Nick Markakis, 2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars #81

Despite the horrors of last night's seven-hour, rain-delayed evening at Camden Yards, the Orioles salvaged a split of their four-game series with the Royals with a 5-3 win this afternoon. The O's are still contenders in mid-August, due in large part to the contributions of their new leadoff hitter Nick Markakis. The right fielder homered and doubled today, giving him a slash line of .336/.378/.519 since he assumed the top spot in the batting order on July 13. With 47 games left in the season, the Orioles have 62 wins. They haven't even reached 70 victories over a full season since 2006. It's a different year, all right.