For an O's fan, this might be the most interesting playoff race ever

[atomic]

We currently have the toughest strength of schedule for the year so far.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/rpi/_/sort/sos

We are also the 4th best team in MLB according to RPI, which measures record vs opponent records.

Remaining schedule is slightly easier than schedule to this point, at least by measure of opponent average win pct. We have a .510 SOS right now, .506 the rest of the way. Still tough. We have 13 games left against teams with records 10+ games over .500.

The other 7 games are against teams that are at least 22 games under .500.

The Rays have a tougher schedule as they have to play us instead of playing themselves.

[DrungoHazewood]

I would agree and say 1982 was the best race. We were down so far and felt out of it so many times and then to have basically a one game playoff as the last game with our ace starting. It was also Earl's "last game" managing. Palmer was so good that year a shame we couldn't win that one. Needing to sweep the Brewers in a 4 game series to end the season and wining the first 3. And that Brewer line-up was deadly. Hard to ever replicate that season.

That was an amazing run, really the first pennant race I was fully aware of and remember. I was 10/11 that year. I remember snapshots, like thinking how unfair it was the Brewers traded for Don Sutton so late in the year while the O's just went with what they had. When did Earl announce he was retiring? I forget. Didn't John Shelby come up in September and have 2-3 key baserunner kills at home plate?

Bittersweet, not unlike '89. Those two years and '12 make me appreciate the good fight, even if you come up short.

[atomic]

That was an amazing run, really the first pennant race I was fully aware of and remember. I was 10/11 that year. I remember snapshots, like thinking how unfair it was the Brewers traded for Don Sutton so late in the year while the O's just went with what they had. When did Earl announce he was retiring? I forget. Didn't John Shelby come up in September and have 2-3 key baserunner kills at home plate?

Bittersweet, not unlike '89. Those two years and '12 make me appreciate the good fight, even if you come up short.

Yeah 89 was a great season as well. After coming off such a terrible season the year before made it special. I really don't remember much about the 83 season. More memores of losing to Pirates in 79. Still have images of Kent Tekulve striking out Orioles.

[OFFNY]

o

o

This late season Pennant race reminds me of the Orioles' 2012 stretch run.

The Orioles were oh so close to the 1st-place Yankees right down until the final few games, but they just couldn't quite overtake them. They did manage to attain a Wildcard berth though, and they the Rangers in the one-game playoff.

This upcoming series reminds me of a series against the Tigers that year. It was late August, and the Tigers were as tough then as they are now. The Orioles lost the first game of the series, a game in which 1st baseman Mark Reynolds went ballistic over a horrible overturn of a call that was initially ruled (correctly) in favor of the Orioles. Reynolds slammed his glove down, and was promptly ejected from the game. The Orioles lost that game, but they came right back and won the next 2 games.

I see this upcoming series similarly to that one against the Tigers in 2012. Even if the Orioles happen to drop the opening game of the series tomorrow, I am confidant that they can come back and win the next 2 on Saturday and Sunday.

Those 2012 Orioles were a scrappy, spunky bunch who were not afraid of any team, or any challenge ........ I feel the same way about this 2016 team.

o

Well, nobody threw their glove on the ground and went ballistic like Mark Reynolds did 4 years ago, but there was some questionable home-plate umpiring from Joe West tonight.

And it would be nice if we followed suit like we did in that series from 4 years ago, and won the next 2 games to take the series.

o

And history has repeated itself.

After dropping the first game of a crucial 3-game set against the Tigers late in the season ........ a game in which the umpiring was questionable, as it was on that August day 4 years ago when Mark Reynolds was ejected from the game for arguing a horrendous call ........ the Orioles came back to take the final 2 games of the series.

Way to go, Orioles.

o

In somewhat similar fashion, the Orioles dropped the first game of their series to the Blue Jays, in Toronto ........ but came right back to win the next 2 to take the series, and keep their playoff hopes alive.

[LookitsPuck]

There are 320 outcomes in the remaining 3 games left on the schedule (4 for the Tigers) that impact the O's chances of at least forcing a tiebreaker.

Of those 320 outcomes, there are 43 that would cause the O's to be knocked out...13.4%.

They are as follows:

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 0-3 (87-75) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 0-3 (87-75) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 2-2 (87-75), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 2-2 (87-75), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 2-2 (87-75), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 1-3 (86-76), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 1-3 (86-76), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 1-3 (86-76), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 0-4 (85-77), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 0-4 (85-77), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 0-4 (85-77), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

[Filmstudy]

1974 and 1989 were my favorite races. I couldn't enjoy '82 the same way, because the local station in Syracuse decided to play a movie instead of the ballgame on Sunday.

I'm not old enough to recall '64 or '60. Those must also have been cool, even though the teams lost.

[Filmstudy]

There are 320 outcomes in the remaining 3 games left on the schedule (4 for the Tigers) that impact the O's chances of at least forcing a tiebreaker.

Of those 320 outcomes, there are 43 that would cause the O's to be knocked out...13.4%.

They are as follows:

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 1-2 (88-74), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 0-3 (87-75) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 4-0 (89-73), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 0-3 (87-75) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 2-1 (87-75), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 1-2 (86-76), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 3-1 (88-74), Seattle 0-3 (85-77), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 2-2 (87-75), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 2-2 (87-75), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 2-2 (87-75), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 1-3 (86-76), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 1-3 (86-76), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 1-3 (86-76), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 0-4 (85-77), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 3-0 (90-72) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 0-4 (85-77), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 2-1 (89-73) - O's knocked out

- O's 0-3 (87-75), Tigers 0-4 (85-77), Seattle 3-0 (88-74), Toronto 1-2 (88-74) - O's knocked out

The MLB site has the O's at 88% now, so that would probably indicate that no team has a chance much better than their chances assuming .500 Win pct for all. Seattle at 11% is better than their straight .500 for all games.