Baltimore’s lineup has been cold in recent weeks, but the Orioles’ pitching rotation looks poised for a postseason run.

The morning after the Yankees clinched a playoff berth and then celebrated like they’d won the World Series, everyone was preparing for the task at hand, a series finale with the Mariners.

With Wednesday’s loss, the Orioles have now lost eight of their last ten games. After Mike Yastrzemski’s solo home run put the Giants ahead in the top of the first, the Orioles snatched the lead back in their half of the third.

Blame the injuries, inexperience and faulty execution. Blame the weather, traffic, sound system, advertising signs or astrological signs. Whatever suits the narrative. Whatever the imagination allows.