The Orioles have some warts, and it’s no surprise that the starting pitching remains a huge question mark after a couple turns through the rotation. Still, in the A.L. East, it’s about taking advantage of other teams’ warts.
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Despite finally having a few losses under their belts, the Orioles are still flying high atop the American League East. Baltimore was the last team to lose a game to start the season, and is off to the hottest opening to the season in team history. It’s a far cry from 1988.
Perhaps the best thing about the 20-16 Orioles is their self-awareness. They know that they are a team with warts, just like every other in their division. For these O’s, it’s clearly the starting pitching staff that is the biggest, and ugliest of those warts. This isn’t unexpected. That’s not to say there won’t be good to come from the rotation this season. Buck Showalter is still molding and crafting it right before our very eyes. While Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez and Yovani Gallardo leave much to be desired at times, the back part of the starting five is still very much in flux. With those three, you tend to know exactly what you’re going to get. At times it’ll be very good, and others it will be scary.
Once Kevin Gausman returns from injury, more stability will be expected. Much will rest of the shoulders of the 25-year-old, but having him back will also give Showalter the ability to pick a fifth starter and bring more stability to the unit.
As the Birds make their way around the AL East this summer, they’ll notice four other teams will warts just as scary looking as their own starting pitching staff. The key is exposing that Rays offense or Boston’s starting pitching depth, the Yankees age and Toronto’s missing pieces with the pitching staff.
For these O’s – offense – looks great. Defense? Still wonderful. Bullpen? As nasty as ever. If they can highlight these elements while covering up the bad, it’ll be a fun summer in the toughest division in baseball.
