What went wrong and what awaits them tonight

ARLINGTON, Texas - If being swept by the Twins in a four-game home series was hitting rock bottom, how do you label a 1-6 road trip that followed it?

The Orioles can't generate any offense unless it's confined to one inning. The rotation hasn't come close to duplicating last year's production, and Bud Norris isn't the only culprit, though going from 15 wins and a 3.65 ERA to only two wins and a 7.06 ERA was killer.

Starters posted a 3.61 ERA last season that ranked 12th in the majors. They've posted a 4.42 ERA this season that ranks 25th.

I don't make the decisions or sign the checks, but I'd be all-in for a starting pitcher this winter. I'd make such a spirited run at David Price that he'd be tempted to get a restraining order.

I know that runs have been scarce, but I'll repeat that it all starts with starting pitching and I'm not expecting Wei-Yin Chen to re-sign with the Orioles. This team seems to fall behind early every night. It needs a stud at the top of the rotation to pair with Chris Tillman, who's 3-2 with a 2.96 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break.

Re-sign Gerardo Parra or you're going to spend the entire winter looking for that exact same player. Also, build a time machine and offer Nelson Cruz that fourth year.

The Orioles have scored three runs or fewer in 10 of their last 11 games and 11 of 13. They've totaled three or fewer in 60 of their 130 games this season. It happened in 72 of 162 games last season.

The Orioles are 7-5 against the Rays this season. They still have three games against them at Camden Yards starting today and four at Tropicana Field on Sept. 17-20.

Can't miss them if they won't go away.

Wei-Yin Chen is making his fifth start against the Rays this season. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings on April 7, two runs and seven hits in six innings on May 3, three runs and five hits in seven innings on May 30, and two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings on June 26.

Chen is 3-0 with a 2.90 ERA in five starts this month after going 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA in six starts in July. He's 4-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 17 career starts against the Rays.

Daniel Nava is 7-for-16 with a home run against Chen, Logan Forsythe is 7-for-22 with a double and three home runs, Brandon Guyer is 5-for-16 with three doubles, James Loney is 6-for-19 with two doubles and a home run, Evan Longoria is 9-for-31 with three doubles and a home run, Kevin Kiermaier is 4-for-9 with a triple and home run, and Asdrubal Cabrera is 0-for-11.

The Orioles can get reacquainted with catcher J.P. Arencibia, who's back in the majors. He's 2-for-2 against Chen.

Chris Archer provides the latest challenge to the Orioles' offense. He's 11-10 with a 2.88 ERA in 27 starts this season. However, he's 1-4 with a 5.06 ERA in eight games (seven starts) against the Orioles and 0-2 with an 8.31 ERA in two games (one start) at Camden Yards.

Archer has faced the Orioles three times this season. He allowed three earned runs (four total) and six hits in 5 2/3 innings on April 6, four runs and six hits in six innings on May 2, and one run and five hits with nine strikeouts over six innings on July 24.

Steve Pearce is 3-for-8 with a double and two home runs versus Archer, Manny Machado is 6-for-16, Chris Davis is 4-for-10, Ryan Flaherty is 5-for-14 with two doubles, Matt Wieters is 4-for-12, Caleb Joseph is 2-for-6 with a double and home run, and Adam Jones is 2-for-20.

Facing a right-hander will bring more changes to the Orioles lineup. Flaherty will replace Paul Janish at shortstop. Gerardo Parra will return to the outfield. Steve Clevenger might serve as the designated hitter, as he did against right-handers before going on paternity leave.

Does manager Buck Showalter continue to start Dariel Alvarez in right field. Alvarez has three hits in the last two games and the Orioles may want to take an extended look at him. They already know about the arm, which definitely works in right field.