The New York Yankees bided their time, awaited their ace and all the while, put up the best record in baseball.
And now, Gerrit Cole is on the verge of returning — just in time for their ascendant pursuers to arrive in the Bronx.
The Baltimore Orioles took care of business against two playoff teams this week, winning four of six games from the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies to equal the Phillies' 47-24 record.
And leapfrog them in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.