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Happy Saturday, Camden Chatters! We’re down to the final weekend with just two Orioles game yet to be played. Last night the O’s had a good start to their last series, defeating the Red Sox 4-1. I love a good win over the Red Sox, don’t you? If you missed it, Alex Church documented all of the lovely totals in his game recap. Don’t forget to vote in the MBP poll, too. Either choice is a fine one, but I went with Renato Núñez.
There is little for any team to play for in this last weekend of the season. All ten playoff teams have been determined. In the American League, the only thing left to be determined is the ranking of the wild card teams. The A’s and Rays are currently tied in record at 96-64. If they end the season tied, the A’s will be the first wild card by virtue of their 4-3 head-to-head record.
In the National League, the Nationals have clinched a wild card spot and have a two game lead over the the second wild card team, the Brewers. But the Brewers are only one game behind the Cardinals in the NL Central, so they could lock that in if they win the next two games and the Cardinals lose.
Links
After big court decision in TV rights dispute, Orioles and Nationals disagree on how much MASN ordered to pay - Baltimore Sun
In case you're still trying to figure all of this lawsuit stuff out, here is some more info.
Orioles, Ravens executives share strategies for drawing fans to Baltimore - Baltimore Business Journal
It's all about winning those young fans, apparently.
Will Jonathan Villar Be Back With Orioles In 2020? - Press Box Online
The options for Villar are to trade him, keep him, or non-tender him. If they can trade him, fine. But I'll be annoyed if they non-tender him just to save money I'll be super annoyed. Some of us are still watching these losers and need something to cling to.
Red Sox fall to Orioles, assured of losing record at Fenway - Lowell Sun
Is it petty of me that this headline brings me a bit of happiness? If so, I’m ok with that.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have three Orioles birthday buddies. The most memorable is Todd Frohwirth, who spent three seasons, 1991-93, as a relief pitcher with a submarine delivery with the Orioles. After his playing career, Frohwirth worked as a scout for the Orioles for several years. Today would have been his 57th birthday, but he sadly passed away in 2017 from complications due to stomach cancer.
Also celebrating today are former Oriples Mike DeJean and Grant Jackson. DeJean had a ten-year pitching career in the MLB, including 37 games out of the bullpen for the 2004 Orioles. Today he turns 49. Grant Jackson pitched in the majors from 1965-1982 and was with the Orioles from 1971-76. In 209 games with the O’s, Jackson had a 2.81 ERA. Today he is celebrating his 77th birthday.
On this day in 2011, the Orioles defeated the Red Sox in the bottom of the ninth inning when Robert Andino singled in the winning run off of Jonathan Papelbon. The win put the final nail in the coffin for the 2011 Boston Red Sox, who had started the month of September in first place in the A.L. East. They seemed like a lock for the playoffs until they went 7-19 to end the season, including 2-5 against the Orioles over the final 10 games of the season.
It was the most exciting possible ending to a season a 93-loss team could have, and a win that kicked off a period of winning for the Orioles that lasted through 2016.