The Orioles don't have it easy. More than seven players manager Buck Showalter had penciled into the opening day roster are now on the DL and, yet, the club is in first place in the AL East heading into tonight's scheduled series opener with the Yankees at Camden Yards and won a series from each of its divisional opponents.

Last year, almost half of the team's losses came in-division. The O's have won 12 of 18 AL East games. The Birds have played several close games against the Yankees, winning two of six so far, and took a series two weeks ago in the Bronx.

Showalter's not biting in terms of putting significance on the Orioles series win achievements during the first month and a half of the season.

"We're winning baseball games, but it doesn't necessarily mean something's going to happen for the next 100-something odd games," he said. "We're trying to keep the peaks going as long as we can and minimize the valleys."

Reliever Pedro Strop said the time for being shocked at the team's success is over.

"We're showing people that we can play and we can win," Strop said, "because a lot of people are asking me, 'Are you surprised the team (is winning)?' I'm not surprised. We prepared for this. We were hoping. A lot of people are surprised. But we're not. We're going to keep winning games."

Center fielder Adam said the AL East games were important, but a small step toward something bigger.

"We know in September, we're going to face our division," Jones said, "so to get off to a start against them now is a good thing."

The Orioles will play eight series during the last month of the season against AL East opponents. The Orioles played the role of spoiler against the Red Sox last season. They're trying to make sure that when September comes this year, they'll still be relevant.

Posted May 14, 2012