Thursday Thoughts: Streaks Not O’s Typical Formula, but It Works

This is a weekly column that dives into eight random thoughts about the Orioles/MLB. Why eight? It’s a nod to Cal Ripken Jr. of course. That, and doing 2,632 of these would be a little overboard. – A.S.

1. Following yesterday’s win in San Diego, the Orioles have now notched three different winning streaks of seven games this season. They had one to start the season, one in May, and now one in June. Let this serve as your quick reminder that the Orioles had just two seven-game winning streaks between 2000-2015.

This year’s Birds are streaking through their schedule, and while they aren’t running away with the best record in baseball or anything, they are getting the job done. Typically we’ve seen the O’s win two out of three games in a series and make their mark that way – that was the formula in 2014. This year, they are beating the teams they are supposed to beat.

This past week-plus against the Padres and Rays says it all.

2. The Orioles have increased their lead in the AL East to more than five games, and don’t show any signs of stopping. I still don’t believe the O’s are going to run away with the division. There are still too many warts on the team and the others still have the potential to turn things around. But for right now, everything is black and orange.

It’s especially bad in Boston, where Red Sox nation appears to be imploding. They can’t figure out why David Price has turned out to be a bust to this point, and there are many calling for John Farrell to be fired. Go take a peak at virtually any Red Sox beat writer’s Twitter timeline, and you’ll see many of them fending off angry fans with pitchforks.

It’s a joy to watch.

The weakest part of the Orioles roster is still clearly the starting pitching, but they may actually have the second best rotation in the division behind the Rays. Tampa Bay is also likely the only team already out of the running for a division title unless something wacky happens. That’s not something many would’ve predicted.

3. The Orioles are not only flying high, but starting to get healthy as well. Vance Worley is making his way back to the team, and will continue to provide an underrated role in the bullpen. We all saw how tough it was for Oliver Drake to clean things up in San Diego. Worley can step into that role and the long relief one and be a contributor.

Darren O’Day is still rehabbing his injury, but he’ll eventually make his way back to the eighth inning as well. I was asked earlier this week on the Bird’s Eye View podcast about whether or not O’Day should go back to his regular set-up role, and I definitely think he should. Brad Brach will slot back in the seventh inning nicely. O’Day was injured to start this season, that’s why he didn’t perform as well as he could’ve. Once healthy, he should go back to being the pitcher he’s always been.

Finally, Caleb Joseph is slowing progressing from his unfortunate injury as well. It will be nice to have him back with the team in a backup role, though Francisco Pena has filled in admirably in his absence.

4. All-Star voting ends today, and while there are sure to be snubs, the Orioles should be well-represented. Manny Machado is virtually a lock to start at third base while Mark Trumbo is almost definitely making the team, even if he’s not voted in as a starter. I’d also look for him to take part in the Home Run Derby.

Aside from those two players, there are still many other opportunities for O’s to head to San Diego in a few weeks. Matt Wieters has been outstanding virtually all season (as I documented for MASNSports.com earlier this week) and has a good chance to be named a reserve. Zach Britton has been one of the better closers in the game and could get a nod, along with Chris Tillman, who is doing his part as well. Brad Brach SHOULD be an All-Star, though may get left out because he’s a middle reliever. That’s a shame.

There’s always a chance that Chris Davis and Adam Jones get selected, but likely will be left out because of the need to include a representative from each team. Those two may have had slow starts to the season, but have come on strong. Jonathan Schoop has gotten a ton of buzz lately because of his hot hitting, but is just one of the more under-the-radar players that likely won’t get the recognition of an All-Star nod any time soon.

Overall, there’s going to be no reason to gripe about the Orioles that do make the team, because they will have a few representatives and a fun time will be had by all. We’re long past the days of George Sherrill, Ty Wigginton and Tony Batista being the lone reps during a season for the O’s.

5. The Orioles’ power now has them in the record books. With a home run today against the Mariners, the O’s would set a new record for homers in the month of June. They tied the mark of 55 yesterday against the Padres, and now share it with the 1996 Oakland Athletics.

If the O’s get really homer happy at Safeco Field tonight, they could tie or break the mark for homers in any month (58). That’s held by the 1987 O’s, who did it in May and coincidentally, the 1999 Seattle Mariners who also did it in May. What’s more, the ’96 A’s needed 29 games to reach the 55 home run mark while the O’s reached it in just 27 games.

It’s thrilling that the O’s are crushing such an enormous amount of homers and the weather is really just starting to heat up.

6. While I’m looking forward to seeing what the Orioles do over this weekend in Seattle, I’m really looking forward to next week. The Orioles travel to Dodger Stadium, which means I get a treat. While I love listening to the MASN broadcast on most nights, next week I’ll be tuning into Vin Scully to hear what he has to say about the Birds. It’ll be the final rare instance where he’s calling an Orioles game, so I’m going to take advantage by soaking it in. Perhaps he’ll tell an interesting story about Mark Trumbo or share an odd tidbit about Brad Brach. Either way, I’m looking forward to all of it. Storytime with Vin is the best.

7. Much of the chatter over the last few weeks when it comes to the Orioles regards what they will do at the trade deadline. There’s only a month to go, so that talk is only going to heat up. It’s pretty obvious that the Orioles don’t have any great prospects to give up in deals. That’s been the biggest detriment to this club aside from the starting rotation.

That doesn’t mean the Orioles should sit on their hands come July 31st, however. Dan Duquette should start working on acquiring a reliever, preferably a left-hander, to add to his bullpen over the next month. The O’s could really benefit from an Andrew Miller-esque deal. That’s not to say they are going out to get someone of Andrew Miller’s capability, but adding another arm can only help.

It’s that rotation that’s the biggest weakness, and there’s no chance the O’s have what it takes to go out and trade for a legit starter. Might as well go to the other end of the chain and add a link there. When the O’s did this in 2014 with Miller, it worked out great. Many will gripe about giving up Eduardo Rodriguez, but that’s a deal that’s looking more and more favorable each day. Rodriguez, by the way, was just demoted to Triple-A this week after seeing his ERA balloon up to 8.59. Those are Ubaldo-like numbers.

The O’s don’t need to give up a top prospect because they don’t need a top relief arm. They need someone else to help carry the load that’s been worn by Zach Britton, Brad Brach and Mychal Givens thus far. The so-called “other guys” in the bullpen aren’t going to get it done all year. Darren O’Day’s return will help, but the O’s should be going after another arm as well.

8. Speaking of the bullpen, there’s been a lot of talk about a certain arm who is getting stretched out a bunch. Dylan Bundy is looking stronger and stronger each time out. Those outings have been few and far between, because Buck Showalter is giving him at least three or four days off.

Sounds like a starter, right?

Not so fast. I would still be surprised to see Bundy starting before September, when the roster is expanded. I really don’t think he’s a legitimate option until next year, and even then, there’s still a lot of growth. Fans want to throw a lot on the shoulders of Bundy, but it’s important to remember that he’s still learning to pitch at the big league level. He’s essentially a Rule 5 pick from within the organization this year.

Bundy has logged fewer than 40 innings in his MLB career to this point. Hitters will adjust, and he’ll have to re-adjust. There’s a maturation process that is still working itself out here. It’s nice to see the way he’s pitched so far this year, but I’d expect him to remain in his current role for some time.

photos by Craig Landefeld/GulfBird Photo unless otherwise noted