A look at the remaining schedule as calendar turns to September

The Orioles had losing months in both July and August, but they began September with a win Sunday by 6-1 at Colorado. The O's won the series over the Rockies.

The Orioles had gone 0-5-1 in their past six series versus National League opponents. But their win at Coors Field gave them their first series win over an NL team since they beat Atlanta and Philadelphia in Baltimore in mid June.

The Orioles have gone just 19-24 this season versus National League teams. During the six-series winless run that ended yesterday they were a combined 5-12 against the Cubs, Marlins, Padres, Nats, Mets and Dodgers. 

But now at 79-59 for the season, the Orioles have 24 games remaining. With the Yankees loss Sunday, they are 1/2-game back in the AL East.

Of the games remaining, the O's have three against a club well under .500, six games versus clubs over .500 and 15 against teams hovering around .500.

Here is what they have left:

* 3 versus the Chicago White Sox (.225 win percentage)

* 3 versus Tampa Bay (.493)

* 3 at Boston (.511)

* 3 at Detroit (.507)

* 3 versus San Francisco (.493)

* 3 versus Detroit (.507)

* 3 at New York Yankees (.577)

* 3 at Minnesota (.544)

The Yankees play this week at Texas and at the Chicago Cubs, then host Kansas City and Boston, play at Seattle and Oakland and then host the O's and Pittsburgh in the final week.

Not only are the Orioles chasing a first-round bye, but they last won back-to-back AL East championships in 1973 and 1974.

Holliday's solid defense: Jackson Holliday had one hit in each of the last four games of the O's road trip. His four-game hit streak is one shy of his season-best of five in a row from Aug. 2-7.

The kid seems to be playing more solid defense now at second base. He made another good play ranging to his left in the first inning Sunday at Coors Field.

A shortstop through most of his life and to begin his pro career, Holliday is starting to settle in nicely at second.

“I think I'm just getting more and more comfortable," he told me at Dodger Stadium. "Playing games, playing in high leverage spots. And just practicing every day helps me get more comfortable. That is the biggest key. Playing in stadiums like this in front of crowds like that help too.

“I think playing shortstop helped me with the move to second. Playing those games at I’d say a more difficult position makes it a little bit easier."

Draft picks are moving on up: The Orioles are promoting five members of their 2024 draft class from Low-A Delmarva to High-A Aberdeen. The moves were first reported by MASNSports.com last night.

Top pick, outfielder Vance Honeycutt from the University of North Carolina, taken No. 22 overall, is moving up and so is No. 32 overall pick, infielder Griff O'Ferrall from the University of Virginia.

Joining those players with Aberdeen will be second-round pick Ethan Anderson, third rounder Austin Overn and fifth-round pick Ryan Stafford.

In eight games with Delmarva, Honeycutt was 7-for-31 batting .226/.333/.258/.591 with a double and three RBIs.

In 15 Shorebirds games, O'Ferrall was 13-for-56, batting .232/.348/.268/.616 with two doubles and eight RBIs. So far, he has made 12 starts at short and three at second base.

Over 14 games, Anderson went 15-for-56, batting .268/.333/.446/.779 with three doubles, two triples, a homer and 11 RBIs. Anderson made six starts catching, four at first base and two in left field.

Overn, over 15 games, went 16-for-55, batting .291/.406/.455/.861 with four doubles, a triple, a homer, six RBIs and with 12 steals in 18 tries. 

In 15 games, Stafford went 16-for-49, batting .327/.444/.388/.932 with three doubles, seven RBIs and nine steals in 10 tries. He has made five starts at catcher, five at second base and three in the outfield.