Orioles series has finally arrived, though the drama is not as thick as it could have been — not that the Yankees are complaining.

That's against varying degrees of Athletics, from "scrappy upstarts" to "bearded AL West contenders" to "straight-up tanking and stripped for parts." The Yankees lose to any and all of them in this ballpark.

Even in a time where there are far more second- and third-place finishers who qualify for playoff berths, first place still says something.

Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto homered and Aaron Nola struck out seven to help the Philadelphia Phillies clinch their first NL East title since 2011 with a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.