Randy Myers, 1997 Fleer #11

Look out, Randy Myers. Jim Johnson is coming. The Orioles closer is a major reason why the team has now won a club-record 13 straight games decided by a single run. Tonight he sealed a 4-3 comeback win over the Central-leading White Sox, earning his 40th save in 43 opportunities. Johnson now trails only Myers (who was 45-of-46 in the O's division-winning 1997 season) for the most saves in one year by an Oriole. The importance of a top closer is easy to overstate, but the 2012 Birds win most of their games by the thinnest of margins, and I can guarantee that they wouldn't be leading the Wild Card chase with Kevin Gregg taking the ball in the ninth inning. There are still four days left in August, and the Orioles have 70 wins. They haven't reached 70 over a full season since 2006, and haven't exceeded that total since 2005. They're even ahead of the pace of the "Why Not?" Orioles of 1989, who were 67-60 at this juncture. With losses by the Yankees and Rays tonight, Baltimore climbs back up to second place in the East, 3.5 games back of the Yankees. This is frighteningly real.