Though it took them a little while to get going, the Birds turned it on over the last two weeks and finished up April on a high note, winning 7-2 over the Seattle Mariners. It was their tenth victory in the last 15 contests, a run that helped the team close the month at 16-11.
It was just the fifth time in franchise history that they have managed 16 wins in April, with the other seasons being 1969, 1997, 2005, and 2008. Two of those seasons culminated in postseason berths, while the other two…well, we won’t worry about those.
Over their last 162 games, the Orioles are 91-71. They find themselves 2.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, and a half game back of the New York Yankees. Both of those teams were predicted to finish near the basement of the division, so hopefully they cool off here soon.
If the season ended today – silly, I know, but let’s have some fun – the O’s would be headed to the Bronx for the Wild Card game.
The O’s finish up the series in Seattle today, looking for their fifth straight series win. They’re currently 6-2 in series on the year. A look ahead in May sees them travel to Anaheim to take on the scuffling Angels (9-17), come back home for three against the upstart Kansas City Royals (14-10), then head out on the road again to take on the Twins (11-12). San Diego (10-16) comes to Baltimore for two, followed by Tampa (12-14) and the Yankees (16-10) for three each. The Birds then head to Toronto (10-17) for four before an odd new two home/two away series against the Nationals (13-14).
The first order of business is taking the second series of the west coast swing. Wei-Yin Chen, coming off a sparkling eight inning performance in Oakland, takes on Aaron Harang (0-3 11.37).
