When and how the Orioles can clinch a playoff spot – The Denver Post

The Orioles have their eye on their first American League East title since 2014, and this week, they can improve their chances while also locking up a playoff spot for the first time in seven years.

Entering Friday, Baltimore’s magic number for a playoff spot is four, a number determined based on numerous tiebreakers and head-to-head matchups between the teams in the wild-card race. Effectively, there is no scenario the Orioles finish with 95 wins — four more than they have now — and miss the playoffs.

At the earliest, Baltimore can lock up a playoff spot Saturday, after the third game of a critical four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles lead the Rays by one game in the AL East after losing Thursday’s series opener.

Here’s a look at when and how the Orioles can…