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I -- until -- Harrington and this episode of triple play is presented by -- never stop improving. I'm pleased to be joined by fox sports that comes national baseball writer John Palmer wrote they. Think he was -- around when he game left in the regular season think a look at three theories that could have a lot to say about which teams make the playoffs. First the rays and Orioles meet at Camden yards for three games in the middle of the week which team do you think faces more pressure to win the. -- Jill the Orioles are ahead of the rays in the standings and the series is in Baltimore. But I actually think the pressure is on the Orioles they just lost Nick Markakis -- to a long term injury. Over the weekend they were unable to get sole possession of first place in this series with the Yankees. I think this is a crucial crucial week. For the Orioles to show that they can make up for the loss of Nick Markakis and still be key players in this AL post season rates. Two huge players to watch for Baltimore. Chris Davis who's going to be replacing Nick Markakis in right field. And then Nate McLouth -- -- they picked up as the season went along. He is going to be the new leadoff man Markakis had been a dynamic player in that spot. Hitting around 330 in recent weeks he is a huge loss for them both offensively and defensively and the Orioles need to make a strong statement this week that there in this race to stay. Not a tighter than White Sox boat had their struggle lately. -- in their crucial four game that on the south side that week. Well -- the Tigers have to find a way to hit with runners in scoring position they were swept over the weekend and Anaheim scoring only five runs in the three games. This -- is a team that needs to sustain itself on offense they do have Verlander insurers are and they actually pitched. Decently over the weekend sure -- -- Verlander not so much. But they were not able to win with -- of their top two guys going over the weekend because they cannot hit with men in scoring position it's been -- mystifying problems for them of late. They need the bottom part of the order. Alex Avila Jhonny Peralta Brandon botched it even maybe -- contributions from -- -- Garcia the young rookie. They need somebody other than Miguel Cabrera and -- -- -- to drive in runs Cabrera courses and I don't recently by that ankle injury. This Tigers team that has a lot of expectations -- what they need to perform. Down the stretch in September the White Sox have a lot of respect they can have a lot of comfort coming into the series the rat -- they have four games they have their best starters Jake Peavy and Chris Sale lined up to pitch there. I think the White Sox as long as they can get a split here will be the driver's seat going forward in the American League central race. Finally the -- visit the suddenly hot Angels in Anaheim. Wincing at the end and that's. Mary. Joseph I like the Angels they are playing great baseball they have the best record in the month does -- timber of an. Any team in baseball entering this series tons of momentum as I mention the sweep of the Tigers this is finally it -- that has found a way to pitch. That was the big question mark about this team going into the season. And really go in the second half -- that rotation round into form and here they haven't now finally C. J. Wilson with a good start over the weekend Ervin Santana Zack Greinke. This is now a team that can pitch as well that hits the hitting is never a question we all know about Mike -- probably still the favorite when the AL MVP -- this the team now that I think is very dangerous they have a lot of steam coming into the series the is of course just lost Brandon McCarthy there. Very -- will -- that very scary collision there -- the the ball ahead. They're on the mound recently to the Phillies are trying to reopen that a little bit. I I do still think the a's will be able to make the playoffs perhaps the wildcard but I do like the momentum here of -- Angels team coming in this huge series in. All right thanks take -- -- the -- this episode of triple play has been presented by -- never stop improving. For John Palmer resting until they Arrington we'll see you next time.