O\’s On Overdrive

July 21, 2023 O\’s On Overdrive

By: Carlos Alvarez

Orioles Top Rays in Extras (4-3, 10 Innings), Sit Alone Atop AL East Post-All-Star Break for 1st Time in 7 Years

The first two months of the MLB season were all about the Rays, and we drank the Kool-Aid. Tampa Bay’s historic 13-0 start was the talk of baseball in April. They were the first team to 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wins. But lurking in the background of a crowded and competitive AL East — the only division in baseball with all five teams above .500 — were the young Orioles. Then came July. Baltimore’s rebuild appears complete much sooner than expected, and the Rays are floundering beyond belief. After last night’s gritty win in extras (4-3, 10 innings) on Colton Cowser’s sac-fly, the O’s have officially taken the division lead. Baltimore is 11-4 in July while Tampa Bay is an abysmal 3-12, and the Rays are currently on their second five-game skid of the month.

 

AL East Standings

Orioles (59-37)

Rays (60-40)

Blue Jays (54-43)

Red Sox (51-46)

Yankees (50-47)

 

Fun Fact: This is the latest in the season the Orioles have been alone atop the AL East since 2016 (7 years).

 

Watch: Orioles Hand Rays 5th-Straight Loss to Take Over AL East (4-3, 10 Innings)

 

MLB Quick-Hitters

Braves Snap Skid: Atlanta is back in the win column after a four-game slide thanks to Spencer Strider’s 13 Ks and a pair of home runs from Matt Olson (31 & 32). Olson is currently second in the league HR race. Strider also made MLB history with 354 Ks in his first 40 career starts — the most by any pitcher since 1893.

 

Cards Streak to 6th Straight: The Cubs-Cardinals series began with yet another ‘W’ for the birds on the bat (7-2). St. Louis won their sixth straight thanks to homers from Paul DeJong and Jordan Walker while pitcher Steven Matz picked up his first win in nearly a year.

 

Elly De La Cannon: It feels like Reds rookie Elly De La Cruz makes highlight magic every night. EDLC broke his own record for throw velocity on an infield assist last night (99.8 mph). He set the previous record four days prior (97.9 mph), and he already owns more 95-mph-plus infield assists (4 total) than anyone since the stat has been tracked. The Reds beat the Giants (5-1).