With the Orioles salvaging a two-game split with Washington after a 7-6 win in 12 innings on Wednesday night, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Brandon Hyde wasn’t going to broadcast a demotion from the closer role for a potential Hall of Famer minutes after Wednesday’s win, but Craig Kimbrel — who hadn’t pitched since Saturday — failed to finish the ninth inning for the fourth time in five appearances. This is becoming a major problem.
2. Last September and last week’s Yankees series provided the blueprint for how to proceed until further notice. Play matchups and use a committee approach at closer, which is how some believe teams should approach the late innings anyway. But Mike Elias needs to expedite efforts to add meaningful bullpen help.
3. Though Kyle Bradish couldn’t command much more than his sinker early in Wednesday’s start, he finished his night by striking out the side in the fifth inning. How he rebounds physically from these outings remains critical for the foreseeable future, but his first two starts have been encouraging.
4. The Orioles stuck with Jorge Mateo last season, and he’s adapted well to second base and a different role a year later. He successfully dropped a bunt in the seventh and was responsible for the winning runs in the 12th. I prefer seeing him over Ramon Urias at this point.
5. Ryan Mountcastle has two career home runs in two plate appearances against former Orioles pitcher Hunter Harvey. That’s no way to treat one of your closest friends. Thursday’s long ball aside, Harvey is the kind of bullpen arm that would be a solid addition for Baltimore.
6. Many assumed the Mitch Garver grand slam surrendered in the AL Division Series would be the final Orioles memory of Jacob Webb, but the 30-year-old right-hander has a 1.65 ERA and is averaging 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings this season. He’s really providing a lift at a time of need.
7. Entering Wednesday in a 4-for-36 slump that included 17 strikeouts, Colton Cowser collected two hits and had some quality at-bats against left-handed pitching. We know it’s a game of adjustments, so you hope that’s a sign of the talented rookie heating up again.
8. Speaking of left-handed pitching, Anthony Santander continues to feast on it as he hit a 109.6-mph laser off Nationals starter Mitchell Parker, who entered the night having not allowed a long ball this season before Santander and Gunnar Henderson victimized him.
9. Cedric Mullins was visibly frustrated after striking out for the third time to finish an 0-for-5 night and drop his average to .200 with a .637 OPS. You obviously love Mullins’ defense, but a platoon with Austin Hays could be in order when the latter returns from the injured list.
10. The lack of run support garnered attention Tuesday, but opponents have now stolen 12 bases against Corbin Burnes, a mark exceeding last year’s total and two-thirds of the way toward his career-worst 18 in 2021. A pitcher better be able to miss plenty of bats for that to be tenable.
11. With Tuesday’s win, Washington went over the .500 mark for the first time since July 1, 2021. The Nationals are getting better, and this was a very competitive series. It’ll be interesting to see where Dave Martinez’s club is when the Orioles host Washington in mid-August.
12. With countless other things to love about the Orioles these days, continuing to hype a regular-season streak of 103 series without being swept rings hollow after last October’s ALDS sweep, but I guess I’m not surprised. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a cloud to yell at.
