The Orioles head into the weekend with the standings narrowing and the margin for error disappearing fast. After yesterday’s loss, they’re one game back of the final Wild Card spot, and the team holding that place is the one waiting for them in Texas: the Rangers.
That makes this series feel a lot bigger than an ordinary Friday-to-Sunday set. The Orioles already saw the Rangers once earlier this season, when Texas took two of three.
A similar result this time would push Baltimore two games back. A sweep would leave the Orioles four behind, which would be a brutal hit to their chase.
But if Baltimore can win two of three, the two clubs would leave Texas tied.
And there’s no real breather after that. If the Orioles get through this series in decent shape, they’re headed to Minnesota next, where they’ll face the team sitting a half-game ahead of them in the Wild Card race. The Guardians are also a half-game up on Baltimore, which keeps the picture crowded no matter where you look.
The biggest issue, though, keeps showing up in the same place: the offense. The Orioles just are not hitting.
A look at the team’s Baseball Reference page shows only four players in the top section with an OPS+ above 100, the league-average mark: Pete Alonso, Samuel Basallo, Adley Rutschman, and Taylor Ward. Uh…get well soon, Samuel!
Also, Blaze Alexander while we’re at it.
That lack of production was on display again yesterday against Ryan Johnson, a starter with an ERA over 7. Baltimore managed five walks, three hits, and a hit by pitch through the first five innings, but the lineup also grounded into two double plays and had a runner caught stealing.
The Orioles’ only runs came on a home run from Yohel Pozo. So good for him!
Even the two wins over the Angels didn’t come with much offensive comfort. On Tuesday, Baltimore scored just three runs with Grayson Rodriguez on the mound. On Wednesday, the Orioles were still hanging onto a one-run lead until Leody Taveras hit an unlikely home run.
Well, this turned into a downer. They should hire me to be their hitting coach so I can tell them to be better hitters.
David Rubenstein talks Orioles trades, payroll and World Series hopes - The Baltimore Banner
Andy Kostka recounted an event the Orioles’ owner had to promote his new book. This headline had me hoping for answers. I don’t know that I got them.
Orioles offense can’t convert opportunities in 4-1 loss to Angels - MASN Sports
Roch Kubatko’s game story from yesterday’s loss.
Orioles Legend Jim Palmer Tackles a Challenging Career Quiz - FanGraphs
Well know Jim Palmer has an incredible memory. Take a trip down memory lane with him.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday!
You have seven Orioles birthday buddies. That’s a lot!
Gerónimo Gil is 51 years old today. Gil spent five seasons with the Orioles, 2001-05.
He spent that time as a backup catcher, except in 2002 when he got into 125 games.
Also born on this day in history are former Orioles Wade LeBlanc (42), Jason Grimsley (59), Tex Nelson (b. 1936, d. 2011), Don Larsen (b. 1929, d.
2020), Art Houtteman (b. 1927, d. 2003), and Bob Alexander (b. 1922, d. 1993).
On this day in 1964, the Orioles defeated the Yankees 2-0. Steve Barber pitched 6.2 shutout innings and Harvey Haddix finished the game. Brooks Robinson had an RBI single and Jerry Adair hit a home run.
In 1998, the Orioles pounded the Twins 16-9. Brady Anderson had five hits with two doubles and two home runs.
Harold Baines and Cal Ripken also homered. Starter Scott Erickson was knocked out after four innings and seven runs, but that’s ok in this instance.
In 2016, Manny Machado hit three home runs in his first three at-bats in a 10-2 Orioles win over the White Sox. He had three more chances to hit four homers, but went hitless for the rest of the game. He had seven RBI.
In 2019, in the midst of a 14-2 loss to the Yankees, Chris Davis and Brandon Hyde got into a fight in the dugout. It was the most exciting thing that happened for the Orioles in the game.
In Other News...
Orioles Fans Have One Big Question After The Adley Rutschman Trade
The Orioles latest roster shakeup sent a familiar face out of Baltimore, with Boston landing catcher Adley Rutschman in a trade that immediately caught the attention of the division. Rutschman, who is currently injured and still under club control through 2027, had become one of the franchises most recognizable names, so any move involving him was always going to spark questions about where the club goes next behind the plate and how aggressive the front office wanted to be in reworking the roster.
What has the market buzzing is not just the name Baltimore moved, but the cost attached to the deal. An NL scout said he was surprised Boston paid so much despite Rutschmans recent struggles, a reaction that suggests the return may have been steeper than many expected. For Orioles fans, the immediate curiosity is simple: if this is the kind of haul the front office was able to demand, what exactly does it say about the trade market for one of the sports most prominent catchers? [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Prospect Depth Is Giving Fans Another Reason To Pay Attention
The Orioles farm system keeps giving fans something to track, and Wednesdays slate was another reminder that the depth is there beyond the usual headliners. Wehiwa Aloy picked up Orioles Hangout MiLB Player of the Day honors after a huge doubleheader for the Baysox, going 2 for 4 with a pair of home runs, three runs scored, four RBIs and three walks. The rest of the affiliate picture was busy too, with the Baysox sweeping both games behind contributions from Brandon Butterworth, Tavian Josenberger, Frederick Bencosme, Colin Tuft, Enddy Azocar and a run of pitching work from Sebastian Gongora, Christian Herberholz and Braeden Sloan.
Norfolks night was less clean, but even in a 7-6 loss to Buffalo there were reasons to keep an eye on the box score. Reed Trimble and Jud Fabian helped drive the offense, giving the Tides enough production to stay in the game until the end. For an organization that has leaned heavily on player development, it was the kind of day that reinforces why the minors still matter so much in Baltimore: the results were mixed, but the names on the move keep coming. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Are Letting A Bigger Coby Mayo Problem Build
Coby Mayos situation has become one of the more frustrating quiet issues around the Orioles, especially as Mike Elias continues to sort out how the club should balance player development with everyday playing time. Mayo has been productive at the plate, but the bat has not yet translated into a steady run of opportunities, and that leaves Baltimore with a young hitter who is contributing in spurts without any real rhythm to build on.
The roster squeeze only figures to get tighter as injured players start coming back, which is where the Orioles may have to make some uncomfortable decisions. Once Blaze Alexander returns, Elias could be forced into a choice between Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeremiah Jackson, another reminder that the club is running out of easy places to hide its most complicated development questions. [Read more 🡒]