masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSeems like only yesterday that Roch Kubatko was bringing class in “School of Roch” to order in Sarasota. But that was more than seven months ago, and a lot has happened in the interim – not the least of which is the fact that the Orioles will make their first appearance in the postseason since 1997.

Now, how they’ll do that remains to be seen, since the season’s not yet over. The O’s could win out in St. Pete against the Rays and hope the Yankees lose their final game at home against…Seems like only yesterday that Roch Kubatko was bringing class in “School of Roch” to order in Sarasota. But that was more than seven months ago, and a lot has happened in the interim – not the least of which is the fact that the Orioles will make their first appearance in the postseason since 1997.

Now, how they’ll do that remains to be seen, since the season’s not yet over. The O’s could win out in St. Pete against the Rays and hope the Yankees lose their final game at home against Boston, which would set up a one-game playoff at Camden Yards on Thursday (which MASN could televise). Or the Birds could wind up as the top wild card team, which would earn them the right to host a one-game wild card showdown Friday (time TBD).

Either way, MASN has you covered.

While we’ve already discussed the fact that MASN cannot broadcast live playoff games involving the Orioles, that doesn’t mean we’re packing up the truck, putting all the equipment in storage and turning out the lights in the studios at Hunt Valley and Camden Yards. Quite to the contrary.

The night before the O’s first playoff game, tune to MASN HD for “O’s Xtra: Playoff Preview,” an all-encompassing look at how the Birds reached the postseason featuring a look ahead at their participation in the playoffs. We’ll update you as soon as the programming, which is dependent on the playoff match-ups being decided, is firmed up.

Whenever the Oriole play in the postseason, MASN will be your preferred stop for the best in pregame and postgame coverage. Tom Davis and Rick Dempsey will host expanded hour-long editions of the “O’s Xtra” pregame and postgame shows, wrapped around programming (whether it’s on TBS, MLB Network or FOX).

You already tune into “Wall to Wall Baseball at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, as Tom Davis, Dave Johnson and guests talk all things orange and black. Beginning this weekend, there will be a special Sunday edition of “Wall to Wall Baseball,” also airing at 11 a.m. The special editions will continue until a special wrap-up program following the Orioles’ final game in the postseason.

Stay tuned to MASN, and we’ll keep you abreast of any programming changes or additions to the schedule.

Update: The Orioles are headed to Texas for a wild card showdown against the Rangers, whose 13-game lead over the A’s in June (and their five-game cushion over Oakland with nine games to play) meant little. You can tune in to the O’s-Rangers game Friday night at 8:37 p.m. on TBS.

But before and after the game, you’ll want to tune to MASN. C’mon, where else would you be if you wanted to properly prepare for Orioles playoff baseball?

Tonight at 7 p.m., catch “O’s Xtra: Playoff Preview” on MASN HD (with a rebroadcast at 10 p.m.). We’ll break down the match-up and preview the O’s first postseason appearance in 15 years (feels good to say that, doesn’t it?).

Before Friday’s game, an expanded, hour-long edition of “O’s Xtra” will air beginning at 7 p.m. on MASN HD. Once the game is over – we’re estimating 11:30 p.m. or so – the “O’s Xtra” crew will convene for an hour of postgame analysis.

Stay tuned to MASN for more programming alerts as the postseason unfolds.