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With every passing day, another team climbs into playoff contention, especially in the American League. It’s not supposed to be this way, but it is.

The Morning Report is a quick roundup of links to stories that Carroll County residents are talking about for August 23, 2016.

First pitch, broadcast info, starting pitchers, lineups and what to watch in the Orioles' game against the Astros.

Even among the American League All-Stars, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is in a good spot in the lineup, hitting third in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

Baltimore County Public Schools will be hosting a fundraising event as part of its Back to School Involves You, Too! campaign Aug. 18.

Nearly one year after the Orioles cut ties with right-hander Bud Norris following a disastrous first four months of the 2015, Norris has resurrected his career and is back pitching for a contender.

Here's a rundown of who the Orioles could send to the All-Star Game in San Diego, along with their chances of selection, as the Tuesday roster announcement approaches.

Twice this month, the Orioles have demoted a starting pitcher from the rotation, only to have him rejoin it shortly thereafter out of circumstance and necessity. There are only so many alternatives inside the organization, and when the Orioles begin to assess the market to add starters through trades over the next few weeks, they might be left wanting as well.

Adam Jones still struggles calling himself a "leadoff hitter," shaking his head at the thought of it. That's because the Orioles center fielder isn't the

James B. "Jimmy" Williams, whose professional baseball career spanned more than four decades and during the 1980s was the Orioles' first and third base and outfield coach, died Monday from pneumonia at Season Hospice at Franklin Square Medical Center. He was 90.

"And I used to always tell him that there were guys that paid their dues," Palmer said.

First pitch, broadcast info, starting pitchers and what to watch in the Orioles' game against the Indians.

The slumping Orioles bats woke up in Cleveland Friday night and rallied to break open a tied game with a three-run seventh inning, winning 6-4.

Considering the already slim odds of a slow-to-grow boy from Arkansas making the major leagues, a coin flip doesn't sound so bad. The doctor who performed major surgery on Ashur Tolliver's labrum four years ago wouldn't even give him that.

It is understandable that the Orioles would like to write off their mortifying three-game series in Houston as a strange anomaly.

The Orioles struck out 52 times in a three-game series to set a major league record this week, and Adam Jones doesn't care.

First pitch, broadcast info, starting pitchers and what to watch in the Orioles' game against the Astros.

Orioles left fielder Hyun Soo Kim had a team-high three hits in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros, and will be in the lineup again Thursday.

A night after striking out 19 times in a 13-inning loss to the Houston Astros, the Orioles fell 4-3 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.

Orioles notes on Dylan Bundy, Yovani Gallardo, J.J. Hardy, and Hunter Harvey.

First pitch, broadcast info, starting pitchers and what to watch in the Orioles' game against the Astros.

Orioles can't just become resigned to it. They are going to strike out a lot, but that doesn't mean they get to leave their brains in the on-deck circle.

The Orioles acknowledged their strikeouts are becoming a problem, but accept that it's just who they are as a team.

The Orioles' longest game of the year, Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Houston Astros, was one they will quickly try to forget.

Left-hander Ashur Tolliver joined the Orioles in Houston Tuesday, and was added to the roster, the team announced.

First pitch, broadcast info, starting pitchers and what to watch in the Orioles' game against the Astros.

There are all sorts of reasons to believe the Orioles will remain competitive in the American League East and make a strong bid to reach the postseason. The starting rotation, however, is not one of them.

On Friday, the Orioles will open their longest road trip of the season thus far: a three-city, nine-game, 10-day trip that will take them to face the Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians, forcing them to play games in three different time zones.

For Tyler Wilson, the difference between a good outing on Thursday and a bad one came down to a single swing.

Orioles right-hander Mike Wright didn¿t get hit hard by a pedestrian Oakland Athletics lineup, but he did get hit often Saturday.

Orioles right-hander Tyler Wilson had it all working for five innings Wednesday night, but he had no margin for error when he faltered in the sixth.

The Orioles bolstered their pitching depth by adding veteran left-hander Wandy Rodriguez on a minor league deal.

First pitch, broadcast info, starting pitchers and what to watch in the Orioles' game against the Blue Jays.

Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo's record-setting power display this past week earned him his first career weekly award of his six-year major league career.

The Baltimore Orioles open the season without many options in the Triple-A Norfolk rotation, but require a six-man rotation to accommodate the talent in Double-A Bowie.

The Orioles announced two cuts to their spring training roster prior to Friday night¿s Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees, optioning right-hander Parker Bridwell and left-hander Chris Lee to Double-A Bowie.

Christian Walker¿s powerful spring training continued Thursday at JetBlue Park against the Boston Red Sox, where after a first-inning strikeout he cleared the replica Green Monster in left field with a three-run home run in the third inning of the Orioles¿ 9-5 loss.

Orioles first baseman Christian Walker made a strong impression in his first spring training game Tuesday, driving in three runs and hitting a two-run homer in the Orioles' 4-4 10-inning tie with the Atlanta Braves in the Grapefruit League opener for both teams.

The Orioles are still waiting on final results of Yovani Gallardo's physical, but they aren't standing still. Source confirms that they have agreed to terms with outfielder Dexter Fowler.

As Orioles pitchers took part in their first bullpen sessions of spring training Friday, manager Buck Showalter made sure he got a good glimpse of left-hander Chris Lee's first throwing session.

Sometimes, Dan Duquette's roster moves leave you scratching your head, but there is a method to his madness.

Another Orioles starting rotation target came off the board today when free-agent right-hander Doug Fister agreed to terms with the Houston Astros on a one-year contract.

The Orioles made a minor trade with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday afternoon, acquiring left-handed-hitting outfielder Efren Navarro for cash. The Orioles designated right-handed-hitting outfielder L.J. Hoes for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Steve Pearce has been on and off the Orioles roster enough times that you can't rule out the possibility that he'll be back.

Pitchers Mychal Givens, Jason Garcia, and Chris Lee didn't get on the mound during Orioles minicamp this week.

In the span of just a few months last season, the Orioles transformed left-hander Chris Lee from a lottery ticket with a live arm into a potential starting pitcher with a fastball that reaches the mid-90s and is on the 40-man roster.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents to The Evening Sun's nonscientific phone survey on topical issues said the club should "stick with its youth movement."

The more Mark Quinn went through the process, the former major league outfielder became sold that this was the right time for him to return to the big leagues, this time as a coach for the first time.

Who has the best bullpen in the AL East? And who has the best late-inning combo in the division?