Can the reeling Orioles avoid a sweep? (and other notes)

CLEVELAND - Having lost another series over the weekend, the Orioles can hope only to salvage a game tonight on ESPN and try to convince the world that the wild card remains within their reach.

It feels like one. A reach. But the math says it's still a possibility.

Let the math play the Yankees and Indians. See how it feels.

No one is quitting in the Orioles' clubhouse, but they know exactly what they're up against. No one is delusional. This was a huge series, same as the last one against the Yankees at Camden Yards, and they've lost four of their last five games.

Seven consecutive victories led us to believe that the Orioles were ready to make their run. I'm sure that's how they viewed it. But the rotation continues to serve as their anchor.

I understand that the offense has manufactured three runs in the last three games, but it simply illustrates that other teams can crank out ace-like material and the Orioles are scrambling for starters. Gabriel Ynoa had his moments yesterday, retiring the first seven batters he faced, but if he's your best option on Sept. 9 and receiving his first start in 2017, there's a serious issue here.

I'll steal manager Buck Showalter's line: If not him, then who?

Jeremy Hellickson gets another chance tonight and he's registered a 6.87 ERA in seven starts with the Orioles. He's allowed 10 earned runs and 12 total in his last two outings over seven innings.

Hellickson is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four career starts against the Indians. Edwin Encarnacion is 10-for-37 (.270) with three doubles and two home runs.

The Indians never let up. They're countering with Trevor Bauer, who's 15-8 with a 4.39 ERA in 28 games. He was 5-0 with a 2.31 ERA in seven appearances (six starts) in August and began September by holding the White Sox to two runs and three hits with one walk and nine strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings.

Bauer is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.641 WHIP in four career starts against the Orioles, with 16 runs and 25 hits in 21 1/3 innings. Manny Machado is 6-for-9 with a double and three home runs. Mark Trumbo is 3-for-8 with a home run.

* Trumbo's most recent home run, on Tuesday against the Yankees' CC Sabathia, also was the 200th of his career. Games aren't halted on these occasions, but it's a nice milestone.

"Yeah, I'm happy with it," he said. "You do have to have some, I guess, good luck on your side to be able to play long enough to get to where I'm at. Some seasons have been better than others, but it's something to be proud of."

Trumbo has hit 22 home runs in 131 games, matching his 2015 total, after leading the majors with 47 last season.

"I generally just try to approach each season with the mindset that I'm going to do the very best that I can," he said. "Hitting home runs is something I do and I've always done. Some years have been more than others. Sometimes, a lot more than others. But it's something I take a lot of pride in. Getting to 200 is a nice, round number. Hopefully, there's a lot more to come."

* It probably won't change, but I'm in favor of Major League Baseball adjusting its September rules regarding expanded rosters. The game is altered too dramatically.

Twelve relievers negate late-inning bench moves, as Showalter has pointed out. Every move has a counter move. He tries to take advantage on his end, of course, but it's silly to basically create a different sport over the final month of the season.

I'm totally in favor of teams calling up as many players as they want, but only having the freedom to keep 25 or 26 active for each game or series. Choose from the pool.

Showalter is on board with it. But I suppose it makes too much sense.

* Left-hander Richard Bleier has been one of the more pleasant surprises this season with a 1.95 ERA in 48 relief appearances. He's the top non-closing left-hander in the bullpen.

Bleier is averaging only 3.6 strikeouts per nine innings, so he's going to put the ball in play.

He's also getting outs.

One area that needs improvement is his fielding. Bleier can be slow to cover first base because of his delivery, and he didn't get to home plate Friday night on a wild pitch, leaving Caleb Joseph without a play as Francisco Lindor scored.

The Orioles will continue to work with Bleier while appreciating what he's done out of the 'pen.

* There's some disappointment in the organization over Alec Asher's poor performance Friday night in Double-A Bowie's playoff game against Altoona.

Asher replaced Tanner Scott with the bases loaded in the third inning and let two inherited runners score. He also was charged with three of his own in 1 2/3 innings.

The Orioles optioned Asher on Sept. 3 and the move backfired for the Baysox.

Depending on moves made over the winter, Asher could compete for a spot in the rotation or sit firmly on the 40-man roster bubble.

Altoona completed its sweep of the Baysox last night.