Orioles and Mariners Each Win Eighth Straight Game

Two unlikely clubs have each won eight straight games, the current longest streaks in the majors. That makes them the hottest teams in the big leagues, at least for the moment.

The Baltimore Orioles, who have been the perennial doormats of the very tough American League East, beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-5 on July 10th for the club’s eighth straight victory. Baltimore won 12 straight over the end of the 2015 and beginning of the 2016 seasons, but they haven’t won as many as eight straight in a single campaign since 2005. Baltimore’s record improved to 43-44 on the season. The Orioles play two at the Chicago Cubs on July 12th and 13th, followed by three at Tampa Bay before hitting the All Star Break. If they can win four of those five (an admittedly tough task on the road) they’ll be over .500 at the break, and it’s possible that all the teams in the A.L. East could be over .500 at that time. Tampa Bay is 45-40 going into action of July 11th, and Toronto is 45-42. Boston is 47-39 and in second place. The Orioles are just 4 ½ games out of second. The Yankees 14 game lead is essentially insurmountable, so it’s a four team race for second.

Meanwhile, Carlos Santana hit a pair of home runs to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 6-5 win over the Blue Jays. Seattle has won eight in a row and 16 of 19. Seattle is in second place in the A.L West, 12 games behind the Houston Astros. Again, this is a race for second place, but the Mariners are in the third and final position for a Wild Card. Baltimore is just two games back, so both clubs have something to play for. Baltimore hasn’t made it to the post season since 2016 (and has finished below .500 every year since then) and Seattle last made it in 2001. Seattle has had three seasons of 90 or more wins since then, but wound up missing the post season because some else was just a little better. With one more Wild Card added in both leagues, perhaps that streak will come to an end.

Mariners-Jays highlights: