Orioles down the stretch (Sept. 23)

[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

O's offensive struggles continue in 3-1 loss
Team willl face a decision on Scott Feldman
O's want to finish as windshield, not bug
Team has lived and died with the home run
Sunday's full scoreboard

AL wild-card standings

TB        86-69     --
CLE      86-70     --
TEX      84-71    1.5
KC       82-73    3.5
BAL      81-74    4.5
NYY     82-74      4

(For full standings, click here.)

Today's game

Orioles at Rays, 3:10 p.m.

LHP Wei-Yin Chen (7-7, 4.03 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Archer (9-7, 3.02 ERA)

Key matchup

Tampa's Swiss army knife Ben Zobrist is 10-for-20 with a double and a homer against Chen.

Other game that matters

Astros (Lyles) at Rangers (Holland), 8:05 p.m.

Inside enemy clubhouses

Rays try to determine extent of Jennings' injury

Suspended Cruz feeling responsible for Texas' slide

Sandy Alomar offers Indians some stretch-run advice

Former Terp Maxwell good to the last swing for Royals

david.selig@baltsun.com
twitter.com/DaveSelig