Mike Flanagan -- UP -- He refused to quit on an injured staff. Now almost completely healed, the Orioles may be a stronger pitching team this second half than in the first half. Pete Smith credits Flanagan for his recent transformation. A pitching coach's pitching coach, Flanagan has left his own fingerprint.

Eric Davis -- UP -- He will be an Oriole next year. Can there be a better ending to his story?

Jimmy Key -- DOWN -- He made it back from an inflamed rotator cuff, but his condition still lingers. An underrated career nears an end.

Ray Miller -- UP -- The manager has reined in an ill-fitting, speed-based offensive approach and provided stability to a veteran lineup. That's all his clubhouse ever wanted.

Armando Benitez -- UP -- Quietly, Benitez has reasserted himself as a late-inning force. Heading into the weekend, he had allowed two hits and no runs in his last 13 appearances.

Juan Guzman -- UP -- Only two others in team history have worn his No. 57. Neither Tony Arnold nor Jeff Schneider offered his potential impact. Should the Orioles complete their impossible task, his presence will be considered the talisman.

Pub Date: 8/09/98