A three-game win streak, Urías’ glove, vote Santander, and adding organizational depth.
Good Morning, Birdland,
This may not be the same fearsome Rangers lineup that romped its way to a World Series win last season, but it is still a talented group. Though you wouldn’t know it through the first two games of this series in which the Orioles’ pitching staff has allowed three total runs over 18 innings.
Albert Suárez rediscovered his early-season form on Friday night as a he twirled six shutout frames, pitching to contact and avoiding free passes. It was a smart approach against these Rangers, who have been under-performing all season long. Last night was more of the same.
Colton Cowser could be back on the upswing. He has three home runs in his last four games, and his June OPS is up to .755, which is great when paired with his excellent defense. The Orioles could be onto something with a new strategy in the outfield that cycles in each of Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, and Austin Hays where it makes sense throughout the week. Cowser’s glove also allows them to put Cedric Mullins in positions where he can succeed rather than trotting him out every single day regardless of matchups. That is a huge win!
And what more can you say about Gunnar Henderson? He got on base twice more on Friday (single and a walk). His season-long numbers are insane. They would be good for a 162-game slate, but we still have half of a season to go. How is this guy only turning 23 today?
Reminder that tonight’s game is a national broadcast on FOX. So the start time will be pushed to 7:15. Yet another big stage for the rookie Cade Povich, who has been quite solid in his first month as a big leaguer.
Links
How Orioles are getting the most out of Gunnar Henderson’s MVP-caliber season | The Baltimore Sun
There is certainly an argument for moving Henderson down to the two or three spot in the order. He would bat with runners on base more often, but he would probably also lose a few at-bats over the course of the summer. For now, you really can’t argue with the results, so there is little incentive to tweak the approach.
Looking at Urías’ good defense, June coming to a close and Cowser’s power | Steve Melewski
Ramón Urías gloving that Marcus Semien hot shot in the seventh inning is exactly why he remains on this roster despite the cries from fans to remove him in favor of Coby Mayo. Perhaps Mayo would have made the play, but Urías did make the play! There is clearly a difference in offensive ceiling between the two players, but that doesn’t matter all that much at the moment. The Orioles are scoring plenty of runs. They need to prevent runs while they sort out the pitching staff. Urías helps them in that department more than Mayo would.
Santander on All-Star balloting: “Happy and excited and grateful for Orioles fans who voted for me” | Roch Kubatko
It only feels right that Anthony Santander, one of the few remaining holdovers from the rebuilding Orioles gets an all-star nod. John Means, Cedric Mullins, and Austin Hays have all had their trips to the Midsummer Classic. Let’s get Tony there!
Orioles Sign Niko Goodrum, Burch Smith To Minor League Deals | MLB Trade Rumors
These are both fine, logical moves for organizational depth. Goodrum is the type of guy that can play all over and fill in for Norfolk if/when the Orioles make a trade at the deadline. Smith is a throw-it-against-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks kind of move. He has spent time in the Marlins bullpen this season, and it seems like that went OK. According to FanGraphs, the 34-year-old has a minor league option remaining, so he will likely be up at some point to absorb innings. Maybe he does well enough to stick around.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Gunnar Henderson is 23 today. In case you missed it, the Orioles current shortstop might be the best baseball player in the entire world right now. We are so lucky to watch him play baseball night after night.
- Travis Lakins Sr. turns 30. He spent parts of three seasons in the Orioles bullpen from 2020 through 2022.
- Pedro Viola celebrates his 41st birthday. The righty appeared in six games for the O’s between 2010 and ‘11.
- Dizzy Trout (b. 1915, d. 1972) was born on this day. He played in two games for the Orioles in 1957 as a 42-year-old, nearly five years removed from his previous big league experience.
This day in O’s history
2002 – The Orioles beat the Phillies 11-1, thanks in large part to a five-hit performance from Gary Matthews Jr.
2013 – Chris Davis hits his major league-leading 30th home run as the Orioles rout the Yankees 11-3.
2019 – Baltimore wins back-to-back games for the first time since May 4-6th. On this occasion, they beat Cleveland twice in a row by an identical 13-0 scoreline.