Orioles playoff chances dwindling - AL East Standings August 31, 2013Scott Feldman‘s gem in Yankee Stadium wasn’t enough as the Orioles dropped another tough one to New York, 2-0. The Birds will hope to avoid the sweep on Sunday after falling to fourth place in the American League East and behind the Yankees in the AL Wild Card race.

It’s not as though the Orioles being 4.5 games back of the Wild Card heading into September is a death sentence for their playoff chances, but their recent play certainly hasn’t instilled much confidence.

Since the All-Star break the Orioles are 18-20 after going 53-43 in the first half. The O’s will finish August 12-14 after a losing July (12-13). They are just eight games over .500 for the first time since July 10 and 33-34 on the road this season.

ESPN.com’s playoff odds say that the O’s have a 12.9 percent chance to make the postseason.

Saturday’s loss was particularly frustrating. When the Orioles get a stellar starting pitching performance from their bottom ranked rotation (4.35 team ERA, 28th in MLB), their top-tier offense (.783 OPS, 2nd in MLB) has to produce.

In order to climb back in it, the Orioles will have to put together a lengthy winning streak. The Birds longest streak this season was five wins (July 14-22).