Should O's attention turn more toward the wild card race?

With the Minnesota Twins' loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon, the Orioles could move within a game of the second American League wild card spot if they win tonight against Atlanta.

Should their focus turn more in that direction now rather than focusing on chasing the Yankees, who lead the AL East by seven games?

"I think our focus needs to be on just winning as many games as we can," shortstop J.J. Hardy said in response to that question this afternoon. "Not worrying about where we stand anywhere. Take care of what we can take care of and see where we are at the end."

Hardy said the Orioles' experience of two playoff appearances in the last three years could help them as they try to turn a four-game winning streak into something bigger.

"Yeah, a lot of us have been to the postseason and know what it takes. That experience is much better to have than not have," he said.

The Orioles' clubhouse vibe never seems to change. It always a place where players are never too high when winning or get down when losing. Hardy thinks keeping things more even keel serves the team well.

"Yeah, I think so," he said. "There are enough ups and downs in a 162-game season, so if you can keep one thing consistent - that being chemistry within the clubhouse - that definitely helps. I don't think we've had any problems in the clubhouse, it's always been really good."

The players are getting a steady stream of questions about the approach of Friday's non-waiver trading deadline. They keep providing a similar answer in that they can't worry about it too much.

"No different (in here)," Hardy said. "I don't think anyone is really talking about it or worrying about it."

When they lost 15 of 20, some analysts - and maybe even some fans - wrote the Orioles off for the 2015 season. There are still 63 games to go in the season. Hardy doesn't pay attention to the pundits, no matter their opinion.

"I can only speak for myself. I don't read or listen to what everyone says. I don't know about the other guys here but it's no factor for me," he said.