(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Orioles have been an entertaining team this year.
After an 83-win season in 2022, the Orioles have come back in 2023 with a vengeance, and are prepared to make a run at the postseason for the first time since 2016.
With a 4-3 win on Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore officially climbed into the top spot in the American League East.
They now lead the division over the Rays by a game.
On Twitter, MLB posted a graphic featuring the final score from Thursday night’s game to celebrate the fact that the Orioles are now officially in first place for the first time since 2016.
First place in the AL East officially belongs to the @Orioles. pic.twitter.com/S0Y1tuOQb2
— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2023
2016 was also the last time Baltimore reached the postseason.
They won 89 games that year and secured the second AL Wild Card spot.
Seven years later, they’ve finally overtaken the rest of the pack and are now at the top of the AL East.
Baltimore last won the AL East in 2014.
That year, they reached the ALCS.
The team has won eight of their last 10 games, while the Rays have been slumping and are on a five-game skid.
But it’s the Orioles who have heated up as of late.
After Thursday’s big win, the O’s have a record of 59-37, which is the best record in the American League.
The Texas Rangers aren’t too far back, but Baltimore has given their fans an encore to the excitement of 2022 with this year’s success.
For now, first place in the AL East belongs to the Orioles, who will look to build their lead.
The post The Orioles Have Officially Staked Their Claim In The AL East appeared first on The Cold Wire.