Unusual Suspects in the AL East
For just about the past decade it has been the same old story year in and year out in the American League East – the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox battling it out for the division title come September. And though all New England sports fans know the tragic and embarrassing story that has been the 2012 Red Sox team, with all of our attention now turned to the football field, we are missing out on an unbelievable run from the low budget Baltimore Orioles. With seven games left to be played in the Baltimore season they are just a game and a half behind the Evil Empire for first place in the division, and leading the American League wildcard race.
The Orioles, who have not made the playoffs since 1997, are hitting the peak at just the right time, going 7-3 in their last ten games with three of those wins coming in dramatic fashion in extra innings. Winning in eighteen, eleven, and twelve innings respectively, this energetic young team may remind many Red Sox fans of a 2004 Sox team that had the same flare for dramatic games, and went on to be World Series Champions. Needless to say this team is fun to watch, and has definitely caught the eye of fans all around the league with their late push to assert themselves with the big guns atop the American League.
What separates the Orioles from most of the other playoff contenders however, is their payroll. Shelling out just over 80 million in total payroll this year, the Orioles ranked 18th in the MLB. Whereas the Philadelphia Phillies and the Red Sox, with payrolls of $173 million and $146 million respectively, find themselves far out of the playoff race and ready to be playing golf in October while the Orioles make a run at a title. Maybe this says something about playing for money versus playing for the chance to earn some respect for your team and your city. Who knows? But the fact that this new-look Orioles team is the real deal is not up for debate, and they promise to be a fun team to watch as October playoff baseball grows closer.
Image 1 found via google search at: www.freesworld.com
image 2 found via google search at : www.blessyouboys.com