Baltimore Orioles and the beast that is the AL East

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Jun 3, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a solo home run in the seventh inning during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Orioles: Third place in AL East, 29-26

The Orioles have struggled with their fair share of injuries as well, although maybe not as much as other teams. Their reason for optimism has to be the fact that Manny Machado has struggled a bit at the plate, particularly in the batting average department. His other offensive numbers aren’t bad, but there is still improvement to be seen from the talented Machado.

Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo also have not gotten hot yet. The Orioles offense is bound to break out at some point this season, hopefully before the All-Star break. The back end of the bullpen has held it together without Zach Britton.

Causes for concern: The rotation is literally in shambles. Dylan Bundy has become a top of the rotation starter, and Wade Miley has been excellent despite not going deep in games. Ubaldo Jimenez has pitched his way out of the rotation. Kevin Gausman has struggled, and each time he seems to put it together he still struggles for parts of the outing.

Alec Asher has been invaluable, but is he a starter in a pennant race? And Chris Tillman, who looked better on Sunday, has been hit around all year so far. If the offensive performance by players expected to carry the team drag out, it would make it hard to overcome.

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