The Orioles are headed to the playoffs -- and the rise of the O's has just begun

Key Facts

- David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior WriterSep 17, 2023, 04:15 PM ET Close Covers MLB for ESPN.com Former deputy editor of Page 2 * Been with ESPN.com since 1995 DURING THE SECOND game of the 2023 MLB season, on a cloudy 56-degree day at Fenway Park, the Baltimore Orioles were looking to start the campaign with their second straight win, after barely holding on for a teeth-clenching victory on Opening Day in which they nearly blew a 10-4 lead.
When the Boston Red Sox won the next day, the early verdict was in: The Orioles were 1-2, had allowed 27 runs and, just as everyone had predicted, didn't have nearly enough pitching and were destined to finish near the bottom of the tough American League East.
The Orioles have been so methodically consistent all season and now that they've clinched a playoff spot while on their way to 100 wins -- a mark the franchise last achieved in 1980, by the way -- it's easy to forget that not much was expected from them in March.
He got off to a slow start, hitting .189 in April and .213 in May, but he has been one of the best hitters in the majors the past four months, slashing .286/.331/.551 with 20 home runs since the beginning of June.