With the Orioles losing two out of three to Boston to conclude a 4-2 road trip coming out of the All-Star break, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Given the latest injury absences and how blistering hot the Red Sox are, losing two out of three wasn’t disastrous for the Orioles. However, the opener was a winnable game, and this club can’t afford to settle back into mediocrity after the seven-game winning streak gave them pre-deadline hope.
2. Poor defense cost them Monday’s game and continues to be one of the biggest reasons why confidence remains low in Baltimore’s ability to sustain a wild-card run over the final two months, let alone make real noise in an October setting. Defense must become a bigger priority for this organization.
3. The Orioles haven’t been particularly good even with Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo, so being without baseball’s top catching duo for at least the next week is concerning. You hope the IL moves are more proactive than long-term concerns, but wrist and shoulder injuries can linger for hitters and catchers.
4. In the aftermath of agreeing to a five-year, $90 million extension and having an 11-day layoff, Kyle Bradish showed little rust over six innings of one-run ball to help salvage the finale. Five of his nine whiffs came on the curveball, which has been pivotal in reversing his slow start.
5. After being pushed back, one wondered whether Bradish might be on a stricter pitch limit, but he threw 89, which was just below his season average. Bradish’s 113 1/3 innings are already more than he threw the previous two years combined including his rehab outings. That’s something to monitor.
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6. Especially with Rutschman, Basallo, and Blaze Alexander sidelined, there’s no better time than now for Gunnar Henderson to finally come alive and stay that way at the plate. His part in Monday’s defensive debacle aside, it was an encouraging series for Henderson with four extra-base hits — all against left-handed pitching.
7. Any club hoping to make a run needs some unexpected contributions along the way, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand homered twice and drove in four over the three-game set. Decent defense at third base alone will provide him chances when considering Coby Mayo’s limitations.
8. Though regrouping enough to get through six innings in the opener of a twin bill, Dean Kremer didn’t give his club much of a chance allowing four in the first inning. In contrast, Baltimore set the tone with a four-run first in the nightcap, and Bradish took complete advantage.
9. Sam Huff has struck out 18 times in 32 plate appearances this season. No one is expecting much at the plate from the catchers replacing Rutschman and Basallo, but it doesn’t get uglier than that. For what it’s worth, Creed Willems has solid numbers at the plate for Norfolk.
10. The series finale felt critical if the Orioles wanted to maintain any of the vibes from the winning streak, and they fielded a lineup including Encarnacion-Strand, Johnathan Rodriguez, and Chadwick Tromp. Go figure with none of these guys even being with the organization on Opening Day.
11. The Orioles won’t play another division game until Aug. 14, but a 12-17 record against the AL East isn’t going to cut it, especially when three of those division foes currently occupy playoff spots. Baltimore is 3-5-1 in division series this season.
12. The Red Sox were 11 games under .500 on July 1. The Orioles fell a season-worst nine games below .500 on July 8. The pressing question is whether a team avoids running out of gas after making such a run. There’s more evidence arguing against these clubs than for them.
