[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 92-59 --
TB 82-67 9
BAL 79-70 12
NYY 79-71 12.5
AL wild-card standings
TEX 82-67 --
TB 81-68 --
CLE 81-69 0.5
BAL 79-70 2
NYY 79-71 2.5
KC 79-71 2.5
(For full standings, click here.)
Tonight's game
Orioles at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m.
RHP Scott Feldman (5-4, 3.62 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Dempster (8-9, 4.70 ERA)
Key matchup
Current hitters on the Orioles roster have batted a combined .203 against Dempster for their careers. It's a particularly grim matchup for J.J. Hardy, who is just 3-for-32 (.094) lifetime against the right-hander.
Other games that matter
Yankees (Pettitte) at Blue Jays (Dickey), 7:07 p.m.
Rangers (Tepesch) at Rays (Hellickson), 7:10 p.m.
Indians (Kluber) at Royals (Duffy), 8:10 p.m.
Angels (Richards) at Athletics (Gray), 10:05 p.m.
Inside enemy clubhouses
Latest Orioles
david.selig@baltsun.com
twitter.com/DaveSelig