The Orioles have experienced just the opposite of a "June swoon" this month, and their resurgence after an injury-marred spring could not have come at a more pivotal time in the American League East.
The entire division has experienced a dramatic competitive turnaround since June 1, which means the Orioles would have been left far behind had they not awakened with the 13-4 run that carried them into their current three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Instead, they arrived in Boston as part of a tight pack of four teams that have all played well over the past three weeks and are all probably looking down the road with reason to think they'll be around at the end.