A few thoughts on the first half

MINNEAPOLIS - When does four games below .500 at the All-Star break feel like a positive development?

When the Orioles were six below with two left.

Too bad there's really no such thing as momentum in baseball based on games won. The next day's starting pitcher dictates it. And four days will pass before the Orioles resume play.

They need Kevin Gausman to come out strong on Friday against the Cubs. They need the entire rotation to step up or they have no shot at contending.

The starters are dragging a 5.75 ERA into the second half, last in the American League and 29th in the majors Their 456 2/3 innings also are last in the league and 28th in the majors.

The bullpen pays a heavy price, of course, with 326 innings that are the most in the league and the second-highest in baseball.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette doesn't figure to slip into seller mode with the Orioles four games out of the wild card. He wants to bring in another starting pitcher, but finding a match always is a challenge. Too many other teams have the same need and many of them can offer more prospects.

Manager Buck Showalter didn't name a starter for Sunday's game, skipping over it while listing Gausman for Friday, Wade Miley for Saturday and most likely Chris Tillman on July 17 and Dylan Bundy July 18.

Ubaldo Jiménez could take the turn, but the Orioles also have left-hander Jayson Aquino down at Triple-A Norfolk and he impressed Showalter in Wednesday's start with three earned runs, no walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings in Milwaukee.

Jiménez has registered a 6.67 ERA in 83 2/3 innings. Tillman has a 7.90 ERA in 49 innings, Gausman a 5.85 ERA in 97 innings, Miley a 4.97 ERA in 88 2/3 innings and Bundy a 4.33 ERA in 108 innings. Bundy's ERA was 2.89 back on May 29, but Gausman's was 6.60 on June 16.

Any and all reflections on the first half must take you back to a rotation that dragged down the team.

First baseman Chris Davis comes off the disabled list on Friday, bringing another roster move for a club that can't go more than a few days without one. Second baseman Johnny Giavotella might have to exit the 25-man roster after having his contract selected last week.

Showalter indicated that he wanted to take a look at Giavotella, but so far it's amounted to one start and six plate appearances. The Orioles like his bat and his energy. His defense has improved since Bobby Dickerson began working with him in spring training, but it's not a plus.

How else could the Orioles make room for Davis? They need a utility infielder and Rubén Tejada currently fills the role.

The word on Tejada is that he's more of an offensive threat than Paul Janish, but he isn't as dependable in the field. Tejada has made some nice plays at shortstop, but he's also been exposed a few times.

Yesterday's error in the eighth inning was one example. He also failed to come up with a ground ball up the middle earlier in the series that allowed Twins speedster Byron Buxton to score from first base.

J.J. Hardy doesn't have his old range, of course, but he makes that play. He also handles the rundowns better than what we saw during the last road trip. He's sorely missed, no matter what he's batting.

Davis' return will give the Orioles a third left-handed hitter. They lean too far to the right and it's an issue for Showalter.

Ryan Flaherty was an extra left-handed bat, though he's far more valuable for his versatility and trustworthiness on defense. He remains on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain.

Pedro Álvarez had two hits yesterday in Columbus, but he's batting .229/.298/.433 in 90 games. He has 19 doubles, 17 home runs and 56 RBIs.

There's no position for Álvarez to play. The Orioles ended the outfield experiment a while ago and won't put him back in the infield. He'd be a left-handed designated hitter and pinch-hitter, and so far I've been given no indication that the Orioles are willing to do it.

Caleb Joseph has 17 RBIs in 51 games this season. He had none last year in 49 games. And that will be my last reference to his 2016 RBI total.