Orioles hit high notes and raise concerns in small sample size

Through the first five games, the Orioles are averaging more than six runs and 10 hits per game, among the league leaders. They’re also hitting a.305 with a stellar .881 OPS, also ranking in the top of the majors.

Their pitching, with a 4.60 ERA, isn’t anywhere near the best in baseball.

I’m not sure what can be gleaned from 3 percent of the season, but there are real positives as well as areas for legitimate concern.

The offense is strong and diversified

In their three wins, the Orioles have scored 12, 9 and 8 runs, and they’ve done it without one of the best players in baseball, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who’s nearing a return after straining a right intercostal muscle on February 27th.

Henderson is eligible to return on Thursday, so the team must play at least one more game without him. He’ll make the lineup stronger and help make up for the absence of outfielder Colton Cowser, who fractured his left thumb on a dive to first base in Toronto on Sunday and will be out at least six to eight weeks.

The Orioles will play Heston Kjerstad, Ramón Laureano and Tyler O’Neill more in the outfield. Even though the team recalled Dylan Carlson from Triple-A Norfolk, he could find himself back with the Tides when Henderson returns.

If you were wondering if the Orioles would finally give Kjerstad an extended opportunity, the time is here. With Cowser out until perhaps June, that should be a good demonstration of Kjerstad’s potential as a major league hitter.

In other years, Carlson might have gotten a real chance to play now, but with Kjerstad, Laureano, O’Neill and Cedric Mullins with Jorge Mateo serving as an emergency backup, there may not be room for another pure outfielder.

Monday’s win was impressive. The Orioles, who hit six home runs in last Thursday’s opener in Toronto, had eight singles and one double in a 3-1 loss on Sunday. They followed it with 15 hits. Thirteen were singles and they hit two doubles. They also were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position on Sunday, and 6-for-18 on Monday.

Five players—Tyler O’Neill (four hits), Jackson Holliday, Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins and Ramón Urías (two hits each) were responsible for 12 of the 15 hits.

It will be interesting to see the team’s plans for Mateo once Henderson returns. Mateo has started twice at shortstop, and is hitless in six at-bats.

After having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, Mateo didn’t have much of a spring training (five games), and some extra at-bats in simulated games in Sarasota.

With Henderson playing shortstop, will manager Brandon Hyde find some time for Mateo in the outfield? The Orioles also have Urías, and the underrated infielder keeps reminding us why he’s on the team.

The bullpen is a legitimate concern

Each of the starters — Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer, Tomoyuki Sugano and Cade Povich — has pitched once, so it’s far too early to delve into their performances.

Those five have combined for a 6.70 ERA while the bullpen has a 2.70 ERA.

In the first five games, only Eflin completed six innings. Kremer, who pitched 5 1/3 on Saturday, was the only other starter to go five or more. Hyde said that Sugano would have pitched at least five had he not developed hand cramps.

Asking for four or more innings regularly from the bullpen is not sustainable in the long run. The Orioles will need to get starters through six innings more often.

Félix Bautista still needs time to be judged. He’s coming off Tommy John surgery, but went 19 months between regular-season pitching performances. Bautista was used twice in the first five games of the season. He entered Saturday’s game with a four-run lead and pitched a scoreless ninth. In Monday’s home opener, he came in with a five-run lead and struggled to get out of the inning in an 8-5 win.

In normal circumstances, Bautista might not be called upon with such a large lead, but Hyde wants to avoid having the big man warm up without appearing in a game.

The bullpen could be strong. Bautista, Yennier Cano and Gregory Soto have each been All-Stars and Hyde likes Seranthony Domínguez, too. Domínguez has an outstanding postseason ERA of 1.02 in 17 appearances.

Keegan Akin and Cionel Pérez have both earned Hyde’s trust, and Bryan Baker and Matt Bowman have been effective. Bowman replaced Albert Suárez, who’s on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

Only Akin, Bautista and Cano have options left, so it’s likely when bullpen moves are necessary, those who are dropped will have to pass through waivers after they’re designated for assignment.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.