Baltimore Orioles Early-Season Woes

Baltimore's Difficulties in the Lineup and on the Mound

May 6, 2009

The Baltimore Orioles are struggling out of the gate this season, and a lack of hitting and poor pitching are the culprits. Part I of this series highlights the issues.

As the Baltimore Orioles head into a seven game home stand at Camden Yards that will include a weekend series against the New York Yankees, they are reeling in the midst of a 2-8 record over the past ten games. The Orioles started the season 6-2 but now stand at 10-17, and without a fairly quick early-season correction may be headed for another last place finish in the American League East.

Orioles Lineup Bottom Third Production

A large part of the Orioles struggles can be found in the lower third of their batting order. While none of the players slotted by Manager Dave Tremblay and President, Baseball Operations, Andy MacPhail were expected to contribute at the plate in significant ways, neither did they expect such meager production. Of the players batting regularly in the sixth through ninth slots, none is hitting above .250 or have over 10 runs batted in:

The result is an extremely heavy dependence on run production from the top end of the batting order. While American League pitchers many not necessarily pitch around hitters such as Luke Scott, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora early in the game, they will as the game progresses, not fearing facing any of the lower order hitters who pose little threat to a lead with runners on base.

Baltimore Orioles Pitching Staff ERA

The Orioles starting pitching staff is struggling, evidenced by an average 5.63 ERA among the primary starters (five or more starts):

In particular, the starters are having trouble ending innings, giving up far too many hits and runs with two outs. At the same time, the starters give back runs in innings directly after Oriole hitters produce runs, placing even more pressure on hitters’ production.

The Oriole bullpen is also struggling, as both middle relievers Dennis Sarfate and closer George Sherrill have given up three home runs each in under 12 full innings pitched.

Baltimore’s Near Term Outlook

So long as probable all-stars Roberts, Markakis, and Jones remain healthy and productive at the top of the line-up, the Orioles should remain able to stay in most games. The return of Melvin Mora helps to shore up the middle of the order, along with Scott and Huff, and overall the Oriole defense is very solid. In particular, Markakis and Jones cover huge amounts of outfield territory, and Markakis possesses one of the best throwing arms in the game.

Without any threats at the bottom of the order, and with pitching suspect from game to game, the Orioles will be just good enough to win some games, but just inconsistent enough to lose more of those games.

Orioles in the Farm System

Part II of this series will focus on players currently in the farm system and on their way up, eventually, to the big club.

The copyright of the article Baltimore Orioles Early-Season Woes in Major League Baseball is owned by Marc Bastow. Permission to republish Baltimore Orioles Early-Season Woes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.