Tigers face O's in series with sudden playoff implications

(Photo credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images)
The Baltimore Orioles were hoping to be involved in showdowns for the American League East title late in the season.

Instead, they're in a different kind of tussle regarding qualifying for the postseason and the Detroit Tigers are a big part of that equation.

The Tigers, who've surged into themiddle of the AL playoff conversion, begin a three-game series in Baltimore on Frida