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Baseball is a crazy game, Chapter 1,462:

Needing to add two starting pitchers in the offseason, Orioles co-general managers Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan failed to land even one. Yet, in the opinion of one scout who spent the first month tracking the American League East, the Orioles--not the Red Sox or the Yankees--are the division's best team.

"If Beattie and Flanagan don't get a pitcher before the trade deadline, they ought to be ashamed of themselves," the scout says. "They might have to overpay, but they've got to do it. They've got a chance to do something big."

Surprising words, considering the Orioles are coming off seven straight losing seasons and an off-season in which their only major acquisition was right fielder Sammy Sosa. But the Yankees' and Red Sox's early struggles have created an opening. The Orioles are a combined 7-3 against those teams.

"I like them a lot," an A.L.G.M. says. "(Rodrigo) Lopez and (Erik) Bedard are very underrated--a legitimate top-of-the-rotation pair. Their bullpen is quite usable, with solid matchup guys from both sides plus an excellent closer in (B.J.) Ryan. The offense, defense and baserunning are pluses"

Adds Yankees manager Joe Torre: "They're going to score runs, no doubt. If you make a couple of mistakes, they're going to come at you and never stop. They don't need to be picture-perfect, pitchingwise. If they can pitch with any kind of consistency, they're not going to go away."

A big if, but pitching coach Ray Miller is working wonders, and the Orioles are certain to continue their pursuit of a top-of-the-rotation starter. They can offer first baseman Jay Gibbons and reliever Jorge Julio, and they have prospects to spare. But their options could be limited, in part because of the game's increased parity. Most of the top eligible free agents pitch for contenders.

Then again, several expected buyers might turn into sellers, creating unanticipated opportunities.

The Orioles are on top. The world is upside-down.

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