So, is it still not a probability the Orioles make the playoffs, or are we supposed to think they can?

Over the course of two good weeks, Mike Elias went from downplaying the Orioles' playoff chances to touting them. That makes the rest of the season fascinating for a lot of reasons.

Somewhere between a dozen and fifty times last summer, I had the occasion to write that an Orioles loss was a candidate for the worst of the season, albeit with stiff competition. Never were there true stakes, though, which makes coming within minutes of having a perfect game pitched against you against fellow Wild Card aspirant a couple hours after the head of baseball operations went on MLB Network Radio and said he thinks the team is going to make the playoffs its own entrant into this season’s category.

Playoff teams lose games, too. But this one, stretched onto the three of four lost on this road trip with three games in Toronto looming, are the kind that show the tenuous position of the 59-55 Orioles. Every game they win only keeps them on an improbable pace, never bringing them much closer to their goals. Every loss comes with the twinge of regret for believing they might win in the first place.

Which brings us to Mike Elias’ about-face on the Orioles’ playoff chances this month.

Grant Paulsen @granthpaulsen

Talking with O's GM Mike Elias on @MLBNetworkRadio with @JimBowdenGM, on selling: "These decisions are always difficult.. I think we're going to get into the playoffs. But we got to this point by being strategic & big picture." Made it clear they were not going to abandon plan.