Baltimore Orioles strive to get back on track versus Houston Astros

Pitch deeper into games

This one isn’t that difficult. The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the worst teams in the American League in 2017 at getting length from their starting pitching.

This isn’t just a 2017 issue, either. The Orioles have dealt with this for several years.

In the past, a shut down back end of the bullpen allowed Buck Showalter to piecemeal his way through the sixth inning to get to that bullpen.

However, with Zach Britton out, he needs to use those pitchers to get his way through the seventh inning to get to Darren O’Day and Brad Brach. This means the starters need to at least get through six innings. Otherwise, there is a lot of baton passing and a lot that has the potential to go wrong.

Kevin Gausman got through six innings last time out, albeit in a laborious start in which he gave up 10 hits, but only two runs.

Wade Miley went seven innings in his last start, which the Orioles lost 3-1. Miley pitched one of his best games that day and was done in by a Jonathan Schoop error in the first inning.

And, no one is exactly sure who is pitching on Sunday, but there is a very, very good chance they won’t go six innings. It may be due to not being stretched out enough (Alec Asher) or inefficiency (Ubaldo Jimenez).

Even more of a reason for Gausman and Miley to give the team length.

Plus, Darren O’Day and Brad Brach appear to have turned the corner on their struggles, so if you provide them with the lead it puts the team in good shape!