Baltimore Orioles are Experiencing Road Woes

Jul 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Chris Davis (19) looks on after striking out in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles sat in the same place they did last season at the beginning of June. And similar to last year, they made a move for first place by the beginning of this month. They held first place for the first two days of July.

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However, despite playing four fewer games at this point than last year, the O’s road record has prevented the team from holding onto first place. In 2014, their road record was 26-19 on July 8, and with the 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins, the Birds are 17-26 on the road this season.

The team heads home for a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. This series could be used to jump start the offense before another road series ensues. The O’s have a 26-16 record at home.

They are averaging 5.1 runs per game at home compared to 3.8 runs per game on the road. The Birds only have 39 home runs on the road, while they have 65 at home.

However, the All-Star Break begins Monday, so even if the Beltway series helps the offense after a poor performance on the road, the long break may render it useless. The team opens up the second half against the Detroit Tigers on the road after the four-day break.

The Orioles are averaging more than five runs per game at home, but they have been averaging less than four on the road.

The team continues on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees before returning home July 27. This stretch of games is not going to help the Orioles with the offensive problems away from Camden Yards.

With six games against the AL East during this stretch, the O’s cannot afford to continue this type of play. They have to figure out how to win on the road or risk falling behind in the division.

The Orioles have scored 20 runs in the eight games they have played in July. I’ll do the math for you. They scored an average of 2.5 runs per game.

However, the 9-1 win over the Chicago White Sox distorts the stats a bit. It does show the Birds as the up-and-down team they are. Anyone who watches baseball on a consistent basis knows that there are always stretches of good and bad baseball.

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The O’s need another good stretch as they sit at 43-42 on the season. As the entire AL East has been inconsistent this year, the hot team in the division is the Boston Red Sox. And they happen to be in fifth place.

The Birds may not be getting anything to go their way during recent games, but the division is playing out perfectly for them. With their inconsistent play, they are getting more and more time to get it right before someone else pulls away.

It’s time for the Orioles to take advantage of the division. They can help their road woes and pull ahead of the other teams with the six games against the Rays and Yankees.

Next: Baltimore Orioles: Twins Complete Sweep For First Time Since 2007

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