Before the 2013 season, the most talked about teams in the American League East were the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. Both had a lot of the same personnel from their 2012 playoff teams.

So, naturally, the Red Sox won the division and the Tampa Bay Rays were a playoff team. The Orioles and Yankees finished tied for third.

Coming into 2014, the Red Sox and Rays had several players returning … which obviously meant nothing since those two teams are at the bottom of the division (Boston is last).

And look who ran away with the division – Baltimore.

“It’s such a crazy game,” said Orioles utility player Ryan Flaherty, who is preparing for the Orioles’ second playoff appearance in three years.

Flaherty, 28, a Portland native and Deering High graduate, is not going to contend for a batting title (hitting .215), but he continues to demonstrate his worth. After Friday night, Flaherty had appeared in a career-high 94 games, while playing six positions.

To save time, we’ll just say Flaherty has not pitched, caught or played center field.

And he’s showing a hot bat, with a .293 average in September, including a sizzling series at Fenway Park last week (6 for 13).

“We’re here in September and finishing strong,” Flaherty said during his recent visit to Boston. “We have a lot of the same guys, a lot of similarities from 2012 and from last year. It’s such a small line (between winning and losing).

“You can talk about things on paper all you want. You never know. It’s why you play the game.”

Flaherty called this year’s team “resilient,” overcoming injuries. “Guys have stepped up and fill the void.”

Flaherty is often filling in.

With star third baseman Manny Machado out with a knee injury, Flaherty has played his share there. When J.J. Hardy’s back is acting up, Flaherty is at shortstop. He’s also played second base a bunch and, when Chris Davis was suspended for using amphetamines on Sept. 12, Flaherty was at first base.

In the 2012 playoffs, the rookie Flaherty played in four of Baltimore’s six games (the Orioles won the wild card game and lost the best-of-five divisional series to the Yankees). Flaherty hit a home run in the series against the Yankees.

He may have an expanded role in the 2014 postseason. With the Red Sox season finished next week, New England fans still have someone to root for in October.

PORTLAND AND Pawtucket both reached their respective minor league playoffs. With rosters changing constantly – as Boston was calling up players – one transaction stands out.

On Sept. 2, Sea Dogs starter Keith Couch was sent to Pawtucket to make room on the Portland roster for outfielder Rusney Castillo. Couch would be replacing Brandon Workman, who was called up to Boston on Sept. 3.

Without Couch, the Sea Dogs fell one game short in its Eastern League divisional series against Binghamton. Leading the series 2-1, Portland lost the final two games as its starters allowed a total of 11 runs in 71/3 innings. Binghamton went on to sweep Richmond for the Eastern League title.

Couch, meanwhile, pitched in the International League title- deciding game in Durham, N.C., allowing one hit and no runs over 62/3 innings, in Pawtucket’s 4-1 victory.

Couch, 24, will move on to the Arizona Fall League. He was 8-2 in Portland (2.91 ERA), but missed time with a sore arm. Couch has dealt with the label of a pitcher without outstanding stuff, but he keeps producing. He is eligible for the Rule V draft in December.

THE WICHITA Wingnuts, a team with Sea Dogs connections, claimed the independent American Association championship this month. Ryan Khoury (with Portland, 2008-11) was a league all-star at shortstop. Kevin Hooper (Sea Dogs, 2001) managed the team and Nate Robertson (2002) is one of the team owners.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: ClearTheBases

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