Orioles fall over 50 games back in division, close in on record low
Losses are becoming routine for the Baltimore Orioles.
The club suffered its 86th defeat in 122 games Friday against the Cleveland Indians, pushing them 50 1/2 games back of the Boston Red Sox for the division lead in the American League East.
With the Orioles already out of contention for the division title and the Red Sox on the verge of winning more than 100 games, the two clubs are moving in opposite directions, which could earn Baltimore a record the organization won't be proud of.
The #Orioles loss & the #RedSox win dropped Baltimore 50 games back of BOS for 1st in the AL East. With the teams in opposite directions, BAL's in danger of a new record for GB in Div. play pic.twitter.com/2PtVi6Ch4a
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) August 18, 2018
Baltimore falling 50-plus games behind the division leader in 122 games is already a record, according to ESPN's Sarah Langs, whose research showed the Orioles are the first team to get there before September in the divisional era.
Fewest games played to reach 50+ GB - Divisional Era:
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 18, 2018
2018 Orioles - 122
1979 Blue Jays - 141
1998 Marlins - 157
1998 Devil Rays - 161
Obviously seasons have started at different times over the years, but O's first to get there before September in Divisional Era.
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