With the Orioles splitting a four-game set with the first-place Houston Astros over the weekend, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The Friday and Saturday magic was thrilling and provided a struggling club a much-needed exhale, but Sunday’s loss that included two hits dimmed visions of Anthony Santander’s grand slam marking a dramatic turning point. Baltimore must start hitting if it hopes to thrive instead of barely survive down the stretch.
2. Prior to Friday’s eighth inning, the Orioles scored 22 runs and went 34-for-211 (.161) over seven games. After, they plated six and went 9-for-59 (.153) to close the weekend. Baltimore entered Monday 10th in the majors in runs, 23rd in average (.235), and 20th in OPS (.697) in August. Rough.
3. After tossing 10 2/3 scoreless frames over the first three games, the bullpen reverted Sunday with Burch Smith giving up back-to-back homers on breaking balls. When Yennier Cano and Seranthony Dominguez aren’t available, Brandon Hyde is throwing darts aiming for even a lukewarm hand, let alone a hot one.
4. August has been better than July for Adley Rutschman, but the All-Star catcher has performed at a replacement level for two months now. Early this season, he was hitting for power despite not walking. In August, he’s slugging .394 while walking four times in 74 plate appearances. What’s going on?
5. Corbin Burnes must be himself for any shot in October, but his three worst starts of 2024 have come over his last four outings with his ERA climbing from 2.47 to 3.28. He’s struggled, but a .377 batting average on balls in play allowed this month reflects bad luck too.
6. Nobody was suggesting re-signing Santander when he hovered around the Mendoza line on Memorial Day, but he’s put himself in great shape with 38 homers. I’d explore a reasonable extension, especially if that comes with long-term designs of moving him to first base. But is “reasonable” even possible now?
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7. Speaking of first base, Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn have each homered just once and slugged below .365 since the All-Star break. I know some perceive the Orioles being too dependent on the home run, but that’s a concerning power drought from a position typically requiring premium offense.
8. On Monday, Mountcastle was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist sprain that sidelined him for the final three games of the series. I understand waiting a couple days for an elite talent like Gunnar Henderson, but the Orioles play shorthanded too often in these instances.
9. Dean Kremer was struggling and seemingly in danger of losing his rotation spot earlier this month before logging three straight quality starts while others went down with injuries or were demoted. He gave the Orioles a chance Sunday, and that’s what he needs to do the rest of the way.
10. Ramon Urias leads the club with a .500 slugging percentage in August and has done an admirable job filling in for Jordan Westburg, especially factoring Coby Mayo’s struggles in his debut stint. His defense isn’t what it was a couple years ago, but Urias remains dependable with steady playing time.
11. The Orioles last won three in a row with their win over the Yankees entering the All-Star break and the two victories in Arlington to open the second half. They had nine different winning streaks of three or more games in the first half. Tough to gain traction that way.
12. It’s sprint time with Baltimore two back in the loss column with 30 games to play. Westburg, Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Danny Coulombe, and Jacob Webb are expected back in the coming weeks, so there’s definitely potential upside to add, no matter how unsettling the vibes have felt lately.
