Even before the 2024 season began, you could circle this week’s four-game set between the Orioles and Yankees as being perhaps the first big test of quality that the O’s were going to face this year. This hasn’t turned out to be completely true, particularly with six games against the Royals now looking like that was a good opponent rather than part of a weak opening schedule.
Heading into Sunday afternoon, the two teams were tied atop the AL East, or actually the Orioles were ahead by percentage points. Heading into the ninth inning in Baltimore, this was still true.