[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 93-61 --
TB 83-69 9
BAL 81-71 11
AL wild-card standings
TB 83-69 --
TEX 83-69 --
CLE 83-70 0.5
BAL 81-71 2
KC 80-72 3
NYY 80-73 3.5
(For full standings, click here.)
Tonight's game
Orioles at Rays, 7:10 p.m.
RHP Jason Hammel (7-8, 5.12 ERA) vs. LHP David Price (8-8, 3.42 ERA)
Key matchup
Matt Wieters and J.J. Hardy have the most career success against Price. Wieters is 12-for-35 (.343) with a homer and five doubles. Hardy is 10-for-32 (.313) with four doubles.
Other games that matter
Astros (Oberholtzer) at Indians (McAllister), 7:05 p.m.
Giants (Lincecum) at Yankees (Sabathia), 7:05 p.m.
Blue Jays (Rogers) at Red Sox (Lester), 7:10 p.m.
Rangers (Perez) at Royals (Santana), 8:10 p.m.
Inside enemy clubhouses
david.selig@baltsun.com
twitter.com/DaveSelig