Orioles Game 100 Game Thread: vs. Rockies, 7:05

Real talk: The heart of the Orioles lineup has been more of a myocardial infarction since the All-Star Break. Chris Davis is working on that 0-24 slump and counting. Manny Machado has only a .692 OPS since the break. Mark Trumbo is even worse at a .591 OPS since the break.

And yet, the Orioles remain in first place. They have lost some games but not so many that their competition's been able to stay ahead of them. The O's fell out of first place for a brief period, sure, but now they're back on top and both the Red Sox and Blue Jays have already lost games on Wednesday. The O's just need to win a series against the Rockies, at home, to pick up a game on their rivals.

So far, whenever they've encountered tough times, they've ridden them out and gotten back to winning. Sometimes they even keep winning during the tough times. Despite those assorted slumps, the O's are 7-5 after the All-Star break and they even have the best record in the American League. Really, it's true! So maybe tonight they can pad that lead.

The offense will have to try to get things going against Rockies starter Jon Gray, who has struck out an impressive 111 batters in 102.2 innings this season. After the last two games, maybe you'll be glad the Orioles aren't facing a 5+ ERA pitcher. Gray sits at a 4.12 ERA. He is not bad enough to look like the kind of pitcher who inexplicably dominates the O's.

Oh, and Dylan Bundy's starting for the Orioles. Think he can go more than five innings tonight?