Welcome to Connolly’s. Grab a seat, pick up your surgical mask and snag an orange straw. We’ll still serve you even if you are contagious.
The Orioles are a MASH unit right now. Oriole manager Buck Showalter, third baseman Manny Machado and first baseman Chris Davis weren’t part of Wednesday’s 5-0 loss to the New York Yankees due to a nasty stomach virus.
Catcher Matt Wieters didn’t play due to a sore foot that was plunked by a pitch Monday. Adam Jones left Wednesday’s game with back spasms and Hyun Soo Kim is on the disabled list with a hamstring strain.
So the Orioles’ offense is leaking oil right now. And that’s understandable given the health situation.
But let’s also not make excuses. This team has scored just 10 runs in their first six games since the All Star Break. They’ve dropped four straight, plating just four runs in those contests.
Since scoring 23 times in two games at San Diego on June 28-29, the Orioles have tallied just 52 runs in their last 16 games (3.25 runs per game; they are 6-10 in that span), including eight times in which they have scored three runs or fewer.
We’ve talked so much about how the beleaguered rotation rankles you – Yovani Gallardo was OK on Wednesday, giving up four runs in seven innings – but now I want to know if you are a little concerned about this offense.
We’ve been saying it all year: This club will live and die by the homer. And when there is an extended power outage, the Orioles typically struggle to score runs. That especially could be the case with their three best on-base percentage guys, Kim, Machado and Davis, out of the lineup.
This offense is streaky, we know that. And so it’s likely this is just another blip in a long season and, ultimately, the hitters will be fine. But the roster construction is such that this is a big all-or-nothing group, and, like in 2012 and 2014, that may not play well if this club gets to the postseason.
The flip side, of course, is, ‘Lighten up, Connolly. No team plays well with the flu. They’ll eventually score runs in bunches. It’s what they do.’
I want to know your take on this.
Tap-In Question: Are you concerned about this offense? Why or why not?
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Not to turn a Third Eye Blind to the problem, but 'why don't you step back from the ledge my friend?'
You, "Mr. Bal'more" of all people, should (and do) know that what's going on right now with the bats (or lack of) was bound to happen. And that it would have happened with, or without the current flu epidemic. I'm sure they'll snap out of it shortly, and things will get back to normal. Most likely, this won't even be the last rough stretch of the year. It IS a shame though, that the team seems to have wasted the recent run of decent pitching.
Along with some chicken soup for the infirmed, I'm thinking why not go ahead an sacrifice a live chicken? Perhaps some new hats for Pedro's bats will help the problem? Trey Mancini perhaps?
Lighten up Dan! As Chico Escuelo once said ... "Pero eso es justo el béisbol"?
I just learned that the Indians did a sacrifice earlier this year to help Yan Gomes bat. Bought a chicken from the grocery store. Funny stuff
Greetings Dan,
First off, hey Boog Robinson don’t forget the rum to go with the live chicken!
Doctor Dan I believe more tests, cat-scans and x-rays are needed before we write a presubscription for treating on our offense. Boog is right we all knew it was going to be feast or famine. The other Dan, Duquette, at the beginning of the season knew pitching would be an issue league wide so he carved a team out of slugging marble in the hopes of outscoring the opponent.
I don’t think I can be more cliché’ but, that’s why we got to play them all. (my apologies to those groaning) Would say more but my coffee break is over got to go empty bed pans, air sick bags (or those oval shape plastic bowls), and serve some vitamin c. Wait! our outfield just couldn’t handle the overt cliché’ time to drop some saw dust and sweep, mop, and sanitize.
My bad Rebus ... hopefully Jobu will forgive me.
may Jobu forgive us all :)
Yes and no. Im not concerned about guys like Adam Jones, Trumbo and Manny but I am,concerned about the offense from LF. Yes Rickard is hitting well as of latw but with Kims injury and lack of production from Nolan Reimold,might need to add another bat to put back there in LF.
It's easy to forget, but when the O's fell out of the race in late August last year, it was the offense -- not the pitching -- that was the culprit. They scored just 35 runs over a 13-game stretch (2.7 runs/game) starting on August 20, losing 12 of the 13 games.
wow I reject you reality and replace my own fantasy!
I like the way you think (or don't think) Rebus !!!
Jeepers Steve .. you just killed my buzz. Barkeep, I think it's time to cut this man off!
Sorry Boog, but I had to do it :)
I never serve him Boog. He scares me.
I will be come the postseason, if they make it. This type of offense just does not bode well for postseason play. Home run bats go silent against playoff pitching. My concern since day one is the starting rotation. Bottom three in the entire MLB in every meaningful category. Embarrassing.
Totally with you on both accounts SMac
While it's frustrating to see the offense go through a spell like this, I'm not overly concerned about it. They'll break out of this.
I think they will too. But the propensity to drop into these serious funks concerns me for the postseason.
Offense - NO
SPitching - YES
Spitching -- big yes.
I'm not too worried about the offense, just a blip in the long season. It'll come back around. Hopefully having a few home games in a row will help.
I don't mind the down time happening now. The O's have shown their mettle through half a season and the woes or flaws so many 'fans' like to point out. The game isn't any fun if the team you like makes it look easy. I like that they get sick like I do. They have slumps like I do. They have families. They have problems. I'm jealous of the folks that are natives and die hard life long fans. I played ball in my youth. Grew up an Astros and Dodgers fan with guys like Jose Cruz and Fernando Valenzuela. The O's are my team now as of spring training for this season. I,haven't paid any mind to baseball in decades and the game hasn't changed nearly as much as the heart and culture have. Hyun Soo Kim is a stud on this team. He is a solid ball player. Honestly, is there anyone (starter) on the team that hasn't homered? Run some comparative stats at us Don let's see how we stack up this season to the O's playoff teams of the past or to our rivals this season. This team has character and skill.
Sorry DAN autocorrect strikes again. Forgive me please.