The non-mathematical first half concludes today with the possibility that the Orioles will construct their first four-game winning streak of the season.

They got on a roll just in time to shut down.

Being five games below .500 at the break would have seemed disastrous back in spring training. Now, it might create more optimism that they can go on a substantial run, identify as buyers at the deadline and eventually seize a Wild Card spot.

There’s also the reality that the Red Sox remain ahead of them in the standings, winners of eight in a row and set to host a three-game series against the Orioles on July 20-22. And that’s after the Orioles play three games in Houston, where they’ve gone 15-26 all-time.

They return home to face the Braves, hit the road again with a trip to Detroit and host the Phillies.

It won’t be easy. The Orioles have no one else to blame. But they firmly believe that they won’t break and miss out on October baseball.

They filed in the clubhouse last night only two games out of the Wild Card. FanGraphs gives them an 18.1 percent chance to make the postseason.

“I feel like there’s been some really good series we’ve played, some good weeks we’ve played,” said Coby Mayo, whose 440-foot home run struck the facing of the second deck, and was only the second-longest of his career. “At times, we’ve not been able to hold onto that as long as possible. Sometimes, it takes some time, especially this first year with a new team, new manager, new coaches. It does take a little bit of time. But I’m confident in this group that it can put together a really good run.

“With the American League wide open, it takes one good run to be right back where you want to be. We’ve got a lot of games left, and I think there’s absolutely no time to panic. I think this team has not played anywhere close to the best baseball we can, and this is the type of team that can go on a run, especially with the players we have, the camaraderie we’ve got in this clubhouse. We’ve got a really good group. Pitchers are awesome. Position players are awesome. And when you’ve got a good group of coaches, too, you can do really good things.”

The rotation is holding up its end of the bargain. Kyle Bradish pitched like an ace again last night, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

This isn’t the first time that Bradish has been stingy with hits. He tossed seven no-hit innings in Chicago in 2024, allowed one hit against the Rays in the same season, and held the Yankees to one hit over six innings earlier this year. Maybe he’s due to make history.

“He’s incredible,” Mayo said. “I think when he’s commanding that fastball, it sets up everything else, and I don’t know if he threw more fastballs tonight, kind of felt like it, early especially, to set it up later in the game, the off-speed. He has one of the best arsenals in the big leagues, and he’s super nasty.

“Obviously, he had his stuff tonight, and when he’s on, watch out.”

Bradish has posted a 2.12 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in his last five starts since June 17.

“He did a great job making adjustments, like we talked about with the leg kick in his delivery, shortening that up, and being able to just pound the zone efficiently,” said Craig Albernaz. “And not saying trusting his stuff, because he does, but just being more efficient in pounding the strike zone opens up everything, especially with his two breaking balls. He’s doing a great job of mixing in both, not just leaning on one or the other, the curveball or the slider. He’s doing a good job of mixing pitches within his arsenal.”

“I think I’ve made adjustments when I’ve needed to,” Bradish said. “Obviously, the start of the year was not ideal. Had some good ones, had some bad ones, but I think as the year went on, first half went on, consistency got better. I think for my standards, there’s still a lot left on the table. But I think me personally, and as a team, we’re in a good spot.”

*Albernaz got an up-close look at the draft process yesterday, stopping by the “war room” on the eighth floor of the warehouse for Eric Booth Jr.’s selection.

“Never got to experience that,” Albernaz said. “Tried to with the Rays, but I was in extended spring training as a coach. Didn’t really line up with it.

“Everyone’s really excited about the pick. Everything I know about him, he’s a great kid. Really athletic, fast, twitchy. He’s performed wherever he’s went. Great bat-to-ball skills. He works the walks and he plays a really good center field. So it’s a fun pick. I know our (player development) group’s excited to get their hands on him. So yeah, everyone’s really excited.”

Albernaz said the room was filled with employees who were “all suited up.”

“They had a nice little setup in there,” he said. “Obviously, I stood out as I walk in with baseball pants on. Everyone’s giving me crap about that. But it was cool just to see everyone in the org. We had obviously all the scouts and front office members, but then also some people from PD, as well. So it was cool to see everyone in the same room being invested in the future.”

*Pete Alonso hit his 21st home run last night and has reached base in 16 of 17 career games against the Royals.

Alonso is slashing .355/.459/.774 (22-for-62) with five doubles, seven homers, 15 RBIs, 12 walks and 14 runs.

*Taylor Ward drew a walk in his fifth straight game. He has four streaks of at least five consecutive games.

Ward didn’t have that kind of stretch in his first eight major league seasons.