As the Orioles have struggled to get out of the gate, I've told people that it's still exceptionally early. No reason to panic yet.
This club is 7-10 and in last place in the American League East. Through 17 games last year, the Orioles were 8-9, and they went on to win the division by 12 games.
So, yeah, there is a whole lot of season left.
What's concerning, however, is also what made last year's club so good: consistency. The Orioles never lost more than four consecutive games, and their season-best winning streak was six.
The 2015 season isn't yet a month old, and the Orioles already have dropped five in a row. Manager Buck Showalter said he's not concerned about that; his team isn't one to "wallow around in self-pity."
And that has been this club's calling card. It never gets too high or too low.
But losing can snowball. And the fact that all 17 of these games have come against division teams is also a concern.
Last year, the Orioles had a winning record against every club in the AL East, and that combined 47-29 mark went a long way toward their 96-win campaign.
So, yeah, it's early. But these are still important games. And it's crucial that the Orioles stop the bleeding before the division, and maybe the season, gets away from them.