The O’s are capable of playing so competently on any given day, and not so much the next.
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
The Orioles all too often are like the little girl with the curl in the Longfellow poem. When they’re good, they’re very good. But when they’re bad, they’re horrid.
The just-concluded Rays series this weekend saw both extremes on full display. The O’s were horrid on Saturday when they lost an uncompetitive 11-3 game that was essentially over almost as soon as it started. It was the eighth time this season they’d given up 10 or more runs, and the tenth time they’d lost by seven or more.
But the Birds’ two wins were very good indeed. The most emphatic was Friday’s 22-8 rout, but yesterday’s 5-1 win in the rubber game was plenty impressive on its own. The O’s offense came through in clutch spots and manufactured runs in a way they often don’t, scoring five runs without the benefit of a homer. And the Orioles’ pitchers held a potent Rays offense to one run, led by Dean Kremer’s dominant seven shutout innings. Check out Mark Brown’s recap of the finale.
It’s enough to give you whiplash. One day, the Orioles look like the talented, well-rounded group we were always hoping to see in 2025. The next day, they look like the most hapless bunch of bunglers to ever attempt to play baseball. Unfortunately there’s been more of the latter than the former this season, hence their current place at the bottom of the standings.
Maybe this is just who this team is. Expect to spend several more months alternating between thinking, “Wow, these guys are pretty good!” and “Wow, these guys are embarrassing.” It’s all part of the enigma that is the 2025 Orioles.
Links
With Deadline nearing, ‘banded together’ O’s boost case for buyer status – MLB.com
See, this is kind of what I’m talking about. Every time the O’s win a game, we hear about how they’ve turned a corner and are ready to be buyers at the deadline. And then the next day they go out and lose, like, 15-3.
Orioles’ Eflin probably headed to injured list; Rutschman not sure when he’ll return; Bowman’s contract purchased – BaltimoreBaseball.com
The roster moves continue fast and furious for the Orioles. I suppose that’s what happens when half your team is injured at any given time.
Astros Interested In Cedric Mullins – MLB Trade Rumors
Even if trading him makes sense from a business standpoint, the idea of Cedric Mullins playing for any team except the Orioles makes me sad.
Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo patiently waits for call-up – The Baltimore Sun
Basallo is a lot more patient than I am. I want him on the Orioles now now now!
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! The only player in O’s history with a June 30 birthday is first baseman Jesús Aguilar, who played 16 games with the Birds in 2022.
On this date in 1975, Orioles catcher Dave Duncan tied an MLB record by doubling in four consecutive at-bats. All four came against Red Sox starter Luis Tiant, who allowed 16 hits in the game. Duncan was one of the unlikeliest players to match the record; he had only one double all season before that game, and hit only two more the rest of the year.
On this day in 1997, Orioles ace Mike Mussina earned his 100th career win, dominating the Phillies with eight innings of one-run ball in front of 47,837 at Camden Yards. Cal Ripken’s third-inning grand slam off former Oriole Calvin Maduro gave Mussina all the run support he needed.
And on this date in 2009, the O’s pulled off the greatest comeback in their history, rallying from a 10-1 deficit in the seventh to stun the Red Sox, 11-10. The Orioles seemed dead and buried before mounting incredible five-run rallies in both the seventh and eighth innings, when they combined for 13 hits to torch the Boston bullpen. Nick Markakis delivered the decisive blow with a go-ahead, two-run double against Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, thrilling what remained of the Oriole Park crowd that had stayed through a rain delay.