September 11, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Anthony Santander (25) hits a hit ball during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. With first baseman Ryan O'Hern (32) reacting after a base hit. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images The Baltimore Orioles hope to be in contention for the American League East title at season's end.
Instead, they're locked in a different kind of struggle to qualify for the playoffs, and the Detroit Tigers are a big part of that.
The Tigers have entered the AFC playoff transition, starting a three-game series in Baltimore on Friday night.
For the rapidly declining Orioles (85-68), getting some wins this week is crucial to at least guaranteeing a three-game trip to the Yankees next week with the AL East schedule still in jeopardy.
Although they enter Friday as a wild card, they trail the Yankees by four points in the Eastern Conference race. Anthony Santander hit a two-run homer and the Orioles beat San Francisco 5-3 on Thursday afternoon, giving them the boost they were hoping for.
“It was a good win and sets the stage for what could be a couple of very important series,” Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday said.
For Detroit (80-73), it's a question of going from one critical series to another in a bid to earn a wild-card spot.
“First of all, we believe it,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said. “We come in every day trying to win games, and we win a lot.”
The Tigers are competing for a wild-card spot after sweeping three games against the playoff contenders Royals in Kansas City. That puts them on a four-game winning streak and five of their past six games.
The recent strong run began last weekend with wins in two of three games against the Orioles.
“We have a good team, a resilient team,” Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal said. “I think if you look at the season we've had.”
The Tigers are tied with the Minnesota Twins for the third and final AL Wild Card spot and are looking for their third straight win of five or more this year.
“I think our team does a really good job day in and day out, game after game,” Skubal said. “We need to keep winning and hopefully we can control our destiny in the critical moments.”
Baltimore has won just three of its last 11 games, but Thursday's result was exciting.
“We need this win,” Santander said. “We need this momentum next week.”
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said most of the wins have been close due to the team's low scoring of late.
On Friday night, both teams will have pitchers who were dominant when the teams met last weekend.
Right-hander Corbin Burns (14-8, 3.06 ERA) will be Baltimore's starting pitcher. He limited the Tigers to two hits and one run in seven scoreless innings as the Orioles won in Detroit on Saturday. It was the team's only win in six games before Thursday's drama.
Burns allowed just three earned runs in 18 innings this month, a huge turnaround from a rough August when he allowed three or more runs in five starts.
The Tigers will start the series with right-hander Keider Montero (6-6, 4.60) on the mound. The rookie will make his 16th start and 17th appearance. The 24-year-old has won five of his last six calls.
Montero has something to build on after beating the Orioles in five innings in Detroit on Sunday. After his three-hit shutout against Colorado on September 10, his scoreless streak was extended to 14 innings.
Detroit is 6-1 ATS in its last seven road games. The Tigers' last two road losses have come in overtime.
–Scene-level media