Happy All Star Break.
The Orioles reached the halfway point (which really isn’t halfway through the season, since there are only 77 games left to be played) at 45-40. They find themselves 7.0 games back of the first place Yankees (52-33) and half a game ahead of the Rays (45-41).
As the Birds rest for the next few days, let’s try and remember that five games above .500 is well above our preseason expectations for this club. No one — and I mean, no one — thought that the O’s would be able to grab a Wild Card spot this season. Yet if the MLB calendar year ended today, the Orioles would be playing postseason baseball.
Too bad it doesn’t.
There are many needs on this roster. Despite the fact that Adam Jones says the Orioles biggest need is “media,” they couldn’t definitely use a top of the rotation starter. With Chen and Hammel holding it down right now, the Birds could stay afloat with one more solid arm.
They could also use a table-setter at the front of the lineup. Brian Roberts is likely done for the season, but Shane Victorino could be available in Philly. Hopefully Dan Duq is burning up the phone lines.
Still, I say that 82 wins is a hell of an accomplishment in Baltimore. I’d love to see the O’s play baseball into October, but a winning season is the first hurdle to clear and I won’t be disappointed if that’s where they finish at the end of the second half.
This season is smoke and mirrors. It’s a mirage , they are not as good as second place says , just look at the rest of the teams in the division. The Yankees are playing well , the others are way below their standard of play and the lackluster O’s are the beneficiary. When the smoke clears they will have another losing season…
I dont understand why people can appreciate the quality first half the birds have had. Baltimore sports fans are the most Fair-weather fans in the country. Not just baseball but football also. Ray Rice could rush for 200 yards on a sunday loss and the only thing concentrated on is joe flacco throwing two picks and how much he “sucks”(i dont think you suck joe, man chu was bad ass). As far as the orioles are concerned the second half has been there time for the past few years. Markakis heats up and so does Wieters. if hardy and reynolds come and around and jones continues to hit the daylights out of the ball, they might have a real shot. Baltimore fans need to pull there heads outta there butts and appreciate whats happening here. young, determined, talented rising team. a litte more quality time together and these boys will be a winning ball club, just as long as angelos keeps his nose out of it.
Big Ry,
I’m with ya. This town has said “all I want is a competitive team” yet here we are, hanging onto the last playoff berth and it aint good enough.
This town’s baseball knowledge went out the window after 14 losing seasons. Fans lament over 1 baseball loss as if it’s a football game where only 16 games are played.
Folks, in a 162 game season, 10 games is the equivalent of 1 football game. Do the math.
Peter the Great has shit on the fans for the past fourteen years , while I wish the O’s well , it will take more than half a season to regain my loyalty………..Angelos still sucks and still doesn’t care about the fans , because his trust fund is his major concern……………….
To each his own, spy. I’m a much bigger baseball fan than football fan, so I’m enjoying still being relevant into mid-July.
While accross the street the “making the playoffs” Ravens continue to do things that get little media play – stripping away Training Camp from the fans, then having lottery balls for the 4 camp events they will have AND charging for parking! Developing a “star” system in players where all the salary cap money goes to a few guys – Lewis, Ngata, Suggs, Yanda, and the biggest question of all, Webb, while they have only a few bucks to sign their franchise QB and little else for the remaining 40 guys on the roster. Who are the Ravens’ safeties now?!? Did you hear the Ravens cancelled Flacco’s football camp for underprivelaged youth? Seems they couldn’t “come to a deal” with the facility. Of course it was brushed under the carpet after a cloak and dagger Friday afternoon Raven’s PR press release under the scrutiny of the CIA-like Castle at Owings Mills.
All of this gets poo pooed by the “Pink Hats” who still think I’m talking about a pop singer when I bring up Michael Jackson. Have a few 8-8 seasons and see what happens.
I actually agree with you comcerning the Ravens,,,,,I believe Ozzie has screwed the salary cap up so much he won’t get out of it anytime soon,,,,,,,,,,you are so right in your ‘star system’ comment , the lack of quality second tier players have hurt this team for a decade,,,,,,,,,,
I too like the O’s but I’m having a hard time buying what they are doing , I hope you understand that , I wish both teams well , they both have their problems , but the Ravens appear to be more competitive year after year , this may change unless they get rid of Ozzie real soon , he is past his prime…………