Why aren’t Orioles playing Cowser every day? | MAILBAG

Question: Based on Colton Cowser’s recent defensive play in center, I think he should be playing every day just as Gunnar Henderson is playing every day, and he has a lower slash line than Cowser. What do you think? From: Frank

Answer: Frank, I think Cowser’s defense has improved markedly, and his defensive metrics have improved greatly. Actually, Henderson’s slash line is better. His OPS is .714 to Cowser’s .692.

The problem is that Cowser has shown an inability to hit left-handers. He’s just 4-for-25 (.160) and hitting .238 against right-handers. While it’s easy to say, just put him out there against both right-handers and left-handers, he can develop bad habits quickly if he continues to not have success against lefties and it can bleed into his at-bats against right-handers.

I would like to see him play every day, too. He did in 2024 but hit .224 against left-handers versus .249 against right-handers. If he could narrow the gap, he’ll play more regularly.

Question: The Orioles have batted Taylor Ward first in at least 80 percent of their 88 games so far this season and he has five home runs and 23 RBIs.  But with the Los Angeles Angels over the prior three years, he averaged 25 home runs and 75 RBIs.  Why did the Orioles place him first in the lineup?  He and Henderson are not the best leadoff hitters.  Blaze Alexander and Leody Taveras could add more speed to the top of the lineup.  Why not try them? From: Mitch

Answer: Mitch, Taylor Ward batting leadoff in 61 games, which is 69 percent of the Orioles’ games, and yes, his power numbers have been disappointing, but even with his recent 0-for-19 slump, his on-base percentage of .378 is higher than Alexander’s .360 and far ahead of Taveras’ .324.

Alexander and Taveras could add more speed, but the aim with the top three or four hitters is to get as many runners on base, and Ward has been able to get on base. Lots of managers look at the No. 9 hitter, which Alexander has often been, as the second clean-up hitter late in the order.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.