Orioles magic number: How many games to clinch a postseason berth [Updated Sept. 7]

The Rays kept it close against the Orioles on Friday night and closer Seranthony Dominguez nearly coughed up the lead in the bottom of the 9th, but Baltimore were able to hold on to a 2-0 victory in the first of a three game series against Tampa.

Unfortunately for the Orioles, the Yankees were able to manage a 3-0 victory over the Cubs in Chicago. The wins kept the two sides on even ground with just 20 games left to play.

As of Saturday morning, the Orioles sit at 82-60, just 0.5 games up on the Yankees though the two teams are tied in the loss column. The AL East will come down to a battle between the two, as the third place Red Sox are now 10.5 games out and stand little chance of a comeback in the division.

The Orioles magic number to win the AL East is 21

The Orioles won't know their divisional fate for at least another couple weeks. It'll take a very good stretch from one, and a poor stretch from the other, to wrap the East up before the final weekend. Thankfully the O's and Yankees have one more series to play - the Orioles travel to New York for a three-game set from September 24-26, which is the season's penultimate series.

Prior to that, the O's have 6 games against the Tigers, who at 71-71 and 5.5 games out of a Wild Card could be essentially out of contention by the time the two teams meet next weekend. The Orioles also have series' against the Red Sox, Giants, and Twins remaining.

The Orioles magic number for a postseason berth is 11

The Orioles should lock up a postseason berth well before the AL East is decided. As of this morning, the loser of the AL East should lock up the first Wild Card spot. The Royals and Twins are sitting snug in the final two Wild Card spots, separated by 0.5 games.

The teams sit 4.5 and 5 games back of the Guardians in the AL Central, respectively. And likewise, the teams are 5 and 4.5 games up on the Mariners, the next closest team in the Wild Card chase. It's possible that the AL postseason field is already set and the only thing to hash out are the seeds.

However, any of the Mariners, Red Sox, or Tigers could theoretically make a push over the final three weeks and make things interesting. After last night's loss, the Rays are 7 games back and everyone behind them is virtually cooked.

It'll be an interesting final few weeks to see how the AL East winds up shaking out. With any luck, the Orioles will be able to capture their second division title in as many years and get that much needed bye heading into October.