The Orioles are fighting for a chance to play in October and doing so valiantly; however, do you all feel that things will come up short for the black and orange in the final week or so of the 2013 season?
They have eight games left and we all know that they have to win.
After their intense 18-innning thriller against the Rays that saw them lose 5-4, the two teams played another game about 11 hours later.
Sadly, they lost again 5-1 as Miguel Gonzalez – who started for Baltimore – could not contain Tampa Bay; meanwhile Rays’ starter Alex Cobb had his way with the Orioles, striking out 12 batters and went into the ninth inning.
The Orioles took two of three from the Boston Red Sox last week and knew that they could not afford to lose any ground to the Rays. So far, things are not going to plan for Baltimore.
They are now 3 ½ games behind in the wild card chase and need a miracle perhaps to make the playoffs. There are two teams now ahead of them – Texas, New York and Kansas City is also 3 ½ back of the final wild card spot.
As of this morning, the Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay Rays hold both wild card spots.
At this point, the Orioles will probably come up short of making their second consecutive post-season. They have done a good job staying competitive in 2013; however, it seems that their acquisitions during the trade deadline have not worked out. In addition, they really need a game-changer/ace in the rotation. As well, we can question some of Showalter's decision (i.e., Jim Johnson as closer when he was clearly struggling), but the players in the end make or break things.
The Orioles are a good, but not an elite team.
Then again, before I put the epitaph on a good season for the Birds, they somehow have to find a way to win the final two games in their series against the Rays.
If they don’t, it’s probably game, set, match for the Orioles this season for a potential playoff spot.
Well, if the Orioles are swept by the Rays, there’s no way they can make up a five game or more deficit in the final six games of the 2013 regular season.
