My first three personal goals for the Orioles in 2014 were all accomplished:

1. Take the season series from the Yankees. [13-6]
2. Finish ahead of the Yankees. [clinched AL East crown]
3. If possible, directly eliminate the Yankees from postseason contention. [done on 9/24]

That makes up for SOME of the frustration during the last 18 years. What still remains a priority is to see the O's take a postseason series from them TWICE (make up for 1996 and 2012).

Now, for THIS postseason. There is more business to take care of:

4. If they meet, eliminate Oakland in ALCS (make up for ONE of their TWO series losses in 1973 and 1974).
5. If they meet, eliminate Pittsburgh in WS (make up for ONE of their TWO series losses in 1971 and 1979.

As for Detroit, Baltimore has never met the Motor City in postseason play - at least not in baseball or football (possibly the NBA Bullets and Pistons did a long time ago; I did not research that). Yes, the Tigers won the season series 5-1. But that was early in the season before the O's team came together (65-36 since June 9).

Speaking of Pittsburgh, Baltimore is 0-7 against Steeltown in postseason play (Orioles are 0-2; Baltimore Colts are 0-2; Ravens are 0-3). Looking forward to a turnaround in years to come.

'Bottom Line' on Orioles chances of making it to the World Series AND winning it:

Between June 9 and when they finally clinched the AL East, no team in MLB won more consecutive series than the O's. In the postseason, winning consecutive series is what it is all about. Otherwise you are eliminated. Remember, they call it the World SERIES for a reason.