Owing to the peculiar quirks of genetics, the number ten is meaningful to human beings. Ten times ten is that much more meaningful, and here we are. It is the Orioles 100th game tonight. In their 100th game last year, they beat the Royals to improve to a 57-43 record, the fifth game in a five-game winning streak. After that they lost three straight games, because of course they did.
One big difference is that, even with that better record, the O's were in third place, 2.5 games back. They now hold a four game lead in the division despite having a record that is 1-2 games closer to .500. The rest of the division is giving them a chance. Maybe they will take it. It'll help them do so if they rack up the sweep tonight.