Ed Szczepanski – US PRESSWIRE
Another day of baseball in September where the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees end the night tied atop the AL East. Both teams are tied at 81-63 with 18 games to play.
The Orioles lost a nail biter tonight to the Oakland Athletics 3-2. It’s tough for Orioles fans to see because they have gotten accustomed to seeing the Orioles pull out the victory in one run games.
One positive Orioles fans can take from this game is Jake Arrieta’s dominating performance in relief. I really do believe Arrieta has a future as a late inning power arm if he doesn’t work out as a starter. Arrieta pitched two scoreless innings tonight in relief, striking out five batters.
Right now the Orioles need a power arm in the back end of their bullpen to replace Matt Lindstrom and take some of the pressure off of Darren O’Day and Luis Ayala. But enough about tonight’s game.
Let’s take a look at the overall playoff picture. The Orioles and Yankees have been going back and forth in the AL East recently with the Orioles unable to take the lead in the division. The Yankees have bent, but not broken.
The Orioles had a chance to take sole possession of the division after watching the Yankees lose to the Rays earlier in the evening. However, they ran into an equally hot A’s team.
If the Orioles are going to win the AL East it isn’t going to be easy. The Yankees are beat up, but they aren’t going to go away quietly, as evidence by them not allowing the Orioles to take sole possession of the division lead.
Don’t forget the Tampa Bay Rays, because if you do, they will make you pay for it. My guess is the final series of the year between the Orioles and Rays could decide who is in and who is out in the AL East.
BUCKLE UP Orioles fans because Saturday is another day of September baseball.
