There are a lot of numbers to throw out at you about how absolutely horrid the Orioles’ pitching staff has been in the past two-plus weeks.
But one particular number puts the stench in proper perspective.
16.
After losing 12-0 to the Cleveland Indians on Monday, the Orioles have allowed their opponents to score five runs or more in 16 straight games. According to baseball-reference.com, which has a database that goes back to 1913, that’s never been done in the American League – or at least not in the past 104 years.
The major-league record is 20 straight games of allowing five runs or more – set by the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies from Sept. 3 to Sept. 24, according to baseball-reference.com.
These Orioles now have second place all to themselves in this dubious chase. They previously were tied at 15 with the 2001 Colorado Rockies, the 1937 St. Louis Browns and the 1929 Philadelphia Phillies.
But they surged ahead Monday night in a game in which they allowed seven doubles, a triple and two homers.
Although it’s not exactly record-worthy, the Orioles also have allowed 10 runs or more in five of their last 10 games.
In those five games, the Orioles have been outscored 63-15. In the 16 games in which they’ve given up five or more runs, the Orioles have been outscored 123-64.
The rotation has been terrible. And so has the bullpen. Equal-opportunity implosion.
Consider that the Indians scored 12 runs on Monday, and actually stranded 13 runners.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about this stretch?
The Orioles are 5-11 and not 0-16.
Small victories, I suppose.
Different uniform, same Edwin
One of the Orioles’ private celebrations this winter was when slugger Edwin Encarnacion left his long-time team, the Toronto Blue Jays, for the Cleveland Indians and the American League Central. That meant the Orioles would have to face him only seven times a year and not 19.
Remember, the last time Encarnacion hit against the Orioles, he was taking his imaginary parrot for a ride around the bases to end the Orioles-Blue Jays’ American League Wild Card game.
Well, Encarnacion may no longer be a Blue Jay, but he is still an Orioles’ nemesis. Just in a smaller sample size going forward.
Encarnacion entered Monday with 34 doubles and 34 homers — most versus any team – against the Orioles in 127 career games. His 83 RBIs versus one team were his second most (Boston, 85) and his 128 hits were tied for his most (also 128 hits versus the Yankees).
He made a little personal history Monday at Camden Yards. His fourth inning, run-scoring double game him more hits versus the Orioles (129) than any other team. And it was his 1,500th career hit. At least it’s nice to know they didn’t all come versus the Orioles.
BALTIMORE—What happened? Craig Kimbrel came into the ninth looking for his 425th save. That would…
BALTIMORE—Brent Rocker’s 10th-inning RBI double scored Shea Langeliers, and the Orioles lost, 3-2, to the…
In his third rehab assignment, Oriole starter Kyle Bradish allowed a run on five hits…
Kyle Gibson led the Orioles with 15 wins and 192 innings pitched in 2023, the…
BALTIMORE—After just two hits in 34 major league at-bats over 10 games, Orioles executive vice…
It had to be the toughest decision Orioles executive VP/general manager Mike Elias has made…
View Comments
Dan, it's a good thing for you that you're not a fan, because I as a fan, I can tell you ....these numbers really hurt. 104 stinkin' years? Really? Thanks for pointing out the historical significance of that feat Dan.
I'm depressed beyond belief and find it hard to get up in the mornings. I'm vexed. I find my mind wandering at work, wondering "why go on ... what is the point"? Why does the universe toy with my Oriole soul? Dare I say it ... it's like '88 again. (I swore I'd never mention 88 ... but I can't help myself today)
And now we're to the point, where you have nothing better to write about the Birds, than how historically bad our pitching staff is. Hey, it's not your fault Dan, it is what it is. This staff sucks. New coach ... NEW CATCHER!?!! Makes you wonder 'eh?
I'm troubled Dan, so much so, that I can't wait for the winter meetings to start! I just have to avoid tall bridges between now and then.
Yes Dan, it sucks to be an O's fan this year. Count your blessings that you're not.
Go O's!!
(I'm trying)
Shocking to say Boog, but as bad as that '88 season was, Cal, Larry Sheets and company were merely losing. I don't remember them being routinely pulverized by double digits the way this team has been.
Dan .. is it possible to give 'Stache 15 yards for piling on in a baseball forum?
You're on to something there, Stache. The 1988 Orioles had 12 games all season in which they allowed double-digit runs. This year, the Orioles already have 9, and they've still got 93 games left to play.
Granted, this is a more offense-heavy era than 1988 was, so it's a little easier for teams to rack up double-digit runs than it used to be. But still, it's kind of a harrowing comparison.
Can't penalize for reality Boog. But I will say this: The Orioles pitching isn't this bad. It's not historically bad. It is in an historically bad skid. But there is talent there. In a long season, these valleys happen. I'm not sure the staff will get tremendously better. But it will get better.
The most amazing stat is the O's are only 5 games out of first with 90 games to play. So as bad as they've been playing, the season isn't over yet. I live in Dallas where the Rangers are 12 games behind Houston, even though they are playing better and have the same record as the O's. I'd prefer to be in the O's position.
The O's still have some fight in them - I hope. I haven't jumped......yet.
That is a crazy part. A very mediocre AL is allowing the Orioles to stay above water and not drown. So if the pitching staff does turn this around some, they still have a chance for the postseason. Baseball is goofy.
The O's dont' have a SP that could pitch 175-200 innings. That's in the entire organization.
Bundy, is exhausted. I'm a big fan of his and Gausman. Gausman has been a real disappointment to me. Tillman is gone, after 2017.
i seen where OF Austin Hays is being promoted to AA after all star break. i'd like to see Mountcastle get a look at AA also. He's young. Sedlock and Keegin are not showing any signs of moving up.
Going to be tough O;s BEAT THEM INDIANS FROM CLEVELAND!!!!!
This season is turning into that movie "The Revenant". You start out interested to see where the story goes, and from about a quarter of the way through and on you are just hoping DiCaprio would die already, as it's gotten uncomfortable to watch. Honestly Dan-o, if you were to say to hell with it and start posting articles about how Jeremy Maclin is adjusting to Joe Flacco, I doubt anyone holds it against you.
You know I made the joke last night that it was time to get BaltimoreFootball up and running. I was just joking. I think.
Don't give me other ideas ;)
I just bought that domain.
First a BBQ empire, now a webmaster :)
First an American Leauge MVP.