Now, the playoffs are here for the Baltimore Orioles and everyone in Birdland. Never did I think this would come; however, by Saturday morning, we will all know whether the Orioles will take on the New York Yankees or go home.
Whether the Orioles win or lose of Friday, a franchise that was pretty much moribund has had life injected back into it thanks to a winning season.
Although people look for something into sports that may or may not sometimes exist, the Birds have brought a community of like-minded fans back together and their success has made us all believe more is possible.
The future for the Baltimore franchise is brighter than it has even been over the past two decades, and they matched up against the big boys of the American League East in 2012.
Many people don’t believe that a manager makes a difference; however, it is clearly evident the influence Buck Showalter has had with the Orioles. He’s changed the culture with the franchise, given his players confidence, accountability, but most important – has given them a winning mentality.
Joe Saunders takes the hill against the Rangers on the road in Arlington, Texas, and the season for Baltimore will ride on how his arm. Yu Darvish toes the rubber for the Rangers, and although he struggled in July and August, the tall Japanese hurler has done the job in September.
Personally, I have no idea who will win the game on Friday. I just know that it will be fun seeing the Black and Orange in the postseason for the first time in 15 years.
If there’s one thing positive for the Orioles, it’s that the Rangers have been just awful. They blew a 13-game divisional lead throughout the summer, lost seven out of their last nine games and were swept by the Athletics over the weekend.
Of course, the fact that Texas has been so bad over the past few weeks does not negate this fact: they have been in the World Series over the past two seasons.
The Orioles played very well down the stretch; however, they ran into a roadblock against the Tampa Bay Rays and now hope the Texas Rangers don’t come out roaring after their stunning loss of Wednesday.
At this point anything can happen. The only thing that Baltimore can do is take it one game at a time.
