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The Grand Slam: Analyzing the Orioles (Week 12)

Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina Perna

Confidence men: The two guys who may hold the key to the Orioles chances of staying alive in the wild card race are still searching for consistency. Jake Arrieta, pictured, has started to rebound after losing six straight decisions in May and early June. Brian Matusz has turned in the other direction, losing his last four decisions after turning in his best performance of the year on June 2. If the two of them could ever get things together at the same time, the Orioles would be in great shape for the second half. Both have too much talent to be a combined 8-18, so you have to wonder whats holding them back.

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Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron

Time to deal: Baseball operations chief Dan Duquette has said that hes focused on improving the team and keeping hope alive for 2012, but if thats the case he had better get to it. The Yankees have stretched their AL East lead to five games and the Red Sox have started to make a move. The Orioles would still make the playoffs as the second wild card team if the postseason were to start today, but they need someone to help glue the offensive attack back together. Markakis may be back soon, but another solid run-producer who can play left field might be the difference between a real second-half run or a midseason retreat.

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Peter Schmuck looks at four things (plus one) that we learned about the Orioles over the past week.