Baltimore Orioles: First Half in Review

By Ryan Heller
Updated: July 22, 2011

2011 has been a source of frustration for Roberts and the Orioles.

Coming into the season, the Baltimore Orioles had high expectations on getting the team back to a competing level. With all the key moves the Orioles were hoping this would become reality. Let’s take a look back at the Orioles first half of the season.

First off the Orioles started the season fast and hot, as they would go 6-4 in the first ten games of the season. They would soon cool down; they would go 12-13 in the first month of the season. That’s not too bad of a mark, but that needs to be better to compete.

With the start of May, the Orioles were hoping to win some more games and try and climb in the standings. They would finish the month with a 12-16 mark, as they would have a back and forth fight with winning and losing. After 2 months of the season the Orioles had a 24-29 record not too bad, but still needs some fixing.

Just like in the beginning of the season the Orioles would have the same result in their first 10 games of June (6-4). They would start off hot, but that would cool down, as the Orioles would go 11-14 in the month of June. The Orioles would have a record of 35-43 and would be 8 games under 500 heading into July.

The beginning of July was horrible as they would go 1-9 in the last 10 games before the All-Star Break. The Orioles would have an overall record of 36-52 and would be 12 games under 500, which is not good at all.

The record does not show everything, but it shows a lot. The Orioles would have some key injuries to star players like J.J. Hardy, Derrek Lee, and Brian Roberts. The Orioles would get back both Hardy and Lee, but would not get their lead-off man back. This does show a reflection in the record.

As the second half of the season is upon us, the Orioles are 2-3 so far after 5 games of the second half. With a 38-55 record, the Orioles look to get this turned around and start winning some more games.

With the talent the Orioles have and with the help of manager Buck Showalter, the Orioles should be able to fix some stuff and get this season back on track. Not saying the Orioles can get this turned and become a contender this season, but I am saying they can finish with a much better record than they have in the past.

So let’s take a seat and watch what the Orioles can accomplish in the second half of the season.