O's 2nd half outlook full of questions, players to watch
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The best news for the Orioles as they begin the second half Thursday at home vs. Detroit is that the season's longest homestand is here. Beginning Thursday, the O's host the Tigers, Blue Jays, and Angels for an 11-game stretch. The Orioles are 25-16 at home this season.
If the O's want to make a run at a .500 record, a strong homestand would be a good step in the right direction.
The Orioles play 40 of the remaining 69 games at home. They still have 39 games remaining vs. tough AL East opponents and 40 games against teams that currently have winning records.
If the Orioles trade several key players for prospects at the trade deadline though, it could mean this year's team would have no shot at a winning record, but more young prospects in the system for the future.
Things to follow in the second half:
*Aubrey Huff will try to become the first Oriole since Miguel Tejada (who hit 34 HR in 2004) to have a 30-homer season. He's on pace for 31 right now.
*On a similar note, can Luke Scott out-homer Tejada? They were traded for each other in December, with the O's of course, getting four other players. Scott has 14 homers now to Tejada's 10.
*George Sherrill will attempt to break Randy Myers' single-season saves record of 45, set in 1997. Sherrill is on pace for 48. Of course, Myers suffered just one blown save that entire 1997 season.
*Brian Roberts is in pursuit of the team doubles record of 50, which he currently shares with Miguel Tejada. He has 33 now and is on pace for 57.
*Will Brandon Fahey hold down the shortstop position? If the O's make a move to acquire one, will it be just a stop-gap for this year or will they go after their shortstop of the future?
*Will we see continued improvement/developement from young players like Adam Jones, Dennis Sarfate, Garrett Olson and Jim Johnson?
*When will the O's announce that they have picked up Dave Trembley's contract option for next year, and will Trembley get an extension?
*Can Jeremy Guthrie get his record at or above .500 and top his win total of last year? He is 5-7 now and was 7-5 all of last season.
*Will Matt Wieters get a September call-up? Most reporters are guessing the answer is no. Not that he won't deserve it, but after a long, full first season in pro baseball, the O's may just tell him to go home and rest for a while.
*Will the O's ever win again on Sunday? The Major League record of 21 straight losses on a given day is now within reach, but let's hope they never get to it. The O's are at 14 right now.
*Will the 10-year run of losing seasons come to an end?
The Orioles so far-
Record: 45-48 Home: 25-16 Road: 20-32
v. AL East: 16-24 v. Central: 9-7 v. West: 9-10
Score 4 or more: 40-18 Score 3 or less: 5-30
One-Run games: 17-18 Two-Run games: 6-11
April: 15-12
May: 11-16
June: 15-12
July: 4-8
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