How the Orioles fared through 81 games in seasons they made the playoffs

The Orioles play the Texas Rangers in their 82nd game of the season tonight at Camden Yards. Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is scheduled to pitch against Rangers left-hander Joe Saunders, and first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

How does this year's squad stack up through 81 games against successful Orioles teams of the past? With high expectations this season, we'll try to track how the club is performing periodically compared to previous years when the Orioles made the playoffs.

As long as the Orioles remain in playoff contention, we'll track their performance against history. If they fall out of the pennant chase, we'll look at their record in different ways.

With a 42-39 record, the Orioles are 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays (45-39) in the American League East division.

Here's how the Orioles fared in previous seasons when they made the playoffs.

Interesting game

Brooks Robinson's walk-off grand slam with no outs in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Orioles a 6-2 win over the New York Yankees in front of 28,906 at Memorial Stadium on July 7, 1970. Robinson finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs in the victory. The Orioles were 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base in the game. Left-hander Mike Cuellar held the Yankees to two runs and seven hits in 10 innings to pick up his 10th win of the season.

2012

Record: 44-37

Season finish: 93-69, lost in AL Division Series to New York Yankees

1997

Record: 54-27

Season finish: 98-64, lost in AL Championship Series to Cleveland Indians

1996

Record: 44-37

Season finish: 88-74, lost in ALCS to Yankees

1983

Record: 45-36

Season finish: 98-64, beat Philadelphia Phillies in World Series

1979

Record: 54-27

Season finish: 102-57, lost in World Series to Pittsburgh Pirates

1974

Record: 44-37

Season finish: 91-71, lost in ALCS to Oakland Athletics

1973

Record: 43-38

Season finish: 97-65, lost in ALCS to Athletics

1971

Record: 50-31

Season finish: 101-57, lost in World Series to Pirates

1970

Record: 51-30

Season finish: 108-54, beat Cincinnati Reds in World Series

1969

Record: 56-25

Season finish: 109-53, lost in World Series to New York Mets

1966

Record: 55-26

Season finish: 97-63, beat Los Angeles Dodgers in World Series