Rob Long: Exceeding Expectations
The Baltimore Orioles just completed a tough 10-game road trip in which they faced three of the better teams in the American League. They did not face the so-called "cellar dwellers." They faced three teams who were all impressive in their own separate way.
The Birds lost two out of three to the Oakland A's but one of those losses was a blown save by Zach Britton. The O's then went Anaheim and took two out of three before taking three out of four from the Mariners in Seattle.
Yes, all-in-all it was a pretty good trip for the Orioles as the starting pitching continued to perform well. Now, the test continues as the Birds have six games at Camden Yards with the Angles and Mariners before one game in D.C. against the Nationals.
The schedule isn't going to get any easier with very little room to breathe. If the Birds are going to win the East they'll have to play against the best competition to do so. While this past West Coast swing was tough, the O's have another tough stretch of 16 games including this home stand, the Nats and then at Toronto and home against the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees.
No one said that getting back to the post-season for the second time in three years was going to be easy. With the one-run and extra inning games that Buck Showalter's team has been playing, they are certain to make the final two months of the 2014 regular season one for the ages.
Follow @RobLongSports
Related Stories - Baltimore Orioles:
