The Baltimore Orioles are in dire straits, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to turn things around any time soon. One day after being swept out of Anaheim, the Birds are headed north for a showdown with the surprisingly competitve Oakland Athletics.
A year ago, this would have been an even matchup — the teams finished with identical 75-87 records, tying for 12th in the American League. But the franchises have been trending in opposite directions since then, and while the the Orioles are stuck in the mire at 8-23, Oakland is humming along at 15-16.