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Baltimore Orioles and the Razor-Thin Margins of the AL East

By Nate Wardle

Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a two run home run in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a two run home run in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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September baseball certainly makes for some hard rooting decisions for fans of teams still in the playoff race, which includes the Baltimore Orioles.

330 p.m.: I was watching and rooting for Jason Grilli and Roberto Osuna to close out the game for the Toronto Blue Jays and beat the Boston Red Sox. Mission accomplished, 3-2 win.

5 p.m.: I am watching and rooting for the Tampa Bay Rays and Chris Archer to defeat the New York Yankees.

The Baltimore Orioles are in the midst of one of the closest division races of all-time. As of 5 p.m. Saturday, the Red Sox had a one game lead on the Blue Jays, the Orioles were 2.5 behind Boston, and the Yankees were 3.5 back.

If the Yankees win, and the Orioles win, four teams will be between three games in the American League.

For the Baltimore Orioles, it means each game is magnified. The positive in that is that Chris Tillman returns on Sunday to the rotation, and Darren O’Day should not be far behind. The O’s bullpen has been very good in September, despite using some pieces in some blowout games.

The Orioles’ rotation is also pitching better, and if Tillman is effective in his return, it would only further boost the rotation. Buck will have decisions to make as to whether to go with a six-man rotation, or remove the struggling Wade Miley, or Dylan Bundy, who may be showing signs of fatigue. 

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The Orioles’ offense continues to be inconsistent, and it might sink the team once again. The Orioles are very home run dependent. They also are facing some really good pitching the rest of the year, as the Tigers have shown with Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Verlander.

Sure, there are six players with more than 20 homers, led by Mark Trumbo. Adam Jones is hitting very well. But, for many others in the lineup, the RBIs come from the big fly, or not at all.

The rest of the division is a mixed bag. The Red Sox are hot, and are pitching well. The Yankees are surging, also getting good pitching. The Blue Jays are struggling, seeing the pitching that seems to be due for regression, regressing.

With everyone playing each other down the stretch, we could be looking at a repeat of 2012, where the Orioles and Robert Andino conspired with Evan Longoria, the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees’ struggling bullpen to keep the Boston Red Sox out of the game.

I want to say the Orioles will be in playoffs, getting the consistent offense to go with the currently steady pitching to get a wild card spot, or the best division in baseball.

Next: Orioles Control Their Postseason Fate

In reality, I have no idea what is going to happen. For that reason, despite for many September being the start of football, I will be glued to the TV, rooting for results that help the Orioles get closer to a wild card spot.

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