The 2012 Orioles (through May 8) just suffered their third straight bad pitching start (Hunter, Matusz, Arrieta) surrendering 30 runs in the process. No surprise that it happened when it did. They left Boston with the best record in MLB, lowest team ERA in AL, and ranked No. 1 in the latest MLB.com power rankings. This team/organization has become famous for 'choking' when it receives national attention with expectations raised way too high. The annual collapse/decline certainly appears imminent.

BUT there is still hope on a realistic level, the three starters who choked this time were all members of last year's edition. They were already 'infected' by the loser mentality - i.e., cannot handle the pressure of winning. The next two starters (Chen, Hammel) are new both to the team and to the AL. Neither has YET to succumb to the annual tradition. Neither has suffered a really bad outing. So they are both in a position to 'stem the tide', to resist the current trend and thereby, at least, delay the annual collapse.

It is not necessary that the the Orioles win their next two games against Texas. But it is CRUCIAL that they get quality starts from BOTH Chen and Hammel. Otherwise, the team's confidence will be permanently damaged and they will be unable to avoid a 15th straight losing season.

The ultimate problem with the Orioles is not their pitching rotation as much as it is the great void inside their clubhouse. NO LEADERSHIP to be found there.

CC

P.S. Have not yet followed up on tonight's game (May 9).