If the first series of the second half is any indication, the Orioles’ abysmal 2018 season is going to get worse before it gets better.

The Orioles kicked off their post-All-Star slate by getting swept in Toronto, reaching the 100-game mark with a 28-72 record. All the Orioles’ usual ways of losing were sprinkled throughout the series — if it wasn’t ineffective starting pitching or an unproductive offense that did them in, it was atrocious defense or a bullpen meltdown.

The Orioles, at least, took a step in the right direction during the All-Star break, officially kicking off their organizational rebuild by trading Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects.

Still, they have 62 more games remaining in 2018, and things could get extremely ugly. The Orioles are on pace for 117 losses, which would tie for the fourth-most in major league history.

How did the Orioles’ 2018 season turn into such a disaster? There’s no single answer to that question, but rather a slew of factors, most of which can be traced back several years. Let’s look at a few.

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