The Baltimore Orioles are running out of places to stash their talented young players. And running out of peaks to ascend in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
The Orioles’ startling rebuild hit another gear this week as they won three of four games at Tampa Bay to wrest first place in baseball’s toughest division – the AL East – away from the Rays. It was just their second four-game series conquest at Tropicana Field and their first since 2006, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
At 61-38, Baltimore has the top record in the AL and is second only to Atlanta. And the Orioles are in first place after the All-Star break for the first time since August 2016.
TRADE DEADLINE: Will Angels move Ohtani?
By week’s end, all three of those clubs may have a different perspective on how aggressive – or not – to be at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. For now, the Orioles look primed to adopt a buyer’s stance – what with a playoff berth more than likely awaiting.
It’s just more rarefied air, the sort the Orioles have not been slowed by this season.
