Weekend series: Orioles and Yankees

It would not be an upset ranking on the level of Super Bowl III, but the odds seem long that the Orioles actually win the series this weekend in New York. For one, two wins would not get it done, they'd need to take three of four. For two, the Orioles are playing so poorly right now. They are 0-7-1 in their last eight series and have lost 10 straight road series dating back to mid-May, with a road record of 6-23 in that time. For three, the Yankees have one of the best home records in the league at 34-21 and they are 17-5 in their past 22 home games. For four, the Orioles are 0-6 on the year against New York and 7-30 in the last 37 games between these teams. Yes, it could be a long weekend in the Bronx. The Orioles have been outscored 51-18 in their six games this season. New York has 32 extra-base hits in those games to the Orioles' 15. The Orioles bat .234 against the Yankees on the year with a team ERA of 7.01. New York is 61-41 on the season and is 8-6 since the All-Star break. The Yankees have one of the best records in MLB since May 17 at 41-22. The Orioles are 5-8 in the second half and 12-26 on the season against the AL East. Updating Orioles' hitters: Adam Jones: Is 9-for-20 during a five-game hitting streak. Since the break, in 13 games, is batting .340 (17-for-50) with five homers and 13 RBIs. Vlad Guerrero: Went 3-for-13 with a solo homer in the Toronto series. J.J. Hardy: Went 5-for-14 at Toronto with four homers and six RBIs. Has hit eight homers in his last 26 games and 16 in the last 48. Derrek Lee: Batting .300 (15-for-50) in the second half with two homers and 11 RBIs. Over his last 18 games, has hit five homers with 17 RBIs. Nick Markakis: Is 5-for-32 (.156) over his last eight games. Matt Wieters: Is 2-for-24 (.083) over his last six games. Mark Reynolds: Is 2-for-23 (.087) over his past seven games.