During the 2014 season, Drew Forrester and Luke Jones of The D&L Window Tinting Morning Reaction will provide the “9-Game Scorecard” for the Orioles, evaluating the club in nine-game increments in a number of categories and looking ahead to how Baltimore will fare over the next nine games on the schedule.

(Editor’s note: Since this nine-game scorecard officially ended on Saturday night, it does not include the final game of the Astros series, which will be included as part of the next nine-game increment.)

To hear the full explanation of the “Orioles 9-Game Scorecard” during Tuesday’s show, click HERE.

1. Should the Orioles have been better or worse than their 4-5 mark?

Drew: Better

Luke: Better

2. Most Valuable Player/Least Valuable Player

Drew: MVP – Nelson Cruz; LVP – Manny Machado

Luke: MVP – Nelson Cruz; LVP – Chris Davis

3. Biggest surprise

Drew: Chris Davis’ inability to get on a roll offensively

Luke: Chris Davis getting back in a major funk after returning from paternity leave

4. Best thing about the nine-game stretch

Drew: Steve Pearce continuing to contribute whenever called upon

Luke: The starting pitching stabilizing during the Houston series

5. Nine games from now…

Drew: The Orioles will be under the .500 mark

Luke: The Orioles will stand alone in second place in the AL East

6. Record in the next nine games (1-0 at Houston, three at Texas, three with Oakland, two with Boston)

Drew: 4-5

Luke: 6-3

7. Stock rising/falling over the next nine games

Drew: Rising – Bud Norris; Falling – Ubaldo Jimenez

Luke: Rising – Manny Machado; Falling – Nelson Cruz

8. Grading Buck Showalter in games 46-54

Drew: B+

Luke: B-