masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgI’m wondering whether fans are in a reflective mood today or focused entirely on the Division Series.

My guess is the latter, with maybe a few exceptions.

The regular season is over, but the Orioles aren’t done playing. Game 1 is set for Thursday against the Tigers at Camden Yards, with an anticipated start time of 6 p.m.

That is not official. Major League Baseball should send out a release later today.

These two teams have never met in the postseason.

I’ve got to cancel my hotel room…I’m wondering whether fans are in a reflective mood today or focused entirely on the Division Series.

My guess is the latter, with maybe a few exceptions.

The regular season is over, but the Orioles aren’t done playing. Game 1 is set for Thursday against the Tigers at Camden Yards, with an anticipated start time of 6 p.m.

That is not official. Major League Baseball should send out a release later today.

These two teams have never met in the postseason.

I’ve got to cancel my hotel room in Kansas City. I only reserved a flight to Detroit, so my hunch paid off.

The Orioles finished the regular season with 96 wins, putting them 30 games above .500. They’re tied with the Nationals for the second-best record in baseball behind the Angels.

Considering the poor reviews they received over the winter for their inactivity – along with the Jim Johnson trade and a certain failed physical – I’d say that’s quite an accomplishment.

What side dish goes well with crow?

Four starters finished with 10 or more wins, and none of them are Ubaldo Jimenez.

britton-sets-orange-sidebar.jpgZach Britton showed up at spring training with no options or defined role. He registered his 37th save yesterday in 41 opportunities, ranking fourth in the American League. He also finished with a 1.65 ERA in 71 games.

The first of those 37 saves was recorded on May 15.

The Orioles must decide whether to keep him at closer or give him another shot in the rotation, but there’s no need to look that far ahead. Let’s put a pin in it until later.

Nelson Cruz led the majors with 40 home runs. Think he’ll settle for another one-year, $8 million deal this winter?

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Cruz’s 40 homers are the fewest to lead the majors since Jesse Barfield hit 40 for the Blue Jays in 1986.

The Orioles are the fourth team since 1920 to have two players win the home run title in consecutive years (Cruz and Chris Davis). They join the 1936-1937 Yankees (Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio), 1987-1988 Athletics (Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco) and 1993-1994 Giants (Barry Bonds and Matt Williams).

The Orioles were 46-35 on the road, 22-19 against left-handed starters and 47-29 vs. the American League East. They’ve had major problems in all three categories during their down years.

Their division record is the best since going 49-29 (.628) in 1980.

The Orioles’ 3.43 ERA ranks third in the American League. They were 10th last season with a 4.20 ERA.

The Orioles’ bullpen ranks third with a 3.10 ERA. The Tigers’ bullpen is 13th with a 4.29 ERA.

Looking for a clear-cut advantage for the Orioles? Found it.

Ryan Flaherty had an error yesterday, the seventh by an Orioles third baseman in the last 10 games. We’ll find out whether this is going to be an issue moving forward.

Is Showalter really considering a 10-man pitching staff in the Division Series? It could work with Miguel Gonzalez and Bud Norris available in relief for the first two games.

If Kevin Gausman moves to the bullpen on a 10-man staff, care to guess which relievers are dropped from the roster?

The Orioles went 1-5 against the Tigers this season, but their last game was May 14. So much has changed.

The Orioles were outscored 33-20 in those six games. Their only win came on April 6 at Comerica Park, with Chris Tillman allowing one run over 8 1/3 innings and Tommy Hunter picking up his second save in a 3-1 victory.

Tillman is 3-0 with a 3.58 ERA in six career starts against the Tigers. He’d also be on the mound for Game 5 at Camden Yards if the series goes that far.

Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA) is expected to start Game 1 for the Tigers. He’s 3-1 with a 3.92 ERA in six career starts against the Orioles, with nine walks and 45 strikeouts in 39 innings, and 1-0 with a 4.95 ERA in three starts at Camden Yards.

Scherzer is 11-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 14 starts at home and 7-4 with a 3.49 ERA in 19 starts on the road.

Adam Jones is 9-for-18 with two doubles and a home run against Scherzer. Cruz is 11-for-25 (.440) with three doubles and two home runs, and Nick Markakis is 5-for-16 (.313) with two doubles.

J.J. Hardy is 4-for-23 (.174) with a double and home run.

Note: The Orioles announced on Twitter that tickets are sold out for the ALDS at Camden Yards.