When Major League Baseball released it’s tentative 2013 schedule back in Sept. 2012, there were some glaring changes compared to years past.
Most changes occurred due to the Houston Astros moving from the National League Central to the American League West — for the first time ever, MLB has 15 teams in each league and five teams in all six divisions.
Divisional Games
The Astros move means teams will now play 19 games against each divisional opponent — 76 games total. Those games will be played in six series (three at home and three on the road). This change, along with the heavy load of divisional games in Sept. should make division races more competitive, especially down the stretch.
The 2011 season ending was considered one of the most memorable in baseball history, including the O’s eliminating the Red Sox on the final day of the regular season. (Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
For the Baltimore Orioles, the month of Sept. includes 28 games with just seven outside of the AL East (9/2 – 9/8 against the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox).
Non-divisional League Games
Baltimore finished with a record of 39-33 against non-divisional league opponents in 2012. (Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
In 2013, teams will also play six or seven games against non-divisional league opponents. Those games will be played in two series (one at home and one on the road) — 66 games total.
The O’s have five non-divisional league opponents they will play seven times. The five teams include the Kansas City Royals and their revamped pitching staff, the 2012 AL West champion Oakland Athletics, the overhauled Indians (featuring former Oriole Mark Reynolds), the White Sox, and the Texas Rangers, who the Orioles eliminated from the playoffs last season.
All other non-divisional league opponents will play Baltimore six times.
Interleague Games
The remaining 20 games are Interleague, played throughout the season — the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels will play Opening Day.
When Interleague play was created in 1997, the games were played with one “natural rival” series in May, e.g. Yankees vs. Mets, White Sox vs. Cubs, with the remaining games played out in June.
This season, Interleague games will be played in eight series (four at home and four on the road). The “natural rivals” will now play back-to-back two-game series spanning both cities/venues.
According to MLB, the Orioles “natural rival” is the nearby Washington Nationals. The “battle of the beltways” home-and-home stand will begin on May 27 in Washington and conclude in Baltimore on May 30.
The O’s lead the all-time series against the Nationals 23-19. (Flickr user Let Teddy Win!)
In addition to the Nationals, the Orioles will also play host to the Los Angeles Dodgers (who visit Baltimore for the first time since 2002), the San Diego Padres for two games in mid-May, and the Colorado Rockies.
The O’s will travel to west to play the Padres for two games in Southern California, then travel to the Bay Area to face the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants, and then they will play the Arizona Diamondbacks before heading back east.
The Orioles released their “early bird” schedule (Adobe Reader is required to view the printable schedule) on Sept. 28, 2012.