The Second Half is Upon Us...

The second half of the season for the Baltimore Orioles kicks off today as they head out to the Windy City to face the White Sox, but right now, we are in the All-Star break.

That being said, the Orioles are 40-48, and miles away from contending. As fans, what do we expect from Baltimore in the second half? Another second half swoon? Who stays, who goes? Who do you want to see come up from the minors (Tillman, Arrieta)? Does Trembley stick around for 2010?

Finally, do you like the job Andy MacPhail has done so far? Well, in my opinion, the Orioles are exactly where they should be; however, some guys have been pulling their weight, and some have really not.

I'm still all for Andy MacPhail's plan -- the organization is a lot better from the top of the bottom, the young talent are finally getting their due, and the Orioles are staying away from costly motakes (big contracts to guys over the hill) that would cripple them for years to come.

We start the second half off away from the comfy confines of Camden Yards against the White Sox, then the Yankees, and the road trip ends in Baltimore's personal hell -- Boston. How the Orioles finish this trip will say a lot about how the team will finish in 2008 and should tell us if reinforcements are needed from the farm. So, far with the Orioles there a some positives, and negatives.

Positives: Right now, Adam Jones is having himself a solid year (although I think he's regressed some from his blistering start), Luke Scott is hitting like an All-Star at the plate, Bergesen is getting guys out, and the duo of Jim Johnson along with George Sherrill are closing out games.

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