Baltimore Orioles: This is part of a rebuild

Keegan Akin was asked to be the Baltimore Orioles’ stopper today. And for the most part, while not making it out of the fifth, he did a good job. But when you come in having lost 12 straight games, that makes it tougher. Losing streaks don’t like to go away. Akin did put the Birds in a position to win the game, however. Akin’s line: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

DJ Stewart smacked a solo homer in the third inning, giving the O’s a 1-0 lead. And the ironic thing is that throughout this losing streak, the Orioles have had the lead fairly often. Meaning they’ve taken early leads in games, only to surrender them. This time it was only one run, but of course there was the five-run lead they blew in Washington as well.

In general, Oriole pitching was very good today. They just need to put together good pitching and good hitting at the same time. And in the absence of more than one run, Oriole bats were asking the pitching staff to bite off more than they could chew.

Hamilton smacked a solo homer of his own in the last of the third to tie the game. However the game remained tied until the last of the seventh, despite the Orioles loading the bases with nobody out. A single and a throwing error later, and Chicago had a runner in scoring position. Madrigal’s run-scoring triple gave Chicago a 2-1 lead. Moncada’s RBI-single would run the score to 3-1, which was the final.

The opponent always comes up with late-inning heroics when you’ve lost twelve straight games – now 13. On that note, I’ve seen a lot of things said on media such as Twitter during games – about the losing streak, and whether Brandon Hyde or Mike Elias should continue in their roles. Regarding Hyde, there are legitimate complaints you can make about any manager. I don’t see them changing managers unless he loses the clubhouse. And there appears to be no indication of that happening.

Mike Elias was very up front about what needed to happen, and what a full rebuild entailed. It’s a painful process. The nadir of the losing was 2018, before the rebuild even began (it began in the middle of the season at the trade deadline). They actually tried to win that year, but instead we know how the season went. 2019 was really the first full year, and last year was a wash. This season is the second full year.

But again, it’s not a fun process. Sometimes I question – did people think Elias was putting them on when he made that clear at the beginning? This process probably should have happened in or about 1999, and again around 2007-08. Instead they warmed over the team, never fully committing to rebuilding. This time around however, they’re doing it the right way.

Fans may argue that doesn’t make losing 13 straight games any easier. And that’s a fact for sure. But keep in mind that the farm system had been depleted when Elias took over in advance of 2019. As of now they’re a top five farm system in baseball. That right there tells you he’s doing it right, and what will eventually be coming to Baltimore.

The O’s now head home to open a three-game set at Camden Yards. Jorge Lopez gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Jose Berrios. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles lose game, possibly Trey Mancini

If Bruce Zimmermann’s effort last night is any indication, perhaps the Baltimore Orioles’ starters are beginning to settle down just a bit. PERHAPS. Zimmermann only threw five innings, but he put the team in a position to win, and he potentially saved them from having to use a bullpen reliever earlier than they did. Zimmermann’s line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Zimmermann gave up a solo homer to Mercedes in the second inning. And that’s it. Freddy Galvis tied the game in the top of the fourth with a solo shot of his own. And on we played.

But an RBI-single by Hamilton in the sixth gave the ChiSox the lead again. And they didn’t look back. This combined with a three-run seventh inning gave Chicago a 5-1 lead.

But the O’s may have lost more than just their tenth straight game. Trey Mancini was hit on his elbow in the first inning. He was down for awhile, and after being checked out by head trainer Brian Ebel, he went down to first base and ran for himself.

However Mancini was lifted from the game in the last of the first and couldn’t play in the field. He was later diagnosed with a contusion. HeMs listed as day-to-day.

Manager Brandon Hyde addressed Mancini’s injury after the game:

As of right now he’s not undergoing any more testing. We are going to see how he feels tomorrow. I’m sure it’s going to be extremely sore. He got him in a tender spot there by the elbow.

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

Bruce Zimmermann was still in the bullpen warming up when Mancini was injured. Zimmermann on Mancini:

It was a very silent bullpen when we saw that happen. Obviously, Trey is the leader on this team and a sparkplug for us on offense, as well. I talked to him a little bit in the clubhouse when I came in. He’s in good spirits and hopefully it’s nothing more than a contusion and he gets back on the playing field as soon as possible because he’s such an integral part of this team and a key to our offense and just the lifeline of this team.

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

I don’t need to remind everyone of Mancini’s story. By default he’s already the Comeback Player of the Year. He’s also the league’s RBI-leader. But now he risks going to the IL. Only time will tell on that.

The series continues this evening at Guaranteed Rate Field. Matt Harvey gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Dallas Keuchel. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Should Jorge Lopez be a reliever?

Win or lose, Jorge Lopez did a valuable service for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon in Minnesota. He pitched six innings in this afternoon’s game. That saved the Oriole bullpen, which as we know has already been over-worked. He also pitched to a quality start. Lopez’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 3 K.

Lopez was given the lead early when Trey Mancini smacked a solo homer in the first inning. And that lead stood up for the Orioles over some time. Lopez pitched a solid outing, and mowed hitters down over a long period of time. Until he couldn’t do it anymore.

With two on in the sixth, Cano smacked a three-run home run. That gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead. Maikel Franco would get the O’s back on the board with an RBI-double in the ninth, but it wasn’t enough. And the Orioles fell to their ninth straight loss

Predictably, Minnesota got through to Lopez on his third time through the order. He’s had a real issue pitching the third time through. He’s been fairly solid on the first and second times through the order, but it’s the third time that’s got him.

So should Lopez be a reliever instead of a starter? That would avoid him going through the order three times. Another option might be an “opener.” In that role he might or might not go through the order once. But at the very least he wouldn’t see the entire order, and thus would’t see it three times through.

Here’s another point; did Brandon Hyde wait too long to lift him? Lopez was obviously tiring in that sixth inning. And this is part of having a tired bullpen – you find yourself in these sorts of dilemma’s. The result suggests that Hyde did wait too long. But who knows how true that is. Again, all of this is the result of the bullpen having to be over-taxed.

And the good news is that while they lost their ninth straight game and while Lopez got tagged with the loss, he saved the bullpen some innings this afternoon. He acted as an innings-eater, which is one of the reasons he’s on this team. But the O’s need to keep in mind moving forward that the third time through the order things are different.

The O’s now head to Chicago for four games with the ChiSox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Bruce Zimmermann gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Dylan Cease. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Are the O’s positioning themselves wrongly?

The Baltimore Orioles lost their eighth straight game last night in Minnesota. Dean Kremer for the start, and put the Birds in a spot to win. Granted his stay line might not indicate that, but he did. That’s what you ask of a starting pitcher. Kremer’s line: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 5 K.

There was some promise in this game from the Birds’ perspective. In the second inning it appeared they had hit into a double-play with one out, however the Minnesota infield bumbled the ball and everyone was safe. Cedric Mullins proceeded to smack a two-run single giving the O’s a 2-0 lead.

The promising thing wasn’t that they scored or that they had the lead. Throughout the losing streak that hasn’t been an issue. (The issue has been holding the lead.) But what was promising about that was that the O’s held their opponent accountable for their mistake. The inning should have been over. And as opposed to just recording the final two outs in a ho-hum manner, the O’s put two runs across and held Minnesota accountable for their mistake.

However Minnesota came right back in the last of the second. Polanco’s solo homer cut the lead in half, and Refsnyder’s RBI-double tied the game. Minnesota would later load the bases, and take a 4-2 lead by scoring on consecutive wild pitches.

One of those wild pitches was probably blockable by catcher Pedro Severino. But it trickled away. He did make up for that however with an RBI-double in the fourth inning. But Minnesota would put two runs across down the stretch of the game as well, before DJ Stewart smacked a solo homer in the eighth. The O’s would fall 7-4, again with their eighth consecutive loss.

Here’s an interesting point about that; how are the Birds positioning their fielders? I saw Minnesota outfielders making several amazing plays the past two games. Plays they had to work to make, but that they made. Saving balls from falling in by the skin of their teeth.

Other times the O’s were making good contact, but right at fielders. Conversely, it seems that opponents are using the entire field more than anything else. In Washington last weekend there were multiple shots down the lines which sent Oriole corner outfielders scrambling. A trend that has continued into Minnesota.

Are the O’s positioning their outfielders straight-away too often? Because they’re giving up shots down the line, and all but surrendering scoring position for opposing base runners. And there’s something about how opponents can position their fielders AGAINST the Birds which says that they know something about Oriole hitters’ tendencies that the Orioles don’t. That’s concerning.

The series in Minnesota concludes this afternoon at Target Field. Jorge Lopez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Michael Pineda. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Six-run eighth sinks the Birds in Minneapolis

The Baltimore Orioles appeared poised to break a six-game losing streak last night in Minnesota following a 45 minute rain delay. John Means had started for the O’s, and was predictably effective. But as I said, they “appeared poised to break the losing streak.” Appearances can be deceiving. Means’ line: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

The Orioles took an early 1-0 lead in the first on Anthony Santander’s RBI-double. This is the third straight game in which the Birds have gotten at it right away and scored in the first inning. Unfortunately it’s almost been like the opponent has said we have them right where we want them. Even still, with Means on the mound and with Oriole bats coming in hot after the weekend in Washington, things were looking up.

Means would give up a solo homer to Larnach in the third to tie the game at one. He’s surrender a second solo homer to Garlick in the sixth, giving Minnesota the lead. But true to form, solo homers usually don’t beat you.

The skies opened up with DJ Stewart about to come to the plate with a runner on base in the eighth. The teams sat through a 45 minute rain delay before play was able to resume. And perhaps it was worth the wait, as Stewart smacked a two-run homer. That put the O’s in the lead at 3-2, and again they appeared poised to snap the losing streak.

Then the last of the eighth happened. Minnesota not only tied the game and took the lead, but they did it in grandiose fashion. They shut the door on the Orioles’ hopes of snapping the losing streak, which now sits at seven games. When the smoke cleared Minnesota had put six runs on the board in the eighth inning, and they cruised to an 9-4 victory.

After the game John Means tried to stay upbeat, saying that the O’s were still in a good spot:

Obviously, after a loss like that, it’s pretty quiet, but we approach every day with a lot of energy. We come to the field ready to win, ready to compete. I still think this team is in a good place and has energy coming to the field. It’s just can’t get that one win to get us going.

Quote courtesy of Rich Kubatko, MASNsports

As I said following the Washington series, the Oriole bullpen is really in a spot. They’ve been overused with starters not being able (or in some cases allowed) to go deep into games. And with no off day in sight for awhile. What was once supposed to be the strength of the team is now a major liability.

The series continues tonight at Target Field in Minneapolis. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Jose Berrios. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Pitching is taking it’s toll

Matt Harvey became the second Baltimore Orioles’ starter in as many days to get a first inning lead against Washington. And he also became the second in as many days to give said lead up. Harvey’s line: 4.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R (5 earned), 1 BB, 6 K.

One thing that was different in this game as opposed to the other two in the series is that the O’s were aggressive early on. Granted they put up five runs yesterday, but they weren’t aggressive early in the count. Today they hit the ground running, and Trey Mancini’s RBI-single in the first inning gave them a 1-0 lead.

The Birds would go onto get an RBI-single from Anthony Santander, and an RBI-double from Maikel Franco. Before Harvey took the mound, he led 3-0. However Washington immediately evened the score in the last of the first. He’ll smacked an RBI-single, and Schwarber a two-run homer.

Washington would take the lead later on in the inning on Avila’s RBI-double. But the good news is that the O’s never stopped playing. Franco’s sac fly-RBI in the third tied the score at four. However again, Washington came right back in the fourth with Turner’s sac fly-RBI to take a 5-4 lead.

Washington would get a sixth run in the fifth on a walk with the bases loaded, and Trey Mancini’s RBI-groundout would get the Birds to within one at 6-5. But that’s as close as they BBC like come, and they were swept in the series by Washington.

The real issue right now facing this team is pitching. Aside from Friday, Oriole bats were strong in this series. They may not have gotten clutch hits in clutch moments, but they put runs on the board. Certainly enough to win the final two games of the series.

But this was bound to happen with starters not going deep into games early in the season. The bullpen tired, and starters continually are throwing shorter outings. And they need to get this figured out soon. They don’t have an off day in sight anytime soon.

The O’s now move onto Target Field in Minnesota to open up a series tomorrow night. John Means gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Matt Shoemaker. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Things faded fast in DC

The Baltimore Orioles gave Bruce Zimmerman the lead before he even took the mound at Nationals Park in Washington, DC this afternoon. And a big lead at that – 5-0. However you could almost see Zimmerman and his teammates playing not to lose even at that point. Zimmerman’s line: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

I shouldn’t say not to lose. Oriole bats did come alive to a degree today. But while five runs in the first inning are a lot, the issue is there’s still a lot of baseball to be played. Freddy Galvis’ RBI-double would give the O’s a 1-0 lead. As the inning progressed they would eventually load the bases, and Ryan Mountcastle’s grand slam made it 5-0.

Again however, there was still a lot of innings left. And when you have a tired bullpen like the Orioles do, that could be a huge problem. Washington would put a run across on a force out by Gomes in the second. And the Birds actually were able to extend their lead to 6-1 on an RBI-single by Pedro Severino.

But Washington’s lineup was unimpressed with the Orioles and Ryan Mouncastle’s grand slam. Harrison smacked one of his own in the last of the third. That cut the Orioles’ lead to 6-5. In the third inning.

One inning later Turner’s RBI-single tied the game at six, and Zimmerman’s three-run homer gave Washington a 9-6 lead. Those runs weren’t charged to Bruce Zimmerman of course, as he was long gone. But it’s really amazing at how quickly this got away from the O’s. It‘s almost as if Washington was offended at the Birds taking the early lead.

The O’s would get one back on a solo homer in the fifth by Anthony Santander. However Washington would piecemeal a few additional runs together before the game ended. A sac fly-RBI by Castro and an RBI-single by Schwarber in the sixth. They would also get a 12th run on an error by Franco at third base. The O’s threatened in the eighth and netted two on a two-RBI double by Pat Valaika, but they were unable to get closer than 12-9.

Washington took advantage of every opportunity the Orioles gave them. From the grand slam, to scoring on that error. Ironically however, the Orioles took advantage of their chances also. They just had fewer of them. That’s something that needs to change if the O’s are going to win games. Close games, that is.

The series concludes tomorrow at Nationals Park. Matt Harvey gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Patrick Corbin. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Jorge Lopez can’t nibble, O’s fall in DC

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Jorge Lopez did a service for his team tonight. With a tired bullpen, he went five innings in tonight’s 4-2 loss in Washington. That’s huge, as the Birds needed to spare a couple of bullpen relievers tonight with a long road trip ahead. Lopez’s line: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 8 K.

Unfortunately for Lopez and the O’s, Washington starter Strasburg matched him pitch-for-pitch, and out-for-out. Both starters were throwing strikes all throughout their outings. With one difference; Lopez commanded the middle of the plate. Strasburg nibbled.

In general nibbling is going to get you in trouble. However Strasburg was good at it tonight. Very good at it. And as a result, he started getting strike calls on pitches right off the plate. Lopez was throwing strikes, but in the middle of the plate. He was getting pitches by hitters. Eventually something had to give.

And eventually Washington hitters adjusted to Lopez. Schearber’s RBI-double in the last of the fifth gave Washington a 1-0 lead. They tripled it later in the inning with an RBI-singles by Harrison and Soto. Bell’s RBI-single in the eighth would give them an insurance run, and a 4-0 lead.

The O’s didn’t have many opportunities, but they did have one in the sixth. Trey Mancini hit what could have been a run-scoring double. It should have been a run-scoring double. Washington overshot the cutoff man on the relay throw, and Austin Hays had a golden opportunity to score. But he was gunned out at home plate. It isn’t often that a team can overshoot the cutoff man, and still have it work out for them.

Freddy Galvis would smack a two-run homer in the ninth to get the O’s on the board, but it was too little too late. Jorge Lopez pitched a solid game tonight in a losing effort. But he couldn’t adjust when Washington adjusted to him. And he couldn’t work the corners of the plate, while Washington lived there. Things like that can often be the difference between winning and losing.

It’s also worth mentioning how big Austin Hays being gunned out at the plate was. If he scores there, the O’s have the tying run coming to the plate in the ninth (all things being the same). Consequently, if not for that insurance run, the same applies. This game was a lot closer to being different than we might think.

The series continues tomorrow afternoon at Nationals Park. Bruce Zimmerman gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Jon Lester. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: The Battle of the Beltways

The Baltimore Orioles open up a ten-game road swing tonight. Given their record at home and on the road, that’s not really a bad thing. But are the truly on the road? In Washington DC?

Yes folks, they are. When the O’s head to DC to play the Washington Nationals they do stay in a hotel as they would for any other road series, they wear the gray uniforms, and they bat first in each inning. They sit in Nationals Park’s third base side visitors’ dugout, and utilize the visitors’ bullpen in left field. They’re as “on the road” as on the road can mean.

However, the fact remains that Baltimore and Washington are close in proximity. As a crow flies we’re talking 40 miles. The fan bases are overlapped, and everyone knows or is related to someone who roots for the other team. In my case, my Dad’s side of the family (which is where I got my indoctrination into baseball) are all O’s fans. My Mom’s side of the family (despite having roots in Fells Point after they arrived from Italy) are mostly Nats fans – with a few O’s fans also.

Originally however, they were Washington Senators fans, of course. In fact, my late grandfather was a catcher who played semi-pro baseball in the Senators’ system. So despite some of the political differences between the franchises, the fans are largely friendly. You’ll see groups of friends and relatives split down the middle at Nationals Park this weekend.

And I think that’s something that’s really unique to the mid-Atlantic region. Obviously some regional rivalries are within the same city – New York, Chicago, and even the San Francisco Bay Area teams (to a lesser degree). So there are rivals who are geographically closer than these two teams. But make no mistake that Yankees and Mets fans would never be caught dead together.

Other situations are too far for fans to really “travel.” The Florida and Texas teams, for instance. In this case most of you reading this know Nats fans. Like my family maybe they’re your relatives, or maybe you work with them. But you know them, and you have intelligent conversations with them everyday – good baseball conversations. And many of you will be hosted by them in groups at Nationals Park this weekend. Conversely, many of you will host your Nats fan friends at Camden Yards in July.

And perhaps this rivalry more than any other in baseball, it’s truly about the fans. We’re far enough away to be different, but close enough to be family. Sure fans will have separate rooting interests this weekend. But it all ends in good fun. It all ends with everyone at a bar table sharing nachos and pitchers of beer – COVID withstanding.

And on that note, my hope is that any Orioles fans coming down for a game or for the whole weekend find some time to enjoy DC. Meaning the monuments (those which are open, at least), as well as aspects of Nationals Park. It does have a decent beer selection – for those who are into such things! Whereas Camden Yards seems to sell a lot of Flying Dog (out of Frederick), Nationals Park sells a heavy amount of Devil’s Backbone (out of Virginia). There are also lots of local food items such as Ben’s Chili Bowl among other food options.

All in all, it should be a fun weekend for fans of both teams. And that’s the goal. It’s baseball; it’s supposed to be fun for the fans. Whether you root, root, root for the home team, or the road team.

Baltimore Orioles: Why so poor at home?

Home games haven’t been kind to the Baltimore Orioles thus far in 2021. Thus far, and including today’s loss, the O’s have won exactly six games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer got the start this afternoon in the series finale against Tampa, and it wasn’t even close. Kremer’s line: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 3 K.

First off, I found Brandon Hyde‘s usage of Kremer to be interesting today. On one hand I suppose one could argue that it appeared Kremer didn’t have it today, and Hyde pulled him after three innings in an attempt to salvage the game. However he also could have been using him as an “opener.” Tough to say.

Tampa got the lead in the second, and never looked back. Wendle smacked a solo homer, followed later in the inning by a three-run shot by Arozarena. The O’s did attempt to fight back. Trey Mancini‘s solo homer cut the Tampa lead to 4-1.

Mancini’s been a bright spot for the Birds in this series. That was his third home run of the three games in which we saw Tampa this week, and also including multiple hits and RBI. Unfortunately the homers were solo shots, however the fact that he’s stroking at the plate bodes well for this lineup moving forward. Especially as the Birds head to Washington this weekend for three games under National League rules (with the pitcher hitting).

However Tampa ensured that the O’s weren’t about to come back. This after they came back late in the game last night. Choi’s RBI-single in the sixth ran the score to 5-1. Tampa would go onto put five more runs on the board before the end of the game, defeating the Orioles, 10-1 this afternoon at Camden Yards.

It’s interesting to note the Birds struggles at home, against how well they’ve played on the road. Obviously John Means’ no-hitter came on the road in Seattle. There’s really no decent explanation as to why the O’s can’t seem to win at Camden Yards.

Then again, the explanation is plain as the noses on our faces. The O’s have played the following opponents at home: Boston (twice), New York (twice), Seattle, Oakland, and Tampa. Those are tough teams to play anywhere. (Although they did perform better on the road against both Seattle and Oakland.) Especially seeing Boston and New York twice.

However the season itself is a grind. You’re going to have up’s and downs. The O’s will now head out on the road for a relatively long trip, taking them through Washington, Minnesota, and Chicago. So if there is something at home which has hampered them, this is a good chance to even things out a bit as they head away from Camden Yards.

The Orioles now head down the pike for the first installment of the Battle of the Beltways at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Jorge Lopez gets the start for the O’s, and Washington is yet to name a starter. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Note: Washington’s starter is TBD due to two players having been put on the COVID-19 list. One of them tested positive and is asymptomatic, and the other is in quarantine. Our thoughts are certainly with them; at the time this article is being written Washington is playing a day game in Chicago against the Cubs. Presumably they will update their starter following the game.