The Orioles Have Flipped Some Notable Preseason Odds
The Baltimore Orioles entered the season as a young team that many thought could compete for a playoff spot.
Well, they have blown those expectations out of the water so far this year.
The Orioles are the best team in the American League with a record of 88-51.
They have a 3.5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East.
That is a spot where no one thought they would be in the final month of the season.
According to The Athletic MLB, the Orioles had just a 1.3% chance to win the AL East coming into the year.
The Orioles had just a 1.3% chance to win the AL East coming into the season, per @fangraphs odds.
Baltimore's magic number to clinch the division is now 21. pic.twitter.com/M9o839yENT
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) September 7, 2023
Baltimore now has a magic number of 21 to win the division.
The Orioles have proven to the rest of MLB that they are no fluke.
They have a great mixture of young players and veterans who are playing at a high level.
You cannot talk about the Orioles without mentioning the play of Adley Rutschman.
The Orioles started to win the second he stepped on the field.
According to Zach Bollinger, the Orioles’ record did a complete flip once Rutschman took the field.
Adley Rutschman has been in the MLB for 258 games.
In the 258 games prior to Adley being called up the Orioles were 91-167.
In the 258 games since the Orioles called Adley up they are 152-106.
Adley Rutschman established a winning culture the second he stepped on the field. pic.twitter.com/ycOlgdzYkl
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) September 4, 2023
Not only is he a great hitter, but he controls things behind the plate.
He has done a great job working with the pitching staff and getting the best out of them.
It will be interesting to see if the Orioles have enough to dethrone the defending champion Houston Astros.
Houston is getting hot at the right time and they seem like the top contenders for Baltimore.
All things considered, the AL playoffs will be exciting this year.
Jarrett Prendergast
Jarrett is a graduate of Temple University and avid sports fan. He covers the NFL, MLB and NBA with his favorite teams [...]
