hernan perez

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has arrived at the American League Championship Series bathed in the affection of both his team and his public, his managerial acumen seemingly above reproach. Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost has arrived at the same place at the same time, yet his managerial IQ has been questioned so much during this postseason, you¿d think he steered his team into an iceberg.

Call it karma or mojo or the most overused word in the sports lexicon -- destiny. There's going to be at least one team in the World Series this year that will have no logical explanation for its presence on baseball's biggest stage.

Nelson Cruz broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning with a two-run homer off left-hander David Price, giving the Orioles a 2-1 clinching victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.