, such as the Oakland A’s and the Angels, while the Blue Jays and Yankees have not faced any true competition with exception of battling each other.
Despite playing to impressive records, the Blue Jays and Yankees have not proven they are any true danger to the Orioles before the September matchups.
I consider the Rays more of a danger to the Orioles’ chances of finishing in first place. They have played against good teams and managed to stage an amazing comeback, which I hope does end well for them.
”I consider the Rays more of a danger to the Orioles’ chances of finishing in first place”
After the road trip, I wish the Orioles had a stronger lead, but the AL East never cooperates.
The Orioles need a strong August to stay ahead of the pack. They have one series against the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Rays. These series will be key in holding first place.
Right now, the Orioles are playing like a playoff team. August is going to test them, and with the way the rest of the East is playing, the Orioles are going to have to muster up all the strength they have.
Thankfully, the series against the AL East teams will help to ease the load if they can win them.
If the Orioles play the cards right, they could easily hold a commanding lead heading into September.
The Blue Jays and Yankees have mixed schedules leading up to September with good and bad teams. This makes the Orioles winning the series against them even more important.
The Orioles may be playing for October in the long run, but right now, they need to set their eyes on September.
September baseball is going to make or break their playoff chances if they do not create more space in the AL East.