A CUP of JOE in the SHOW Report #87....Top WEEKEND Series on JUNIOR Circuit... Skip SHOWALTER and O's tackle LEYLAND'S TIGERS...RAYS go West for a 3-Game Set vs HALOS....AL PENNANT Race and Wild Card on the Line....NO Series Off

The Surprise well by now no longer a surprise but the Baltimore Orioles are in it to Win it. They are 6 Games back of the Bronx Bombers but they lead the AL Wild Card with the Detroit Tigers in the #3 Hole for the AL Wild Card (1 Game back of the Rays) and the 1-Game Playoff.  As we know the best way to make up any ground as the Pennant Races tighten is head to head on the Schedule.

The Rays on the other hand have been really hot and they will take their #2 Seed in the AL Wild Card and put it to Test against the Halos who all of a sudden see themselves 2.5 back in the AL Wild Card and 7 full Games back of the AL West leading Rangers. The safest thing to do would be to catch the Division Leaders but the Wild Card is Insurance although 1-Game Playoff Insurance.

Top AL Weekend Series August 17 - August 19 2012 is Sponsored by..."Don't Scoreboard watch...worry about the Team in front of you and everything else will take care of itself".  

O's @ TIGERS

August 17
BAL Hunter (4-7) vs DET Verlander (12-7) 7:05PM ET

August 18
BAL TBD  vs   DET Porcello (9-7) 7:05PM ET

August 19
BAL Chen (11-7) vs DET Foster (7-7) 1:05PM ET

The O's will face Verlander Tonight and the Tigers will have to face Chen on Getaway Day Sunday. Tigers only 2.5 Back of the Pale Hose. O's leading AL Wild Card with Rays.

RAYS @ HALOS

August 17
TB Shields (10-7) vs LAA Weaver (15-2) 10:05 PM ET

August 18
TB Cobb (7-8) vs LAA Wilson (9-9) 9:05PM ET

August 19
TB  Moore (9-7) vs LAA Greinke (10-4) 3:35PM ET

This is what its all about a Big Time Duel from the Bump Opening Night in Orange County California. Shields vs Weaver and there shall be Limited Fireworks and a Possible Rally Monkey siting form the Halos.  Day 2 The Rays will see Halos Huge Free Agent Pick Up from Winter Meetings 2011in CJ Wilson. And Day 3 the Rays will get 2012 MLB Trade Deadline Pick Up Zack Greinke. The Halos fortunately will not see Rays Left-Handed Ace David Price in this Series.

These Two Series will Impact the The Entire American League all Weekend. The Rays and O's come in feeling as though they have a chance to catch the Bronx Bombers. The Halos are looking more to AL Wild Card unless they get Hot and the Rangers cool off. Pujols has been carrying the Halos Offense since All-Star Break ended.

Look for the Tigers to keep a Close Eye on the South Siders as the Pale Hose try to put some more distance between them and the Tigers.

Note: Schedule and Stats from MLB.com