The Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays in their 21st game of the season tonight at Rogers Centre. Orioles right-hander Bud Norris is scheduled to pitch against Blue Jays right-hander Drew Hutchison, and first pitch is set for 7:07 p.m.
How does this year's squad stack up through 20 games against successful Orioles teams of the past? With high expectations this season, we'll try to track how the club is performing periodically compared to previous years when they made the playoffs.
As long as the Orioles remain in playoff contention, we'll track their performance against history. If they fall out of the pennant chase, we'll look at their record in different ways.
With a 10-10 record, the Orioles are in third place in the American League East, but they're only 1 1/2 games behind the division-leading New York Yankees, who are 12-9.
Here's how the Orioles fared in previous seasons when they made the playoffs.
Interesting game
The Orioles improved to 16-4 with a 3-2 win in 12 innings over the Chicago White Sox on May 10, 1966, in front of 6,515 fans at Memorial Stadium. After Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson hit back-to-back singles to lead off the bottom of the 12th, pitcher Eddie Watt attempted to move the runners over with a bunt. But he hit it back to White Sox pitcher Bob Locker, who forced Frank Robinson at third base. With Davey Johnson batting and one out, a passed ball allowed the runners to move up before Locker intentionally walked the Orioles second baseman to load the bases. Then, Russ Snyder beat out a potential game-ending double play, allowing Brooks Robinson to score the winning run.
2012
Record: 12-8
Season finish: 93-69, lost in AL Division Series to New York Yankees
1997
Record: 14-6
Season finish: 98-64, lost in AL Championship Series to Cleveland Indians
1996
Record: 12-8
Season finish: 88-74, lost in ALCS to Yankees
1983
Record: 11-9
Season finish: 98-64, beat Philadelphia Phillies in World Series
1979
Record: 12-8
Season finish: 102-57, lost in World Series to Pittsburgh Pirates
1974
Record: 11-9
Season finish: 91-71, lost in ALCS to Oakland Athletics
1973
Record: 10-10
Season finish: 97-65, lost in ALCS to Athletics
1971
Record: 12-8
Season finish: 101-57, lost in World Series to Pirates
1970
Record: 14-6
Season finish: 108-54, beat Cincinnati Reds in World Series
1969
Record: 13-7
Season finish: 109-53, lost in World Series to New York Mets
1966
Record: 16-4
Season finish: 97-63, beat Los Angeles Dodgers in World Series