Hello, friends.

A crucial series against the Yankees awaits. The Orioles begin it four games out of the American League East lead. If they were to somehow sweep the series, they'd be only one game out. That would be pretty good. Don't expect that. It's hard to sweep, and the Orioles have made winning a struggle enough lately. Just win series, baby. Take two out of three and move on to the next one. That's what they need to do. Find a way to take two out of three... and then do it for pretty much the rest of the year.

Can it be done? We'll see. Can it be done with the current roster? Now that's the real question. I have my doubts that it can be. I also have my doubts that Dan Duquette will make a meaningful move ahead of the trade deadline. You never know, though. I didn't expect the Andrew Miller thing last year - and by the way, if you didn't see it for yourself, Eduardo Rodriguez got blown up for seven runs in less than two innings against the Angels yesterday.

Around the blogO'sphere

Two Orioles fans have named their kids Camden and Yardley | Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports

I know for a fact there's at least one child of a Camden Chatter who bears the name Camden. Yardley, though? That's a level of dedication beyond which anyone here can boast, I think. Well, congratulations to these O's fans for the additions to their family.

Orioles-Yankees Preview | FOX Sports

Hey, speaking of that crucial Orioles-Yankees series, here's a preview from the people at FOX Sports. Keep an eye on Camden Chat later for our own preview.

Peter Schmuck's Orioles grades for July 20 - Baltimore Sun

Veteran scribe Peter Schmuck offers some grades for the O's from yesterday. It is a photo gallery rather than an article, but that's not Schmuck's fault.

Update From The Orioles Nest With Roch Kubatko " CBS Baltimore

Roch Kubatko popped in with Vinny and Rob on 105.7 recently. If you want to hear what he had to say, this is the place to find it.

School of Roch: This, that and the other

And if you just can't get enough Roch - who ever can, really? - here's his own blog post from yesterday morning, approximately the ten thousandth incarnation of "This, that, and the other." I used the Oxford comma and he didn't. Crazy times.

Cincinnati Reds links - Orioles, Angels tracking Jay Bruce - Red Reporter

Over on our sister Reds blog, a quick rumor that the Orioles have had a scout tracking Jay Bruce. How would you feel about the Orioles getting their hands on a Jay Bruce?

Birthdays and anniversaries

On this day in 1996, the Orioles acquired Eddie Murray from the Indians for Kent Mercker. That was a reunion that was long awaited and, since Murray got to hit his 500th home run here.

We have one current O's birthday today: Happy 30th to Wei-Yin Chen! It's also the 50th birthday of MASN analyst Mike Bordick. I have to say, the fact that Bordick is 50 makes me feel old. Some past Orioles birthdays include Willie Eyre, my childhood favorite Mark Williamson (because he's also named Mark), and the late Moe Drabowsky.

If today is your birthday, happy birthday! You're already off to a good start sharing it with Chen. Some departed souls who had your birthday include: Paul Reuter, founder of Reuters (1819), Ernest Hemingway (1899), Senator Paul Wellstone (1944), and Robin Williams (1951).

Among those still living, you've got Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau (1948), American soccer icon Brandi Chastain (1968), Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitz and The Tantrums (1970), almost-not-Los Angeles Clippers player DeAndre Jordan (1988), and Rory Culkin (1989), brother of Macauley.

On this day in history...

In 356 BC, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesius - one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World - was destroyed by arson.

In 1865, Wild Bill Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt, which is believed to be the first showdown in the west.

In 1925, John T. Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution. He was fined $100. That is about $1,300 in today's money.

In 1944, American forces landed on Guam, beginning the Second Battle of Guam that would last until August 10. 1,783 American lives were lost in the battle.

In 1959, the Boston Red Sox became the last team in MLB to integrate by using Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green as a pinch runner. He played 327 games for the Red Sox over four seasons.

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And that's the way it is in Birdland on July 21 - at least, until something happens later. Have a safe Tuesday!