MLB

Baltimore Orioles fans have a lot to be excited about. Their team is just 2.5 games out of first place in the American League East, it just won its second consecutive game against the division-rival New York Yankees in dominating fashion and Chris Davis is doing some ridiculous things at the dish.

After missing the month of June with thoracic outlet syndrome that caused numbness in his pitching hand, Josh Beckett appears headed for the disabled list for the remainder of the season.

There are many ways to show your fandom of anything in this world. Quoting a movie word for word, knowing the complete backstories to every character on your favorite TV sitcom or drama, citing lyrics of a deep cut of your favorite artist, or watching your team’s games even though it has no shot at postseason play.

Boston sports fans coming off their Stanley Cup hangovers are beginning to notice the Red Sox again, and what they are seeing is a team defying all expectations.

In fact, the Sox are on pace for one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in franchise history.

Since his call-up from the minor leagues on June 3, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has set the baseball world on fire with a barrage of big hits, long home runs and laser throws (not to mention a few boneheaded base running mistakes).

It's not even July and already we've seen some prominent players sent down in the Seattle Mariners system. A season that was supposed be one of contention and progress has, thus far, been yet another year of rebuilding and disappointment.

The Mariners are currently 35-45, 12 games back in the American League West. Barring a drastic turnaround, they'll be sellers at the trade deadline, allowing for some young prospects to get a taste of major league action, a process all too familiar among the club and its fans by now.

Rockies win, 2-1.

Colorado continued to lean on the efforts of Michael Cuddyer, who extended his hitting streak to 26 games with a single off of Giants pitcher Matt Cain in the bottom of the first.

Posey evened things up by driving in Marco Scutaro with a double. Otherwise it was a pitcher's ball game heading into the ninth.

Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies and the word “injury” have been used together in the same sentence for more than a year now. 

We've reached the midway point in the 2013 MLB season, and the Baltimore Orioles have provided plenty of intrigue during the first few months.

There have been plenty of surprises (Manny Machado's doubles, Chris Davis' home runs) and just as many disappointments (pitching struggles, injuries) throughout the season so far, as baseball often provides.

Heading into the second half, one interesting thing to keep an eye on will be whether or not players having strong years can keep that going as well as struggling players turning their years around.

I know that I have recently written that Andrew Bailey will get a chance if he starts to pitch well, but Koji Uehara is just phenomenal in the closer's role for the Boston Red Sox.