16 years later, Orioles & Yankees meet again in October

In New Yankee Stadium, Jeffrey Maier wouldn't have had a chance to influence history with his black baseball mitt. 

Tony Tarasco wouldn't have had to worry about the kid extending his glove over the right field wall and snaring Derek Jeter's home run ball. It probably would have been over both of their heads.

Plenty has changed since the last time the Yankees and Orioles met in the postseason 16 years ago. Old Yankee Stadium is no more. Mike Mussina, an Oriole then, helped the Yankees win a World Series in that time. Cal Ripken and David Wells won't be in O's and Yanks uniforms but suits and ties on TV for TBS' coverage. 

Still though, 15 years later, some of the subplots and faces are still similar. 

Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte will still don pinstripes and play important roles in this series. They just no longer have the baby faces of new Yankees in their early 20s. 

In 1996, Buck Showalter was a part of the series only by his absence, fired after losing to the Mariners in the ALDS the year prior. His departure paved the way for the Joe Torre-led Yankees to embark on an era that would go down as another of the franchise's glory days.

This time, Showalter will be in the dugout against the team he once managed. George Steinbrenner, the man who allegedly pushed him out the door, is no longer alive.

But as he did with the Yankees group he got to manage, Buck has performed a turnaround, transforming the Orioles from mediocre to magical.

Their payroll is more than a $100 million less than that of the Yankees. They don't have MVPs. Their pitching staff is cobbled together from guys other teams didn't want. 

Here they are though, bringing October baseball to Camden Yards for the first time since it was one of baseball's newer parks. 

It's hard to explain how they've done it. Odds seem to fly in their face, winners of 16 straight extra-inning games. Their record in one-run games is an astounding, and record-setting, 29-9.  

These Orioles know how to persevere and defy doubters. 

Again, they are underdogs, just as they were in 1996. 

As Orioles right fielder Chris Davis stands in right field, he may turnaround and look into the stands. Peel your eyes, Chris. Watch for any eager kids with gloves gripped tightly on their hands - just in case. 

Orioles win + Yankees loss = worst possible game 162 scenario for both

It's game 162 and that means after months of play everything of course comes down to one game.

Matching last year's dramatics will be nearly impossible but a new set of variables never before experienced are now in play.

For the first time in baseball history, each league will have five teams reach the playoffs. The 10 teams have all clinched spots but the order in which they play is far from decided. 

In the National League, Washington earned the top seed over Cincinnati by beating Philadelphia this afternoon. 

The American League has the A's and Rangers facing off in an AL West title game right now. Lose that one and head to the one-game playoff. Shockingly, that looks like it's going to be Texas (A's lead 12-5 heading to the 9th).

However, the most volatile situation lies in the AL East, where the Yankees play the Red Sox and Orioles take on the Rays. These four teams are no stranger to the game 162 dramatics. Last season, Evan Longoria's home run propelled the Rays to the playoffs, while the Orioles' stunning victory punctuated Boston's historic collapse.

This time, Boston and Tampa Bay are the odd men out looking to play spoiler. But really, the Rays knocking off the Orioles may be a better thing for both AL East playoff teams. 

If the Orioles win and Yankees lose, the two will be tied for the AL East crown. The Yankees and Orioles would play a game to decide the AL East winner. The loser would be sent to the AL Wild Card game. This scenario assures that both will have to play at least one more game to reach the playoffs. One will have to play two. 

If the Yankees win and Orioles lose, or both lose, the Yankees are AL East champs and automatically advance to the ALDS. The Yankees would have to win no more games to reach the ALDS, while the Orioles would still have to win just a maximum of one (the Wild Card game) to advance to that point.

In the tied AL East scenario, the maximum number of wins needed to reach the ALDS increases to two for whoever becomes the Wild Card. A win against Tampa Bay tonight puts the Orioles at a disadvantage if they can't beat the Yankees to get the AL East.

By no means, am I saying Baltimore should try to lose this game tonight against Tampa Bay. It just may suit them better as it completely eliminates the possibility of having to use two starters before the ALDS. 

From beating the Rays tonight, the Orioles can gain AL East champion shirts and hats and a chance to play a potential ALDS game five in Baltimore. Under no circumstance can the Orioles earn home field throughout the AL playoffs. 

What do they have to lose with a win? Potentially having to win five games as opposed to at most four to reach the ALCS. 

You weigh which outcome is ultimately better for the Orioles. I think it's an assured "one win and in" vs. a possible "two wins and in."

Interesting strategic issues at play on the season's final night.