Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
You can’t get any better than the start the Baltimore Orioles got off to in the second half of the season. Actually it can’t get better than a series sweep. The only thing I can think that would be better than a series sweep would be another series sweep and a long winning streak. Right now the Orioles look like they could pull that off for sure. It might be a problem facing the team they have next up but if they pull off a series win in the four-game set with the Kansas City Royals; they could be making another charge towards first place in the American League Central.
The stumbling block in that plan would be the Royals’ better than decent pitching staff. There are three pitchers facing the Orioles over the next few days that can easily be the next one to throw a complete game shutout or even the next no-hitter potentially. Of course the O’s powerful offense can also be the next to slam home double digit runs against an All-Star caliber starting pitcher. Which one will win in the coming series?
Honestly I think the Orioles are on a great roll that could even see them take quite a strong offensive through this series. I would look for them to win or split the series but probably winning three of four. On the other side of the division, the Boston Red Sox are still winning tough series after tough series. At this point it looks like the Orioles best chance to take first place might be for the Tampa Bay Rays to take first from the Sox and then the O’s can focus on chasing them down. Don’t count on it being that easy though.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google Plus.
