It hasn’t been easy in 2024 for the Baltimore Orioles. Many experts had high expectations after the team won 101 games and the AL East title in 2023. Early on it looked like the O’s were primed for a division repeat after having a record of 64-44 on July 30. They hit a rough stretch of inconsistency and injuries post all-star break, but they seemingly found their footing at the right time. The Orioles punched their ticket to the 2024 postseason after knocking off the Yankees 5-3.
This is the first time since 1996-97 that the Baltimore Orioles have gone to the postseason in back-to-back years. The O’s have secured the top spot in the AL wildcard standings, meaning that they will host all three games in the wildcard round. Baltimore needed a win and a little bit of help from some friends tonight, and they got just that. They needed either Kansas City or Minnesota to lose, and most importantly beat the Yankees on Tuesday night. Orioles fans did a little bit of scoreboard watching after their team knocked off New York 5-3. The Miami Marlins beat the Twins 4-1 about 10 minutes after the O’s game, sending the birds to the playoffs.
Dean Kremer was the main piece in the two clinching games last season. Kremer was the starting pitcher in the win against the Rays that sent Baltimore to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. He also started the game against the Red Sox that captured the O’s first division title since 2014. Kremer was very solid again tonight, going five innings and giving up three hits and one run on an Aaron Judge homer. Heston Kjerstad kicked off the scoring with an RBI groundout in the second inning. O’Hearn then brought in Santander with his second hit of the night, and Santander led off the sixth with a homer off of the foul pole. Ramon Urias made his presence felt, leading off the seventh inning with an opposite field home run to put Baltimore up 4-1.
The O’s ran into a little bit of trouble in the seventh inning, giving up two runs to cut their lead to one. A wild play in which Gleyber Torres was caught in a run down and tagged out to end the inning helped the O’s keep their lead. Leading candidate for AL ROY Colton Cowser lead off the eighth with a no-doubter to right field, and that was all the O’s needed.
It’s not ridiculous to say that the second half of the season has not been very enjoyable for the Orioles. However, the team and their fans are hoping this exciting win will help fuel them to a deep playoff run early next month. The O’s have two more with the Yankees before heading to Minnesota for three against the Twins. There’s a lot of uncertainty on what will happen in the last five games of the regular season. One thing is for certain though: the Baltimore Orioles are back in the postseason.
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