Monday Bird Droppings

As much as it hurts not getting that last game from the dreaded Yankees, way back in March, who would've thought a split of the season series was possible? It feels like every day is gut check time, and while the O's have a brief moment to collect themselves with an off day today, the Rays come to town tomorrow for yet another important series with playoff implications. Can you handle it?

Surgery for Markakis, may cut return to 4 weeks | orioles.com: News Perhaps we'll see the Greek sooner than we thought through the miracle of modern science...we have the technology!

Injuries impacting baseball playoff races – USATODAY.com This matters! To us!

Camden Depot: Did the Orioles Get knocked out of the Playoffs Last Night? From yesterday, a look at hwo the outfield situation adds up.

David Ortiz 'Wouldn't Be Surprised' if Orioles Went On to Win World Series - Boston Red Sox - NESN.com Is this guy trying to throw his bad mojo on the O's or is this an actual compliment?

Steve Melewski: The stretch run arrives with the Orioles so close to making the playoffs "The stretch drive has arrived in major league baseball. Now there are just 22 games left for the Orioles in the 2012 regular season."

On this day in 1902, the Orioles were swept in a doubleheader by the A's with Rube Waddell picking up the win in both games; in 1964, Brooks Robinson hit into two triple plays. Take that, J.J. Hardy!

It's the birthday of Danys Baez, Nick Green and Matt Angle.