Orioles, Rays clinch postseason spots
The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays are heading to the posteason.
The two clubs secured their respective berths in the playoffs by virtue of the Texas Rangers losing to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.
The Orioles are back in the postseason for the first time since 2016. Baltimore has enjoyed an incredible season with homegrown talent leading the way.
"This is a very special group of people," Orioles president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Elias said postgame, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. "We're just getting started in terms of what I think this team can do within the next several years, and the next month-and-a-half."
Baltimore lost 100 or more games three times in four seasons from 2018 to 2021 before rebounding with a surprising 83-79 record last season. The team celebrated accordingly following Sunday's big moment after years of frustration:
This Bird Bath smells like October. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/WETNe7ywhL
— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2023
Meanwhile, the Rays have qualified for the playoffs in five consecutive seasons. The Orioles defeated Tampa Bay 5-4 in 11 innings Sunday to earn a split of their four-game series.
The victory pushes Baltimore's lead in the AL East to two games over the Rays.