Baltimore Orioles: Is perfection the enemy of success?

The good news for the Baltimore Orioles is that New York is losing to Tampa. The bad news of course is that behind starter Al Suarez, they were blanked by the Chicago Cubs, this while being swept. Suarez’s line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

There’s nothing the Orioles could do tonight and in this entire series that was going to work. And Chicago could do no wrong. I would reiterate that this sort of thing can happen to the best teams. During darker years, even facelsss Orioles teams had sweeps and great stretches.

Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI-double by Suzuki. Two innings later they put up three more, this on three doubles in a row. those were by Busch and Suzuki, giving Chicago a 4-0 lead.

Swanson would smack a solo homer in the sixth, and Chicago would put up three more in the seventh. Swanson and Busch were the two guys who did the most damage to the Orioles this series. That’s striking to me.

Busch at least is hitting .278. Swanson is hitting at a .209 clip. However they both were adamant about making an impact on this series and this game tonight.

The Orioles operate best when they’re tearing the cover off the ball. That wasn’t happening this week. However if the O’s can’t do that, they struggle.

Contrast that with Chicago, and with other central teams (think Cleveland, for example). Their attitude is hit ‘em where they ain’t. Translated: however you can get on base, you do it. Sometimes you have to play ball that way. And it’s something that would serve the Orioles well. Sometimes when you try to be too perfect, you’re anything but. Take it from a perfectionist.

I would remind fans that before the season started I cautioned that there would be tough days this season. That’s going to be true several times over the course of 162 games. The tides eventually turn. That much we know.

The Orioles will now open a three-game set to close the first half tomorrow with New York at Camden Yards. Cade Povich gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Gerrit Cole. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.