The Baltimore Orioles are running out of places to stash their talented young players. And running out of peaks to ascend in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
The Orioles’ startling rebuild hit another gear this week as they won three of four games at Tampa Bay to wrest first place in baseball’s toughest division – the AL East – away from the Rays. It was just their second four-game series conquest at Tropicana Field and their first since 2006, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
At 61-38, Baltimore has the top record in the AL and is second only to Atlanta. And the Orioles are in first place after the All-Star break for the first time since August 2016.
So, what now?
Baltimore leaves the Gulf Coast with a two-game lead in the East and faces an interesting week: Three games at Philadelphia in a rematch of its last World Series appearance, in 1983, followed by three at home against the enigmatic New York Yankees.
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By week’s end, all three of those clubs may have a different perspective on how aggressive – or not – to be at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. For now, the Orioles look primed to adopt a buyer’s stance – what with a playoff berth more than likely awaiting.
It’s just more rarefied air, the sort the Orioles haven’t been slowed by this season.
A look at this week’s rankings:
2. Baltimore Orioles (+1)
12. New York Yankees (+1)
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Finally win first game after break on Sunday, breaking a hex of our making, perhaps.
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Cody Bellinger might land a nine-figure contract after a partial season at Wrigley. But it’s supposed to be more than a rehab center, right?
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Orioles reach rarefied air in AL East standings