BALTIMORE ORIOLES (44-44; 3RD PLACE, AL EAST)
BIG PICTURE
The Orioles could explain away their slow start because injuries cost Matt Wieters 53 games, J.J. Hardy 25 games and
Jonathan Schoop 71 games. They could tell themselves that once they got their real team back on the field they’d be fine.
They have recovered somewhat but still haven’t played the way they expected. With the team mostly healthy, the second half could well be better.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Adam Jones carried the Orioles in April, but Manny Machado has emerged as the team’s best player. Machado, who turned 23 the week before the All-Star break, seems to have his career back on superstar track, after interruptions for injury and signs of immaturity.
With a June on-base-plus-slugging percentage of 1.046, Machado was fourth in the American League behind Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Last year, Jimmy Paredes went from the Miami Marlins to the Orioles to the Kansas City Royals and back to the Orioles, all on waiver claims or cash deals. This year, Paredes has hit 10 home runs before the All-Star break break.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Bud Norris won 15 games for the Orioles last year. The reward was an $8.8 million contract. Bad decision. This year, Norris has been so bad the Orioles finally had to remove him from the rotation after he put up a 6.79 ERA as a starter.
TRADE DEADLINE FORECAST
Seemingly forever, Orioles general manager Dan Duquette has been looking for a big-time starting pitcher. He has found mostly midlevel starters with his midseason deals, but that might be enough to push Baltimore to the top of the AL East.