Orioles get chance to influence AL East race against Yankees

NEW YORK—The Orioles get a final chance to influence the American League East race this weekend. They have three games at Yankee Stadium. New York and Toronto are tied for the AL East lead. The Blue Jays host Tampa Bay.

The Yankees and Blue Jays share the best record in the American League East and the league at 91-68.

“You can take something from it,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “You look at our September schedule and who we play and what we’ve been playing for. I do think it’s OK to evaluate your players on this. I do think it’s OK to take what they’ve done here and carry it into 2026.”

Outfielder Dylan Beavers, who hit a ninth-inning walk-off home run in the Orioles’ 6-5 win  over the Rays on Thursday, is playing for the first time at Yankee Stadium and can’t wait to play in games that could determine the division winner and the top seed in the American League for the playoffs.

“I fee like every game has been very important to all of us, here at least,” Beavers said. “We’re playing like we are [in the playoff race.] That’s kind of our mentality. Playing in a game that will affect the AL East, that will be  exciting. I’m looking forward to it.”

Beavers will get to experience the intensity of the Yankees’ fans.

“I heard the crowd’s good,” Beavers said. “That will be a challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing how that environment is.”

Notes: Second baseman Jackson Holliday, who had an MRI on his right knee and missed two games, is back in the lineup. So is catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo, who missed Thursday’s game after he was hit by a pitch on his right wrist by Tampa Bay’s Pete Fairbanks. Basallo will be the designated hitter.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.