In addition to their narrow half-game lead atop the American League East, the Orioles come into Saturday afternoon’s game against the Rays with a magic number of 11 to clinch anything at all. We’ll have an idea of possible movement for the East standings not long after this game gets under way, because the Yankees are in action against the Cubs starting at 2:20.
The best thing that the Orioles can do to increase their lead and decrease the magic numbers is keep on winning. So far in September, that’s what they’re doing. After two straight losing months, the O’s have started the season’s final month with a 4-1 record.