Orioles continue to fight

Baseball Betting Lines

07/31/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Although they are still six games below .500, the Baltimore Orioles are doing whatever they can to stay alive in the American League East. The Orioles currently trail the Boston Red Sox by 14 1/2 games, but have now won six of their last eight games to improve to 49-55 on the season. Baltimore will face an uphill battle the rest of the way, but could be a dangerous team to face in the final months of the season. The Orioles will kick off the month of August with a six-game road trip that will take them to Boston and Tampa Bay. The O's will have to win both of these series if they intend on making any run at the AL Wild Card.

The Orioles are coming off a very successful week, in which they swept the Tampa Devil Rays 3-0, and took two of three from the New York Yankees.

BAEZ RETURNS, RAY GOES ON DL

The Orioles' bullpen has been a source of contention this season, as it has failed to live up to the preseason hype. During the offseason the O's spent a lot of money to bring in former Dodgers reliever Danys Baez. The addition of Baez was supposed to be the final piece to an already stellar bullpen. However, that has not been the case, as the O's bullpen is a combined 12-23 on the season. The bullpen has undergone many changes throughout the season, as 14 different relievers have been given the opportunity to succeed. However, Baltimore has been unable to find the right combination of arms to help improve the play of its bullpen.

Although the Orioles bullpen has underachieved for most of the season, the recent resurgence of Baez is a step in the right direction. The right-hander struggled through the first half of the year, posting an 0-4 record with a 6.52 ERA in his first 31 appearances. In fact Baez was so bad that the O's placed him on the disabled list prior to the All-Star break in order to help him refocus. The move worked, as Baez has allowed just two runs over his last six appearances and has shown signs of his former self.

Baez's recent turnaround could not have come at a better time, as the Orioles were forced to send closer Chris Ray to the disabled list last week. Ray's injury is a crushing blow for Baltimore, as the right-hander had posted 16 saves with a a respectable 5-6 record and a 4.43 ERA in 43 appearances.

MORA'S RETURN IMMINENT

Melvin Mora may be back earlier than expected, as the Orioles are contemplating reactivating the third baseman without a scheduled rehab assignment. Mora has missed the past two weeks with a sprained left foot, but has been battling the injury since the beginning of July. Normally, a player with this type off injury would be given a minor league assignment to help ease him back into the lineup. However, Mora has responded well to rehab and has been pain free for over a week now. He has been able to work out with the team and has not been limited in any way during batting practice.

Although Mora seems ready to play, manager Dave Trembley is taking the necessary precautions to ensure that Mora is not rushed back before his ready.

"We all need to make a decision," said Trembley. "When he comes back, I would hope he comes back 100 percent. Whether he goes out on a rehab [stint] or not, that has yet to be determined...I don't make that call. I believe there is some kind of rule that a guy that has played so long can either accept a rehab assignment or not.

Mora has discussed his return with the trainers and Trembley, but is confident that a minor league assignment is not necessary. The third baseman ensured the coaching staff that the foot injury has not affected his swing and that he is ready to return. However, he is also willing to play a few minor league games if that is what the Orioles decide. Whatever the case, Mora is hoping that when he returns he can improve upon his current .265 batting average.

"I could hit a bloop anyway," he said. "You see people play every day and go 0-for-4. I know when you hurt your hand or your shoulder, it's kind of difficult because you don't know how you're feeling. Timing you get from timing a big-league guy, because you know what they're going to throw you. Sometimes, when you go to the Minor Leagues, it's hard."

INJURY NEWS

Shortstop Miguel Tejada returned to the Orioles lineup for Friday night's game against the Yankees. Tejada had missed five weeks with a broken wrist, halting an amazing 1,152 consecutive game streak. The shortstop struggled in his return, going 0-4 at the plate, but rebounded in Saturday night's win with four RBI. Tejada is confident that he can return as an everyday player. However, Trembley is hoping to use Tejada as both a short stop and a DH until he feels as though he is ready to return.

"Miggy's missed a lot of games," Trembley said. "I know the enthusiasm and the passion that Miggy has [and] I know what kind of shape he's in. I know all those things, but let's bring Miggy along the right way, and let's make sure he can get back to who he was before he was hurt."

WHO'S HOT

Second baseman Brian Roberts continues to put up big numbers, hitting safely in nine of his last 10 games. During that time, Roberts has gone 11-for-39 at the plate with nine RBI and nine runs scored. The second baseman has been the Orioles most consistent hitter this year, batting .316 with 38 RBI and 31 stolen bases.

WHO'S NOT

Starter Steve Trachsel has been awful during the past two months, going 1-4 over his last eight starts. The right-hander has been touched for four or more runs in all but one of those games, and registered more walks (20) than strikeouts (19). On the year Trachsel is a disappointing 5-7 with a 5.26 ERA.

ON DECK

The Orioles will travel to Fenway Park for a three game set against the Boston Red Sox. Erik Bedard (10-4, 3.05) will face off against Josh Beckett (13-4, 3.27) in Tuesday night's opener. Wednesday night's game will feature Trachsel (5-7, 5.26) and lefthander Kason Gabbard (4-0, 3.73). The Orioles have yet to announce their starter for Thursday's finale, but whoever it is will have to face off against Tim Wakefield (12-9, 4.59).