[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 wild-card standings
TB 84-69 --
CLE 84-70 --
TEX 83-70 0.5
BAL 81-72 2.5
KC 81-72 2.5
NYY 81-73 3
(For full standings, click here.)
Today's game
Orioles at Rays, 1:05 p.m.
RHP Miguel Gonzalez (10-7, 3.92 ERA) vs. RHP Alex Cobb (9-3, 3.02 ERA)
Key matchup
Gonzalez has been great at Tropicana Field, but Evan Longoria (5-for-14, .357) and Jose Molina (4-for-11, .364) have had success against him, both homering.
Other games that matter
Giants (Vogelsong) at Yankees (Nova), 1:05 p.m.
Astros (Clemens) at Indians (Kazmir), 6:05 p.m.
Rangers (Garza) at Royals (Guthrie), 7:10 p.m.
Thought of the day
That game last night was really long.
Inside enemy clubhouses
david.selig@baltsun.com
twitter.com/DaveSelig