As the Orioles complete their four-game series at Minute Maid Park this afternoon, they hope to avoid being swept in a four-game series for the first time since Sept. 20-23, 2013, a series in Tampa Bay that all but killed their playoff hopes two years ago.
The Orioles have now lost five straight and are a season-worst six games under .500 at 23-29.
We’ve learned two things this series: 1. The Orioles are a flawed team right now. 2. The Houston Astros are for real.
J.J. Hardy will miss his third straight game with discomfort in his left side, but both Hardy and manager Buck Showalter are encouraged that the Orioles shortstop can start in Friday’s series opener in Cleveland.