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Maybe it's the impending October, perhaps it's been the caliber of opponent we've been playing over the last couple of weeks, but these games lately have all felt high-stakes and heavily contested. Every play is under a magnifying glass, with the errors glaring, and the spectacular efforts standing out equally strong. Fortunately for us Orioles fans, there've been many more positives than negatives recently to dwell on.
It still feels fake— not just the current excellence on the field, but the fact that even better days are coming as our booming farm matures. We've been through some shit Birdland, let's take a few moments along this playoff push to sit back and enjoy the ride it's been.
Record since Last Orioles Report: 4-3
Overall Record: 74-45
Trio vs. the Astros
Brutal game to kick off the Houston series in Camden Tuesday night. Amidst all of the John Angelos-Kevin Brown hoopla, the good guys were taking it to their opponents in front of a packed home crowd. Ryan Mountcastle and Adley Rutschman helped build a 6-2 lead by each hitting two-run homers in the first and second. James McCann added an RBI ground out and sacrifice fly as Grayson navigated six sharp innings against an imposing lineup.
The Astros scored on a single in the eighth to draw within three runs, setting the stage for some ninth inning dramatics. For possibly the first time all season, Felix Bautista looked human on the mound, noticeably missing his spots as he loaded the bases. Kyle Tucker came up and did not miss, parking a grand slam into the right field bleachers to pull his team ahead for good, 7-6 ‘Stros.
Wednesday wasn't much better, as Cristian Javier really locked down Baltimore's lineup during his five frames, giving up just four hits and two runs, courtesy of an Austin Hays dinger. Jack Flaherty struggled early in his second start with the club, giving up three runs in the first two, but settled in nicely to make it through five of his own. Shintaro Fujinami and Michael Baumann let things slip late though, surrendering five in the eighth and ninth to really blow things open. 8-2 Houston win.
75 consecutive series without being swept...on the line Thursday afternoon. What a better time for Good Dean to show up. The man lasted seven innings, allowing just two earned runs while generally appearing in control. Adley and Mounty homered again, with the former adding in an additional RBI single in between the two long balls.
Mount Bautista was shaky once again, giving up two hits while issuing two free passes, but Brandon Hyde showed confidence in his All-Star closer. It was rewarded, as Felix worked a two-out, bases loaded pop up from Jon Singleton to seal the deal. Big, big exhale at the end of this one though, 5-4 Birds.
Up to Seattle for Three
Maybe it was the long trip up to Seattle, but something was off with Kyle Gibson Friday night. Twelve hits, two walks and nine earned runs over 5.1, just not a line a team is going to win with very often, especially against Luis Castillo. Anthony Santander hit a solo tater and Jordan Westburg added an RBI single late to reduce the margin of defeat to just seven. Not much else to say about this one, 9-2 M's.
Saturday was as unlikely a win as you'll come across for the Orioles. The pedestrian Cole Irvin spot starting against a George Kirby that struck out seven and gave up just three hits over scoreless nine innings of baseball. Absolutely dialed in...no way they didn't get him the win, right?
Believe it or not, it was all for naught, as the last minute starter and five bullpen arms combined to shut out the Mariners through ten. It was Ryan Mountcastle, yet again, coming up big in the top of the extra frame, driving in Cedric Mullins for the go ahead run. Felix Bautista shut things down in the ninth and tenth to earn his seventh win of 2023. Gut check, 1-0 Baltimore.
As good as the day prior was, the finale to this series was positively grand. Kyle Bradish continued his strong August with seven strikeouts and two earned over seven, but the offense couldn't put him in position for a decision. However, Adley did deliver a go-ahead fielder's choice in the top of the ninth to put the Orioles in a spot to close out the series. If only it were so easy.
Michael Baumann came in for the bottom of the frame, with Bautista having pitched two the night before. With one out, Ty France took him to deep, deep center. It looked as if things we're all knotted up at T-Mobile Park, before Cedric Mullins made the catch of a career to preserve the lead. Astonishing, no other way to put it. The snag was magnified just a batter later, as Baumann actually did surrender a home run to Dominic Canzone that forced extras. It would've been a decisive bomb otherwise...
Mullins provided more heroics in the top of the tenth, just narrowly missing a homer before launching a two-run shot two pitches later to put the O's up for good. Shintaro Fujinami slammed the door and Baltimore escaped with a 5-3 win and series victory up in Seattle.
Game One in San Diego
That’s the Grayson Rodriguez we want to see! Seven innings, three hits, just one walk and one earned run. It’s clear that he really benefitted from his brief demotion, lending some optimism that Colton Cowser will see similar gains in the coming weeks.
Ryan O’Hearn hit a solo dong and Gunnar stayed hot with the sacks full, delivering a base clearing double off Yu Darvish in the fifth to put the Orioles ahead 4-0. The one run they did allow really only set up Bautista for yet another save for his incredible season. 4-1 O’s.
Farm Report
-Ugly week for Norfolk, dropping their first five to Jacksonville by a combined 33-7, before winning the finale to avoid a sweep
-Chayce McDermott was one bright spot in the series, surrendering just two hits and one run in five innings pitched, striking out six. Predictably, Bryan Baker blew the game, allowing Austin Allen to hit a game winning two run homer in the bottom of the eighth
-Mychal Givens was rocked in two relief appearances, giving up six ER in 1.1 innings of work. He was designated for assignment Sunday after getting just one out in his second stint
-Really tough two outings for Garrett Stallings. We wrote very highly of him a last week, but he allowed thirteen earned runs in eight innings...no bueno
-Jackson Holliday had a ridiculous 5-6 day at the dish Friday; the cherry on top to a 9-26 week with five batted in and six runs
-Maxwell Costes played well in first series with Bowie, batting .294 with two RBI, two extra base hits and two walks
-John Means pitched an efficient two innings for the Baysox Thursday in his first live action since Tommy John surgery. He gave up one hit and struck out two
-Tyler Wells was sharp in 3.1 frames over the weekend, allowing just one earned and five base runners. Ryan Long went long...in relief, giving up one run as he completed a rare five inning save
-Ironbirds struggled to get the bats going all week, averaging under three runs per game while getting shut out twice by the Cyclones
-Orioles #5 prospect Samuel Basallo went 7-20 at the plate in five games versus Brooklyn, hitting two doubles, a long ball and bringing in five
-Cameron Weston was strong again in relief, giving up one run while striking out six over four strong
-What a Shorebirds debut for 10th round pick Matthew Etzel, homering in his first at bat with the team, en route to a .364/2/9 stat line, plus six stolen bases. Keep an eye on this kid if this level of play continues
-Speaking of stolen bases (and debuts), Enrique Bradfield, ladies and gentlemen. Nine walks and a perfect 8-8 in steals during your first four games of action is really something impressive. The dude is a real game breaker on the base paths, and has the plate discipline to get there regularly
-Deivy Cruz improved to 8-2 on the season after a really nice start Friday night. The 19 year old allowed just two hits and two walks over five scoreless, lowering his ERA to 3.36
Concluding Thoughts
Michael Baumann has been a really important part of our bullpen all season, but he’s starting to fall apart at an inconvenient time. Allowing four earned over his last four shook up an already iffy group of relievers. Really hoping he rediscovers his previous form for the playoff push.
Ryan Mountcastle has really been coming on this month. The Toronto series obviously didn't hurt, but his average up to .271 as he’s ripped .435 in August. What a welcome spark it’s been too for a group that had been pretty inconsistent in July.
Kyle Bradish is having a strong month too, as mentioned above, rocking a 2.55 in three August starts as he gets back to impromptu ace form. He, Grayson and either Jack Flaherty or Dean Kremer would make for a pretty alright postseason trio. What a strange development for us to have competence in the starting rotation!
Let’s finish up this trip out west strong against the shitty Padres and Athletics!
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@Choppinglines
*I own no rights to any images found in this blog
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