Blame the injuries, the inexperience, the poor execution. Blame the weather, the traffic, the sound system, the advertising signs, the zodiac signs. Whatever fits the narrative. Whatever the imagination allows.

Be sure to also mention that the Orioles set the bar too high and too quickly.

They went from 83 wins in 2022 to 101 and a division title. They've braced themselves for setbacks and criticism. Fans are demanding heads roll because their favorite team isn't getting one.

No one in their right mind expected 102 or more wins this season, but playing under .500 since the All-Star break was not on the agenda. And rock bottom continues to move. An 8-1 loss to the historically weak White Sox was supposed to be the end until the Tigers held them hitless for 8 2/3 innings after an opening inning. Until the Orioles responded to Mike Elias' encouraging words and optimistic tone on Tuesday afternoon by allowing just one hit in six innings against the Giants' Blake Snell, allowing six runs in the ninth inning and losing 10-0.

The Yankees, meanwhile, beat the Mariners in Seattle to extend their lead in the division race to four games. It's now five. The Orioles are choking on fumes, but they can get healthy this month and still make a splash in the postseason.

The roster is flawed until the return of Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías, who begin their rehab duties tonight at Triple-A Norfolk.

“I hope it goes well,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “I'm happy to see them go out. Mounty (Ryan Mountcastle) isn't that far away either. But Westy hasn't played in a while, Ramón less so. It's going to come down to batting opportunities for these guys. But I'm encouraged to see them go out.”

The Orioles need right-handed center fielders and some options for the corners. Players with varying lengths of track record are stuck in slumps. Elite young talent is battling at the highest level of baseball and is still learning how to attack major league pitchers and deal with adversity they haven't experienced as professionals.

Hyde keeps playing matchups that often work well for him, but replacing one weak hitter with another is not a recipe for success. Ryan O'Hearn was 6-for-43 at bats this month when he came off the bench and retired on Tuesday night. Jackson Holliday, who had a .169 batting average and .518 OPS, batted for Coby Mayo, who was 3-for-37 at bats and retired.

Holliday missed three games in a row, so Livan Soto came in. Soto is an excellent second baseman, but is expected to take on an all-around role temporarily.

Any injuries serve as an explanation rather than an excuse. It works either way. You can't downplay the impact of losing Westburg, Urías, Mountcastle, Kyle Bradish, John Means, Tyler Wells, Grayson Rodriguez and Danny Coulombe. Jorge Mateo would be useful with his speed and defense. And yes, his right-handed bat, even if it's getting softer.

The squad has been torn apart. That is simply a fact. Hyde may be criticized, but he is a much better manager when the group is intact. That is also a fact.

Hyde can't count on Rodriguez to get back into the rotation for the final stretch and the playoffs. Bullpen sessions won't get him any closer to that goal. But he's an improvement no matter how he's used. And Dean Kremer in the second half, joining Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin, gives the Orioles a real chance. It all starts with pitching.

Albert Suárez could strengthen the bullpen by stepping back into that role. Coulombe is one of the best relievers in baseball. Jacob Webb has returned. The decision will be made in October, and there are no dominant teams in baseball. They all have their weaknesses. Some are simply better protected than others.

“It's going to be great,” McCann said of Coulombe. “Getting Webby back a couple of days ago was great. Getting Danny back is one of those guys that can come in in the sixth inning and get you out of a tight spot, or he can pitch in the ninth inning, and having guys like that in the bullpen definitely helps shorten the game.”

“To be able to put Danny in here is going to be great for us, it's going to be huge for us,” reliever Yennier Cano said through interpreter Brandon Quinones. “He's been one of our best pitchers this season, and when the playoffs come around, it can move quickly and things happen so quickly, but having another guy that can get the job done and do it at a high level is going to be great for us.”

FanGraphs put the Orioles' chances of making the playoffs at 100 percent earlier this month, which is silly if it isn't mathematically backed up. There has to be some wiggle room. While fans were squirming, the odds dropped to 99.1 percent yesterday.

It's still expected to happen. The Orioles will finish the regular season in Minnesota and prepare for their next opponent, perhaps without the break that gave them the division win and that they lamented at practice at Camden Yards last October as if they had foreseen their demise.

An excuse or an explanation. Whatever it was, the Rangers swept the Orioles in the Division Series.

Burnes and Eflin were traded to extend the playoff run. The same goes for Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto for the bullpen. Experienced hitters should be immune to long slumps. Young hitters with tremendous potential should take the next step.

It should not lead the team to a different exit.

There's still time to right the ship, which has been rocked, with nine losses in its last 12 games and a 26-30 second-half record, but it needs to happen immediately. Otherwise, fans may have to turn their attention to the Ravens.

Oh.