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MLB Stock Up, Stock Down: Rays, Orioles, Mets, Padres

By Scott Roche

May 19, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and relief pitcher Yennier Cano (78) leave the field after the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and relief pitcher Yennier Cano (78) leave the field after the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson
Sep 14, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson (2) prepares to hit against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB Stock Up: Baltimore Orioles

At the All-Star Break, I wrote a second-half predictions piece and one of the predictions was that the Orioles were going to win the American League East and return to the postseason for the first time since 2016. Why? Well, the Red Sox and Yankees were a mess and still are. The Toronto Blue Jays are a team that can’t always be trusted, as evident as in their first two games at home this week against the Yankees where they had an opportunity to clinch a Wild Card berth and were shutout on back-to-back nights.

The Orioles have been the best baseball in the division and they have proven that last season’s run that came up short in a bid for a Wild Card spot was no fluke. They have a good foundation of youth with Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson leading the way.

Losing closer Felix Bautista is less than ideal in September, but the Orioles have an opportunity to win the AL East this weekend at home with four games against Boston, who has seen a slide this month.

At the beginning of the season, it was thought that Baltimore would be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot, but they have exceeded expectations and are going to be the top seed in the American League postseason. You can say that they are a year ahead of schedule.

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