Baltimore Orioles player of the week: More milk please

It was another long week for the Baltimore Orioles. It seemed like the struggles they were having prior to the All-star break were remedied by the layoff as the O's overwhelmed the Texas Rangers to finish off last week, but those struggles returned with a vengeance this week. After nearly being swept by a poor Miami Marlins team, the Birds barely managed to squeak out a win in the finale of the San Diego Padres series. It seems the dog days of summer have hit most of the Orioles hard.

The O's did get several noteworthy performances this week. Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins, two players who might be playing their last games with the Birds, both put up solid numbers. Mountcastle had seven RBI's for the week and Mullins added six RBI's and a highlight reel theft of an extra base hit from former Orioles teammate Manny Machado. But neither of them could claim the Orioles player of the week.

That honor goes to nonother than the Milkman, Colton Cowser. Cowser has been the most consistent player on an Orioles team that is struggling to find some consistency. He has at least one hit in all nine games since the All-star break. He was rewarded for his efforts in Sunday's game by being moved into the leadoff spot of Brandon Hyde's lineup. This week Cowser combined to go 8-24 with a double and a homer and, scoring five runs while driving in seven.

This marks Cowser's second player of the week award after he won the second award of the season in his breakout rookie campaign. Cowser has been a key player for the Orioles who despite their recent slide, remain in first place in the AL East. The Birds showed just how much faith they have in the budding superstar by trading away Austin Hays in a move that solidifies Cowser as an everyday starter.

With his added opportunities, Cowser is now being ranked as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year in the American League. If he can continue at this pace it would give the O's a second consecutive Rookie of the Year winner. A feat that was last accomplished by the 2016-17 Los Angeles Dodgers. The Orioles are going to need him to continue to perform at a high level both with the bat and in the field if they want to make a run to the World Series.