When the baseball season started more than three months ago, the Orioles' stated goal was a .500 finish, a mark that the club's top executives felt was attainable with an overhauled bullpen, a burgeoning starting rotation and a balanced lineup.
However, with the second half set to begin tonight with the Chicago White Sox in town for a four-game series at Camden Yards, the Orioles are 38-49, the fourth-worst record in the American League.
In a tumultuous first half, they fired their manager, replacing Sam Perlozzo with Dave Trembley on an interim basis. They have hired a new president of baseball operations, as the well-respected Andy MacPhail took control of the front office.
On the field, Miguel Tejada, the Orioles' most accomplished hitter, fractured his left wrist and went on the disabled list, leaving an already stagnant offense in worse shape. The made-over bullpen, overused early, has sprung several leaks. Offensive and relief deficiencies have forced the starting rotation, which was also riddled by injuries, to become the backbone of the team, and it has handled the responsibility with aplomb.
To finish .500 and avoid extending their franchise record to 10 straight losing seasons, the Orioles will need to post a winning percentage of .573 for the second half. It doesn't appear likely, but there are other issues at stake during the final 2 1/2 months of the season.