[Back for its second year, "Down the Stretch" is a daily Orioles Insider blog that will set up the coming night for the O's and their American League competition as the push for the postseason continues.]
About last night
AL East standings
BOS 91-59 --
TB 81-66 8.5
NYY 79-70 11.5
BAL 78-70 12
AL wild-card standings
TEX 81-66 --
TB 81-66 --
CLE 80-68 1.5
NYY 79-70 3
BAL 78-70 3.5
KC 78-70 3.5
(For full standings, click here.)
Today's game
Orioles at Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.
RHP Miguel Gonzalez (9-7, 4.00 ERA) vs. LHP Mark Buehrle (11-8, 4.18 ERA)
Key matchup
Nick Markakis has had considerable success in his career against Buehrle, batting .412 (14-for-34) with three doubles, two homers and five RBIs.
Other games that matter
Royals (Guthrie) at Tigers (Scherzer), 1:08 p.m.
Indians (McAllister) at White Sox (Sale), 2:10 p.m.
Rays (Price) at Twins (Hernandez), 2:10 p.m.
Athletics (Parker) at Rangers (Perez), 3:05 p.m.
Yankees (Nova) at Red Sox (Buchholz), 8 p.m.
Inside enemy clubhouses
david.selig@baltsun.com
twitter.com/DaveSelig