After Toronto series split, O's now face the AL big boys

So the Orioles won the last two games of their series with Toronto, and that represented a nice comeback after losing on Thursday and Friday night. It looked like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and company might just mash their way to a four-game sweep in Baltimore, but then the Orioles posted 6-4 and 6-5 wins.

Not bad. They do keep coming back, these 2019 Orioles.

They have a winning record for over a month, going 16-15 since June 30. In that span they are 4-3-3 in 10 series, winning series against Cleveland, Boston, Toronto and the Los Angeles Angels. They are 7-5 the last 12 games and 10-7 over the past 17.

This is progress. We've seen individuals, along with the team, get better. But now come the next 10 games. All 10 are against the New York Yankees and Houston Astros. Gulp.

Can the Orioles even go 3-7 these next 10 games? Do they have the slightest chance to go .500?

Houston won again Sunday and has the third-best record in the majors at 73-40 (.646). The Astros have won seven of eight and 14 of the last 17. They are on a pace for 105 wins, which would make three straight 100-win seasons.

The Yankees completed a four-game sweep of the Red Sox last night. At .649, the Yanks are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the majors' best win percentage. New York is 72-39 for the year and 31-12 (.721) since June 15. The Yankees are 39-14 (.736) in American League East games, while the Orioles are 18-32 (.360) within the division.

You want more evidence that the big, bad Yankees will probably just steamroll their way through Baltimore the next three nights? The Orioles are 2-10 in 2019 against New York and have lost nine straight to the Yankees since they went 2-1 in the opening series of the year at New York.

Surely this series will not go well, right?

Well, that's why they play the games, so we can find out. No way the Orioles are even close to the level of the Yankees or Astros right now. A record of 16-15 over a month would not impress anyone that roots for those clubs.

But these Orioles are playing better and they are doing some nice things. Credit to the coaches, players and manager Brandon Hyde.

But now they face two AL big boys at a time when those clubs are kicking butt and taking names.

One tough, tough stretch has arrived for the Orioles.

Dare you to root for Anthony: Anthony Santander's new fan club seemed to have its first meeting Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards. More than 4,000 youths from the United Kingdom, who were in the region for the World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, were in the crowd, many behind Santander in the left field stands. They strongly cheered his every catch, and he responded by throwing baseballs to them. A love affair took root.

Over 4000 UK Scouts have arrived at Camden Yards for the Baltimore Orioles v Toronto Blue Jays!! Amazing atmosphere as the stadium fills up! #UK24WSJ pic.twitter.com/HbXbW3Tll1

-- UK Contingent (@ukcontingent) August 4, 2019

Hey @roller_mvp, this is your #1 super fan from the UK, Sarah from @WSJ2019Unit68. Thanks for making our day so special @Orioles @masnOrioles https://t.co/qNmHaygrMf pic.twitter.com/rtArCUvpC5

-- UK Contingent (@ukcontingent) August 4, 2019

I want to thank the boys and girls scouts that attended our game today.Interacting with them was an unbelievable experience and something I will never forget.
I hope I get to see them again in the future and wish them safe travels back home you are the best!Go O's! @ukcontingent

-- santander anthony (@roller_mvp) August 4, 2019