These O's stats are not pretty right now

Well, this morning, there is not too much to be cheerful about or encouraged about for the Orioles. It's been a disappointing series against Tampa Bay, one where they had a chance to gain ground on a key rival and make progress toward a playoff berth, but they have not. Check out these numbers: * The Orioles are now 5-9 against Tampa Bay, including a 2-6 mark at home. They have lost seven of the last eight meetings this year between the teams and should they lose tonight, they would be swept twice this season at home by the Rays. * The Rays, meanwhile, have won six of seven since a six-game losing streak. They are 15-4 in their last 19 AL East games and they are a MLB-best 31-13 since June 29. * The loss on Monday gave the Orioles six straight losses in one-run games and they are 1-8 in their last nine one-run decisions. * The Orioles are 20-22 since July 1 and are now 14-15 since the All-Star break. * The O's are 24-25 against the AL East after going 43-29 within the division last season. * After they went 4-5 on their last homestand, the O's are now 2-3 on this current nine-game homestand. Yikes, that is a load of depressing numbers. Does it mean this team can't make the playoffs? No, not at all. Does it mean it doesn't look real good right now? Yes, it does. Whether it is an inability to win at home lately, in the division or in the second half, the Orioles just don't have the look of a playoff team right now. The good news is they play Tampa Bay, Oakland, Boston and New York coming up. They have more chances to pin losses on some teams they are directly competing with for postseason spots. But can this team still turn it around and make a playoff run in 2013? What will it take for that to happen? Is this series the low point of the season so far? Harvey looked good in Aberdeen: While the Orioles were losing last night, I was at Ripken Stadium watching first round pick Hunter Harvey make a strong debut for Aberdeen. Click here to check out how very impressed his manager was after that outing.