How the Orioles Match Up Against Every Potential AL Playoff Opponent

At 77-66, the Baltimore Orioles are 1.5 games back from a Wild Card spot. If they can make up that ground in the final 19 games of the season and make it to the postseason, it would be their second straight playoff birth after 14 years of disappointment.

Although the O's aren't officially eliminated in the battle for the AL East, they are currently nine games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox. So in all likelihood, if the O's are going to make the playoffs they will have to do it through the Wild Card route.

While that's not an awful thing—and they will be used to to the pressure, as they went that route last season—it means the Orioles might be required to play in the one-game playoff.

Here's a preview of all the teams that the Orioles could possibly play in that Wild Card Game, or perhaps even later in the playoffs.

Kansas City Royals

Potential Matchup: AL Wild Card Game

Orioles' Record vs. Royals in 2013: 3-4

While they're a bit of long shot with their 75-69 record, the Kansas City Royals could potentially be the Orioles' opposition in the AL Wild Card Game.

The Royals are built around their pitching staff. Although their rotation isn't necessarily the deepest, the likes of Ervin Santana and James Shields, both of whom were acquired via trades last offseason, and a solid bullpen have the Royals ranked first in the AL in team ERA.

That bullpen, anchored by closer Greg Holland, who is 40-for-43 in save opportunities with a 1.40 ERA this season, is also ranked first in the AL in bullpen ERA with a stellar 2.58 ERA.

If the Orioles happen to face the Royals in the AL Wild Card game, Santana, Shields or perhaps former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie, who leads the Royals in wins with 13, would likely take the hill for KC.

The Royals always seem to play the O's tough, and two of their star offensive threats, Alex Gordon and Billy Butler, are the reason why. Gordon hit 11 home runs in 44 career games against the Birds, while Butler has hit 10 in 47 career games while carrying a .320 average.

New York Yankees

Potential Matchup: AL Wild Card Game

Orioles' Record vs. Yankees in 2013: 9-7

Despite a multitude of injuries, the Bronx Bombers are still somehow in the playoff race. However, much like the Royals, it's not likely that both the Orioles and Yankees will both make it to the AL Wild Card Game. Still, it's a possibility.

Other than injuries, one of the Yankees' biggest issues this year has been the lackluster performance of starting pitcher CC Sabathia. He is leading the team with 13 wins, but his ERA is at a career high of 4.82, and he is more hittable than ever before.

Luckily for the Yanks, both Hiroki Kuroda and Ivan Nova have been very effective this season. Both sport an ERA right around 3.00 and would likely take the mound in the AL Wild Card Game.

If that game is against the O's, Ivan Nova would be the favorite to get the starting nod, as he has dominated the Orioles this year. In his two starts against the Birds this season, he's gone 2-0, completing both games—including a shutout—and allowing only two runs.

Cleveland Indians

Potential Matchup: AL Wild Card Game

Orioles' Record vs. Indians in 2013: 3-4

The Indians lack a superstar, but they pitch pretty well and have a decent amount of offensive depth.

Although their "ace" Justin Masterson is injured, he could possibly return prior to the season's end. Regardless, the Tribe have solid rotation depth, as all of their starters have a sub-4.00 ERA, with the exception of Scott Kazmir, who has a 4.17 ERA.

Cleveland isn't necessarily an offensive powerhouse, but they do a good job of manufacturing runs and are a rather patient team at the plate, ranking fifth in the majors in walks. Their speed also poses a threat, as they are sixth in the majors in stolen bases.

Tampa Bay Rays

Potential Matchup: AL Wild Card Game

Orioles' Record vs. Rays in 2013: 6-9

Tampa has gotten the better of the Orioles this season, but after going 21-5 in July, the Rays have gone 14-20 since and are in danger of losing their playoff spot.

The Rays are notorious for their good pitching and defense. While their fielding remains solid, as they are second in the majors in fielding percentage, their pitching—namely their bullpen—hasn't been up to their usual standards this year. The Rays' bullpen currently ranks ninth in the AL with a 3.71 ERA.

Their rotation remains strong with the likes of David Price, Alex Cobb, Chris Archer and Matt Moore, but if their offense, which largely goes through rookie outfielder Wil Myers and star third baseman Evan Longoria, and their bullpen can not improve down the stretch, the O's are more likely to steal their playoff spot than they are to actually meet them in the playoffs.

Texas Rangers

Potential Matchup: AL Wild Card Game, ALDS, ALCS

Orioles' Record vs. Rangers in 2013: 5-2

After losing one of the most productive offensive weapons in Nelson Cruz to suspension in early August, the Rangers actually continued to play well the rest of the month, going 20-7.

With the loss of Cruz and the departure of Josh Hamilton in the offseason via free agency, the Rangers aren't as scary on offense as they used to be. Still, they have speed, as they are second in the AL in steals, and still have a legitimate superstar in third baseman Adrian Beltre.

The Rangers' pitching staff is also very impressive, especially their bullpen, which is second in the AL in ERA. Their rotation is also nothing to sleep on, especially with Yu Darvish, who is a Cy Young candidate with his sub-3.00 ERA.

Texas is one of the favorites to play in the Wild Card Game. However, their 14-2 record against the lowly Houston Astros shows that they may not be as impressive a team as they were in previous seasons and may have benefited somewhat from a favorable schedule.

Oakland A's

Potential Matchup: AL Wild Card Game, ALDS, ALCS

Orioles' Record vs. A's in 2013: 5-2

The Oakland A's are another team built around pitching, as they are second in the AL in both starter and reliever ERA.

Their .249 team batting average isn't anything special, but they know how to manufacture runs, remaining fourth in the AL in that category. They also have solid power in Josh Donaldson, Yoenis Cespedes and Brandon Moss, all of whom have 20-plus home runs.

The A's currently lead the AL West. However, the Rangers remain right on their tail, only two games back. Thus they could be forced to play in the Wild Card Game.

All the pitchers currently in the A's rotation—Bartolo Colon, Dan Straily, AJ Griffin, Jarrod Parker and Sonny Gray—could possibly start in a one-game playoff, although Colon, who sports a sub-3.00, would likely be the favorite to get the start.

Detroit Tigers

Potential Matchup: ALDS, ALCS

Orioles' Record vs. Tigers in 2013: 4-2

The Detroit Tigers haven't officially locked up their division or a playoff spot, but with their 82-62 record, a 4.5-game lead over the second-place Cleveland Indians and a lineup that includes Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, they will likely win their third straight AL Central title.

Coming into the season, the Tigers were one of the favorites to represent the American League in the World Series. Now in September, they remain a strong World Series contender.

They are first in the AL in batting average and second in runs. Both of those stats are greatly influenced by the presence of Miguel Cabrera, who is leading in two Triple Crown categories (he is second in home runs).

From a pitching perspective, they have one of the strongest rotations in the AL. They rank first in the AL in starter ERA, led by Max Scherzer, whose current record stands at 19-3.

However, their bullpen is a different story. Currently, the Tigers rank 12th in the AL in bullpen ERA.

Boston Red Sox

Potential Matchup: ALDS, ALCS

Orioles' Record vs. Red Sox in 2013: 7-6

Unless something catastrophic happens, like the Orioles sweeping the remaining six games the two teams play against each other, the Boston Red Sox are going to win the AL East. They currently hold a 7.5-game lead over the second-place Rays and a nine-game lead over the third-place Orioles.

Boston leads the AL in nearly every offensive category other than average and home runs. They even have 63 more doubles than any other team in the AL.

The most impressive part of the Red Sox offense is its depth. Five players have 30-plus doubles, eight players have over 50 RBI and five players are currently hitting over .290.

Their pitching hasn't been superb, but it hasn't been awful. Clay Buchholz, who is currently 9-0, is making his return from injury on Tuesday against the Rays, while veterans like Jon Lester and John Lackey continue to be effective starters. And former Oriole Koji Uehara has been lights-out since being put in the closer's role in the middle of the season.

The biggest issue the Sox have going forward is that their star center fielder, Jacoby Ellsbury, has a broken bone in his foot, and his return for the season is in doubt. On the year, Ellsbury is hitting .299 with 89 runs and 52 stolen bases.