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There's no question this is a rough stretch for the Orioles scheduling-wise. After last week's brutal, 7-day road-trip, the team was only home for 2-and-a-half days before getting on a 6-hour flight to Los Angeles last night to begin a 10-day West Coast swing.

I've been very impressed by the lack of whining in the clubhouse. In fact, I haven't heard one player complain of being tired or use it as an excuse for lack of production. In all fairness though, you have to assume the grind does wear on the players. You try hitting a 96-mph fastball exhausted---it ain't easy.

That being said, many of the Orioles have been bothered by the fact the media is pointing out how low the Orioles individual batting averages are across the board. Even though the observation is accurate, the player's argument is that the team has a winning record (15-13), and that when they do hit, it's at the right time. Timely hitting, they say, is more important than consistent hitting and winning is more important than individual batting averages. As Brian Roberts pointed out, "it's no fun batting .350 if your team is losing."

It's a valid argument, and I understand their distaste for negativity when so many positive storylines are surrounding this club, but the reality is, there will have to be some consistency offensively in order to continue winning over a long period of time.

Dave Trembley said he believes the pleasant weather expected in L.A. and Oakland should help get the bats going. That's music to Jeremy Guthrie's ears. The righty has had less run support in his starts than any other Orioles pitcher, and has racked up some losses despite delivering very quality starts.