Baltimore Orioles: The Light is Dimming on the 2015 Season
Jun 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Travis Snider (23) reacts after losing to the Texas Rangers 8-6 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
As the Baltimore Orioles lose another game to the Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday night, just re-reading yesterday’s article is about all one needs to do. Again the O’s could only score two runs in the first six innings off a mediocre starter (statistically speaking), allowing the Yankees enough runs to take a lead into the final two innings where the two-headed monster of Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller shut down their opposition for the 50th consecutive time this season. The two relievers registered their six outs on a total of 18 pitches – 16 of them being strikes.
Again, as well, the Orioles had an “0-for” in RISP situations, on this evening being 0-for-5. They never really got much going against Ivan Nova other that a two-run homer by Ryan Flaherty in the third inning. Beyond the three hits in that inning, the only other hit was a ninth inning homer by Chris Davis off Miller. But that was, again, one run too little and too late.
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Particularly killing the Orioles’ few scoring opportunities was Travis Snider. Can someone explain how it is that he is hitting in the number two spot in the order? Yet, having said that, coming into this game in which he was 0-for-4, he was .254 on the season with a .333 OBP and .310 average with RISP. All of those positive numbers must have happened at times I was not watching the games. He was also batting .298 in his 12 games in the number two hole.
So, it is difficult to really criticize, given all those rather decent stats. However, a closer look inside the numbers does paint a darker pitcher. In late and close game situations, Snider is only hitting .214. When the Orioles are losing, it is .213; but when the O’s are ahead by four or more runs, he is batting .321. This car needs a new clutch.
I continue to believe the Orioles would be best served to let Nolan Reimold play left field consistently and bat in the second spot. Platooning is not working. The reasons are those I’ve rehearsed a dozen times in this blog, but the consistent playing time and his sneaky fast speed would help the Orioles at the top of the lineup. Paredes can hit in the sixth or seventh spot as DH, where he can drive in more runs.
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But stepping back from individual player discussions (and this probably deserves an article all its own), there are simply not enough Orioles players playing up to or beyond historic levels and expectations. Much of this did happen in the 2012-2014 seasons. And conversely, the Yankees are enjoying just the opposite, having more players than expected performing at higher levels than generally anticipated before the season began.
And another thought that deserves its only analytical article is to say that I don’t actually hope that there are any trades before the deadline upcoming. This is a roster that should win the A.L. East. I would hate to see future talent traded away in a futile effort to squeeze the O’s into a failed playoff run if the current pieces are not going to turn it around. If they don’t do it with what they have, they don’t … let’s build a new team with wise retention of a couple veterans (like Darren O’Day) and bring up some exciting rookies and new acquisitions.
I want to be positive about this team without being foolish, and most of the time I think I walk that balance of criticism and praise. But it is really difficult to not be disappointed in too many elements of what we have seen from this group this year. They may yet turn it around with a mighty final two-month run … for as I’ve written POSITIVELY above, this is the best roster in the division. But the lights appear to be dimming.
Don’t hate me for saying the truth. The Orioles are now 46-47. They were 51-42 after the same 93 games a year ago.