The Baltimore Orioles are now tied for the dubious honor of the fourth-longest playoff losing streak in MLB history, following yet another series where their offense seemed to find a way to make even six hits feel like a record low.

With a staggering ten-game playoff losing streak that echoes the futility of past October campaigns, the Orioles are beginning to redefine 'opportunity squandered,' as evidenced by their recent series against the Kansas City Royals. Despite impressive pitching performances, the team showcased an alarming talent for offensive impatience, leaving fans questioning whether they'd do better investing in a magic 8-ball than their current lineup. And as the offseason approaches, it'll be time for the Orioles to figure out if their playoff woes are a talent gap, a lack of patience, or just a very long, cruel cosmic joke.

In what can only be described as a master class in how to lose gracefully, the Orioles have tied their losing streak to the likes of storied franchises that just weren't good enough to make it through October. They now find themselves shackled to a ten-year streak of playoff losses that hasn't spared them the embarrassment of being beaten by the same mistakes year after year—including a charming sweep in the 2014 ALCS and a quick exit in the 2016 Wild Card game.

During their latest elimination series against the Kansas City Royals, the Orioles clearly demonstrated they had the pitching down to a fine art, but when it came to batting, the team opted for a performance closer to interpretative dance. They managed just six hits in the decisive game, raising fundamental questions about whether they were trying to play baseball or attempting to create a new art movement.

Perhaps the most strikingly less-than-striking moment came courtesy of rookie Colton Cowser, whose decision-making ability at the plate became a point of concern. Instead of delivering a clutch hit with the bases loaded, Cowser chose to strike out, resulting in a facepalm moment for fans and causing some to wonder if the 'B' in ‘Baltimore’ stood for ‘baffling.’ It would seem patience at the plate is not a skill that translates easily from the minors to the playoffs.

Manager Brandon Hyde voiced his disappointment, presumably while eyeing a nearby cake left over from the celebration of making the playoffs in the first place. While the pitching staff shone throughout the series, Hyde’s words hinted that success isn’t just about strong arms but also involves unique talents known as 'hitting' and 'scoring runs,' concepts that were noticeably absent when it mattered most.

As the echoes of vitality departed this playoff season, key players such as Adley Rutschman and Anthony Santander appeared to have taken an early vacation, with Rutschman finishing a woeful 2 for 20 at the plate. This has resulted in a growing consensus that those who booked a suite for October are likely re-evaluating their travel plans for next year.

Despite the collective struggles of the lineup, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Cedric Mullins made his mark with a game-tying home run in Game 2, leaving fans with the briefest glimmer of hope before the Orioles rearranged the furniture on the Titanic and went down with the ship. It's evident that while Mullins had his moments, stellar performances will need to happen more frequently—and not just during warm-ups—if the Orioles are to shatter this illustrious losing streak.

Looking ahead, the offseason promises to provide plenty of interesting conversations. Front office discussions will likely involve untangling the roster situation and addressing potential free agency drama surrounding Santander. With ten years of playoff losses under their belt, the team has enough data to determine whether the problem lies within the roster, coaching, or possibly the Bermuda Triangle.

As the team gears up to analyze the past decade’s worth of postseason misadventures, one can only wonder if they’ll discover the elusive key to winning in the playoffs or if they’ll simply create an extended Netflix series called, "As the Orioles Lose." Fans, however, are already planning their unique way to celebrate what might end up being a historical 11th loss party, with plans circulating for a confetti drop featuring miniature baseball bats and free therapy sessions.

Therefore, while the season ends with the usual lament of 'Wait 'til next year,' one thing is certain: If there's any team that could truly make a comeback, they might be better off throwing a dance party—one that acknowledges the lost opportunities and laughs in the face of their playoff shortcomings. Who knows? They may even discover a way to hit—much like their friends in the art world have found ways to express themselves without the hassle of scoring runs.