Al East

NEW YORK -- Pedro Strop's success at the Orioles' set-up man is a major reason why the O's were in position to close the gap in the American League East to a single game Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Manager Buck Showalter admits that Strop's outings sometime offer “a ride,” because he has so much movement on his pitches. But the results are exemplary. He came into Saturday's game with a 1.86 ERA, fifth best among AL relievers. On Saturday, the 27-year-old Strop came so close to another late-inning hold, but instead he was front-and-center in a costly collapse in the Bronx.

- Despite Orioles manager Buck Showalter's best efforts to play down the importance of this weekend's three-game series against the New York Yankees, this is by no means your ordinary September trip to the Bronx for the Orioles. After the Orioles met for their advance meeting, something they do before the first game of every series, Showalter's words were simple. “The last thing I told them was, 'Hey, have fun, lets go,'” Showalter said. “And they will. They don't take themselves too seriously.” And then Showalter put the ball - and the Orioles' increasing playoff hopes - in the hand of perhaps his most unassuming player.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter often has the same reaction when he thinks a question is obvious, when he thinks something is astounding or when he is sidestepping a pointed inquiry - he tilts his head slightly, cocks an eyebrow and utters one word: “Really?” With their 5-3 victory over the tough Chicago White Sox on Thursday afternoon, these surprising, befuddling Orioles (72-58) have moved within three games of the American League East-leading New York Yankees, who were idle Thursday.

Orioles left-hander Joe Saunders acknowledged he carried some extra adrenaline into his first start with his new team Wednesday night. Saunders grew up in Northern Virginia cheering for the Orioles, and said he spent a handful of times every season at Camden Yards. But his debut as a member of the Orioles didn't lead to positive memories. The 31-year-old veteran, dealt to the Orioles on Sunday from the Arizona Diamondbacks,  allowed four runs in the first inning in a 8-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. The Orioles missed an opportunity to gain ground in the American League East with the loss.

The Orioles have already won the season series with the Chicago White Sox. They can seal their eighth series win in their last 10 with a win tonight. More importantly, the Orioles head into tonight's game against the White Sox with a change to cut the New Yankees AL East lead to 2 1/2 games with a win tonight after New York's 8-5 afternoon loss to the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. The last time the Orioles were just 2 1/2 games back? The 72nd game of the season, after a 2-1 win ove r the Nationals on June 24. Newly acquired left-hander Joe Saunders will be making his Orioles debut tonight.

Orioles closer Jim Johnson saved his 37th game of the season Sunday aftenoon in the Orioles' 7-5 series-clinching win over the Tigers at Comerica Park with another stress-free 1-2-3 ninth inning. The save tied him with former Orioles closer Gregg Olson for second-most saves in a single-season in club history. The first-time All-Star is having a career year in his first season as the Orioles' closer. What makes Johnson's season more spectacular is his success on the road, where he's converted 23 of 24 save opportunities, including 13 straight away from Camden Yards.

The Orioles were able to salvage Thursday afternoon's series finale against Tampa Bay to avoid a three-game sweep, taking hold of second place in the American League East once again. But the Orioles' six-game homestand doesn't get any easier as the hottest team in baseball makes its way to Camden Yards this weekend. Despite a 10-4 loss to Toronto Thursday, the Oakland Athletics have won seven of their last eight games and are 10-2 since the All-Star break. Moments after the Orioles' 6-2 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday, Orioles manager Buck Showalter had already turned the page and looked forward to their three-game set against the A's. "What does it mean for [Friday]

Stop me if you have read this before. OK, don't stop. Because you have read this before. About five times before. But this next stretch is a real test for the Orioles. Maybe the most important of this surprising season. I know, I'll pause to duck the flying fruit. The Orioles keep passing tests. Or they fail them and we expect them to go away and they rally again. This past eight-game road trip to Minnesota and Cleveland didn't look particularly daunting. Minnesota is struggling and the Indians had been playing over their heads in the first half.

Jake Arrieta knows he has the tools to live up to the expectations the Orioles organization has placed upon him. He owns an exemplary arsenal of pitches. He is one of the team's hardest workers, a pitcher with unique attention to detail. He's said several times he now feels the healthiest he's been as a pro. That's what makes his recent slide so frustrating for the 26-year-old right-hander. Two months ago, the Orioles tabbed him as their Opening Day starter. Now Arrieta - winless for more than a month - is looking everywhere for answers.

The Orioles might still be above the New York Yankees in the American League East standings, but they can't seem to solve the Bronx Bombers head-to-head at Camden Yards. The Orioles dropped an 8-5 decision to the Yankees on Monday night under dreary skies and steady showers, their fourth loss to New York this year at Camden Yards. In a game riddled with costly walks and an untimely fielding error, the battle-tested Yankees made the Orioles pay for their miscues. “If you make defensive mistakes against any club at this level, it challenges you if you do it consistently,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.