Orioles magic number: A Wild Card berth is within reach (Updated Sept. 19)

The last two weeks have not gone well for the Orioles. After going 3-8 in their last 11 games, the Orioles find themselves 4 games behind the Yankees in the race for the AL East. It's looking exceedingly likely that the Orioles will fail to catch New York after getting out to a scorching hot start and even leading the division as recently as two weeks ago.

The Orioles have three series remaining, starting with this weekend's games against the Tigers. Winners in 8 of their last 10, Detroit has come from the depths of hell to tie the Twins for the final AL Wild Card spot with 10 days left in the season.

After Wednesday's victory over the Giants, the Orioles have a commanding 5 game lead in the Wild Card chase but they haven't clinched a postseason berth just yet.

Orioles magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 5

While it hasn't become official, the Orioles do have a chance to clinch a postseason bid during this weekend's series against Detroit. With a current magic number of 5, the Orioles can secure a spot in the 2024 playoffs with a series sweep against the Tigers.

With the way they've been playing it does feel unlikely that they'll be able to take three in a row against the red-hot Tigers, but anything is possible. It looks like the O's will be able to get both Ramon Urias and Jordan Westburg back before the end of the year, which should be a major boost to a struggling offense.

If the Orioles take two of three this weekend they can still clinch a spot depending on how the Twins' series against the Red Sox goes. If they're unable to secure a spot this weekend, things will get tougher as the O's have to travel to Yankee stadium early next week.

Orioles magic number for the AL East is 14

While it's not impossible that the Orioles could close the 4 game gap between them and the Yankees over the next 10 days, it feels unlikely that they will. The offense hasn't had its A-game in quite a while and the bullpen has fallen apart in the second half.

Still, the Orioles find themselves with a chance to capture a second straight division title after suffering excessively from the injury bug all year. Things aren't perfect in Birdland right now but if Westburg, Urias, Grayson Rodriguez, and Ryan Mountcastle are all able to return before the end of the year, the O's could get hot and go on a run.