Last night, the Baltimore Orioles found their match by facing the Texas Rangers, who won the series between the two teams.
When I say last night, I’m not just talking about yesterday’s game: the Rangers dominated the Rays and Orioles in the playoffs this year.
What we notice in Jeff Passan’s tweet is the end.
He says the Orioles will be back and will be back in the playoffs for several more years moving forward.
And he’s right.
In fact, even though Baltimore looked really bad in the division series for a club that has won over 100 games this season, that falls into the realm of learning.
Their window is not about to close, on the contrary.
The Orioles have taken no shortcuts in building their roster and the guys in place have the trust of the organization.
This week, it was a necessary evil – and the club didn’t have a Corey Seager or Nathan Eovaldi to bail them out. The ball was in the hands of the young people.
And these young people will be back stronger.
I can’t wait to see who will be added this winter, but even if nothing changes, the experience the guys have gained this year (season and playoffs) is invaluable.
Besides, speaking of experience: for the first time in the Majors, Adley Rutschman was swept by another team. Ayoye.
The Orioles hadn’t been since the franchise catcher was recalled. The latter therefore adds to his baggage for the future.
Remember that last year, the Orioles did not buy at the deadline and the club did not make the playoffs, in the end. That too had been added to the experience bag.
And look where that has taken the young, dynamic Orioles in 2023. I anticipate another big step forward in 2024.
But in the meantime, the club that will face the Rangers in the championship series (Astros or Twins) better get up early.
If the Astros win tonight at 7 p.m., it will be them. If the Twins push the series to the limit, it will be decided on Friday, then.
In the Nationals, the Diamondbacks will try to sweep the Dodgers at 9 p.m. The Phillies and the Braves will try to win a second game in their series (tied 1-1) at 5 p.m.
- It was celebrated in Dallas yesterday.
- The Cubs are cleaning up the offices.
- Not easy for the East. #Scanning
