Orioles make MLB history with shocking destruction of Yankees

If there was any doubt that the Baltimore Orioles were a legitimate baseball team, look no further than their victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday. Baltimore’s 17-5 demolition of New York was a sight to behold and a game that helped set several records.

This victory secured the series victory for the Orioles, giving Baltimore 22 consecutive series victories against AL East opponents. This is an MLB record for division series wins, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

The 17 points represent the most points scored by the Orioles this season and the third-most points Baltimore has ever scored in a road game. The Orioles are now 5-2 against the Yankees in 2024 and are a half-game behind New York for first place in the division.

Baltimore has bounced back from series-opening losses in each of its last two series, not to mention they were against the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, the teams with the two best records in baseball. The Orioles have won four straight series and haven’t lost one since mid-May.

“I don’t know what kind of statement we’re making,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said, according to ESPN. “I know teams think we’re a good team, and our record shows that and the way we’ve played against our division and the way we’ve played baseball over the last couple of years.”

The Orioles are 49-25 and on the verge of regaining first place in the AL East. It will be a race to the finish, but jumping out front could build momentum. Baltimore will always be in New York’s shadow by history, but the Orioles have been and can be better than the Yankees this decade.

The outcome of this season will be telling in this discussion.

The Orioles are part of the MLB elite

It wasn’t that long ago that the Orioles were the laughing stock of Major League Baseball. Baltimore lost 110 games in 2021 to win 101 in 2023. They are proving this season that last year was no fluke.

The Orioles have done their rebuild the right way, building the farm system and building a talented team with a crop of prospects. Baltimore couldn’t have imagined things would go this well, but gaining all those high draft picks had to pay off in some way.

After getting a taste of the playoffs last year, the Orioles want to stick around a little longer. Baltimore hasn’t reached the World Series since winning it in 1983. Winning the AL pennant this year would certainly be an accomplishment worth celebrating.

The Orioles didn’t just build this roster to be good for a few years. Baltimore fully expects to compete for championships over the next decade with this core and as long as the group stays together, the Orioles have every chance of remaining atop the American League standings.

Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman and Jordan Westburg are just a few of the names that will be on Baltimore’s roster for a long time. Among them are MVP candidates and clubhouse executives that any franchise would be lucky to have. The Orioles have everything they could ask for in their core. This is part of the reason they are one of the best teams in baseball.