Catching “Lightning in a Bottle”

Last year, “Orioles Magic” was in full swing. The team that no one from outside Baltimore thought could win proved everyone wrong when they just kept winning.

During the offseason, the phrase that I heard a lot was “Can they catch lightning in a bottle twice?” The fans and media were hoping the Orioles would make some big moves to try to improve a team that was good, but did need some help. However, for the most part the Orioles stood pat, not making the moves many were hoping for.

So far, it’s appearing like they, indeed, cannot catch lightning in a bottle twice. After two consecutive losses in late innings, I’m left feeling that the Orioles are missing the most important ingredient to postseason success…. pitching.

Last year, the Orioles starters were quality. None of us expected Jason Hammel and Miguel Gonzalez to be as good as they were. And certainly, no one knew the Birds bullpen would be as lights out as they were. You knew when it got to the 7th inning with a lead, the “hay was in the barn”.

But this year, it’s not the same. Chris Tillman has been good (not as good as his record indicates) but the bullpen has been a disappointment. Yes, Jim Johnson leads the league in saves, but it seems that the close games that we really need, he blows. And it’s not only JJ. The rest of the bullpen has been very inconsistent this year.

I think the most frustrating part for me is that the Orioles front office decided this year to “go for it.” Have they been moves to bring in #1 starters and a clean-up hitter? No, but if you thought that would happen, you are living in Boston, New York, or LA. But they went out in July and tried their best to make this club better. Trading for three pitchers in July is not easy, and it’s very unusual. But the Orioles went out and got three quality pitchers without giving up much at all.

Last year, we wanted the FO to do more during the season. They didn’t, but the team played well enough to get us a playoff win. This year, the Warehouse did their job, but the team is not following through on their end.

With less than 45 games left, the Orioles are 6.0 games out in the American League East. It’s not out of the question, but with two teams playing well in front of them, it would be really tough.

They are 2.0 games out of the second Wild Card spot, and just 2.5 out of the first, so they could still turn things around enough to grab one of those. Here’s the rub – the playoffs are about pitching, so unless their bullpen comes around, they won’t be able to do much in the playoffs, if they make it there.

Let’s hope I’m wrong!