BRONX, NY — The Yankees clinched their American League playoff berth last week in Seattle and the Baltimore Orioles got their opportunity Tuesday night in the Bronx. Two teams that have been neck-and-neck for the AL East division crown until last week when the Yankees widened the gap.
Views from the #Orioles clubhouse as Baltimore clinched a postseason berth tonight with their 5-3 win over the #Yankees in the Bronx ⚾️ ✅ This marks the first time that the O’s have made the postseason in back-to-back years since 1996 & 1997 #LatinoSports #MLB #Birdland pic.twitter.com/hazqRB03Ik
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) September 25, 2024
But the Orioles have struggled enough to wonder how long they will play deep into October? They got their playoff berth as the top AL wild card after their 5-3 win. The Yankees will get another crack at clinching the division Wednesday evening.
It is inevitable, these Yankees after missing the postseason last year and returning to the postseason with another AL East title. Also, the Orioles could meet the Yankees again in October, all pending of course how it all plays out in the next few weeks.
Regardless, again at Yankee Stadium it was a playoff atmosphere. Over 41,000 came to see another celebration but the Orioles popped the champagne in the visitors clubhouse. The Yankees expect to do the same Wednesday night in their clubhouse, worst case scenario they make it official Thursday night to conclude the three-game series.
Yankees watch from the dugout as the O’s take the series opener 5-3 on Tuesday night – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
But it could have been a Yankees celebration, except Gleyber Torres had another base running blunder that stopped a Yankees comeback in the seventh inning with Aaron Judge on deck and two on. Torres, the consistent hitter, leads the league in outs at the plate (six), something manager Aaron Boone will have to address next week when the Yankees are expected to host a best-of-five division series.
But this was a night for the Orioles, issues with their bullpen and not very good since the All-Star break. In a MLB season where no team has been dominant, the Yankees also having their share of issues, this Orioles team also stands a chance to play deep into October.
Gunnar Henderson and the O’s punched their ticket to the postseason on Tuesday night – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
They make late innings interesting with a suspect bullpen and get enough runs. It’s also an issue of the Orioles and makeship starting rotation that has been decimated with injuries.
They could stall the Yankees next celebration Wednesday evening. Right-hander Zach Eflin (10-9, 3.53 ERA) gives them a chance.
“We’re happy,” said Ramón Urías who got an important solo home run in the 7th inning, his 11th of the season.”Good to be in the playoffs we’re ready for it. Amazing, it’s been, I think best moment of my career.”
Ramón Urías hit his 11th home run of the season on Tuesday against the Yankees – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Best moment because at times the Orioles had their doubts, 29-32 in the second half, hardly anything to say they gained momentum as the Yankees got healthy and widened the gap a bit between them.
“I’m so proud of this group,” manager Brandon Hyde said in his celebratory speech to his team before the loud Orioles clubhouse popped the bubbly. “We have dealt with so much crap the last three months.”
He told his team they continued to fight, perhaps this win over the Yankees could lead to that all important momentum with five games remaining before the October run begins next week.
Gunnar Henderson, Ryan Mountcastle, and Jackson Holliday of the O’s, look to go far this October – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Once the Orioles were a season-high 24 games over .500 on June 20, after their 17-5 win over the Yankees. Then it was about the Orioles and the Yankees would never make this a race for the division title.
But baseball is a long season, that is known. Teams struggle, no secret about that, But two of the best teams in the AL had many similar circumstances with injuries and sustaining any type of momentum. This three-game series a month ago was supposed to be crucial, a sweep or winning-two-of-three in the Bronx would decide the division.
Instead, the Orioles got their postseason berth with a win. The Yankees wait another day to claim their crown as champions again of the AL East.
Aaron Judge and Luis Rojas as Judge rounds third base after blasting his 56th HR of the season on Tuesday vs. Baltimore – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“To be able to say that we’re division champs will be great,” said Aaron Judge, who hit his MLB-leading 56th home run with a solo shot in the fourth inning. “We’ll talk about it more when we get there.”
The Yankees will get there at some point this week. The Orioles, now with their mission accomplished, look to go deep into October.
Rich Mancuso is senior writer and contributor of Latinosports.com – X (Twitter): @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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