With 20 games left in the regular season, the Baltimore Orioles are tied (yes, tied) with the New York Yankees on top of the AL East. A month and a half ago the Yankees held a seven-game advantage over the Orioles and looked to be in cruise control, But Baltimore fought back and have played their best baseball of the season to catch up. Will their inexperience in a pennant race affect their play? Or can they stay hot and take a once sure-thing away from the Yankees. Can players like Nate McLouth and Manny Machado keep up with guys like Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson? Can Adam Jones and Mark Reynolds outslug Mark Texiera and A-Rod? Only time will tell.
The Orioles play their last 20 against the Rays (4), A’s (3), Mariners (3), Red Sox (6), and Blue Jays (4) while the Bronx Bombers play the Red Sox (4), Rays (3), Blue Jays (7), A’s (3), and Twins (3). As you can see, both schedules are similar by strength of schedule but in a pennant race anyone can beat anyone on any given day. Don’t count the Rays out either; they are only three games behind with seven games against the Orioles and Yankees. Makes for some great baseball to end the season.
Photo Credits: Rant Sports
