One--it is the Magic Number!

 With four games remaining in the Orioles regular season, they begin a series against the Boston Red Sox at home tonight. 

The team's Magic Number is 1. 

That means the Orioles need 1 win or 1 Tampa loss during the remaining games of the season to claim the AL East Division AND the best record in the entire American League for the season. 

And remember, two years ago the Orioles lost 110 games during the season. This year they will, hopefully, win 100 games or more! Their record is currently is 99-59.

Tampa is off tonight and a win by the Orioles gives them the division and first place for the playoffs.

The celebration could begin as early as tonight at OPACY. (Orioles Park at Camden Yards)

Do not expect the Red Sox to roll over and allow the Orioles to win. There is history between the teams in that the Orioles helped to prevent the Red Sox from making the playoffs at the end of the 2011 season by winning 3 of the last 4 games and thereby allowing Tampa to make the playoffs. That season ending series win meant the Red Sox finished 90-72 and suffered through the 2011 Boston Red Sox September Collapse.

The Red Sox will be sending one of their best and most experienced pitchers, Chris Sale, to battle the Orioles tonight. It will not be a cakewalk!   

This year marks the first season since 1966 when neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox made the playoffs--this excludes 1994 when there were no playoffs. 

Should the Orioles notch their 100th victory, it will only be the 6th time in their history that the team has won that many games in a season!

American League East Standings
Including Games through September 27, 2023

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL