The Baltimore Orioles have been the best team in the American League East division for a while.
It’s not just a one-week thing: they have been dominating the division since late June.
“AL East since June 24: Orioles (28-16) Rays (24-21) Blue Jays (22-23) Yankees (20-26) Red Sox (18-28),” MLB personality Jared Carrabis tweeted on Tuesday.
AL East since June 24:
Orioles (28-16)
Rays (24-21)
Blue Jays (22-23)
Yankees (20-26)
Red Sox (18-28)— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) August 16, 2022
It’s become evident that, since late June, the Orioles changed the AL East script.
They used to be in last place every year, especially in the second half of the 2010s and the beginning of the 2020s, with the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox dominating the division.
Now, they flipped their fortunes with some savvy management, good young players, and smart moves.
The Orioles, as of Tuesday afternoon, are in possession of one of the postseason spots in the American League with a 60-55 record.
The Orioles Are Thinking About The Future, But What If They Can Make The Playoffs In 2022?
Yes, they traded slugger Trey Mancini and All-Star reliever Jorge Lopez, but those moves were made with the future in mind.
The franchise didn’t expect to contend this season, but here we are: their player development, coaching, managing, and overall talent level all have increased dramatically.
There has been a change in the franchise’s culture.
Hopefully, ownership can recognize that the Orioles’ contention window is opening in a hurry and strengthens the core with some free agent moves in the offseason.
In the meantime, these brave young players will try to bring joy to the city by fighting, unexpectedly, for a spot in the postseason.
They may not be favored to clinch a playoff berth, but they will surely be an entertaining unit to see.
With several young stars such as Adley Rutschman, Ramon Urias, Ryan Mountcastle, Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins, Dean Kremer, Felix Bautista, and Keegan Akin, among others, they will be a fun team to watch.
