The Birds finished July the same way they slogged through most of it – struggling, with very little offense. After averaging 6.6 runs per game in June, the O’s were at half of that – 3.3 – for the month of July as of the other day. Their six-run outburst on Sunday (in extras, we must note) was the first time they’d scored six runs in a game since July 6 in LA, also an extra-inning affair, and just the third time all month. They never scored more than six in a game in July.
Here’s to the bats heating up again sooner rather than later. To the links.
Orioles Acquire Unexciting, Generic Innings Sponge
Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs analyzes the Wade Miley-for-Ariel Miranda deal that the O’s and Mariners pulled off Sunday. He concludes that the M’s gave up Miley for a guy who might, one day, be as valuable as Miley, and says that neither O’s nor M’s fans should be too high or low on this deal.
Missing Playoffs Won’t Ruin Orioles
Our own Andrew Stetka, in his weekly MASN column, says that the O’s true colors may be starting to shine through, and as a result he’s a bit unsure that they’ll be able to hang on and make the postseason. As he tries to come to grips with this, he reassures us that it won’t be the end of the world. Hopefully, it’ll be a moot point, as the team rebounds in August and September to take home another division crown. Fingers crossed.
Is Dan Duqutte Done Dealing After Miley Trade? He’s Never Really Done Dealing
Dan Connolly of Baltimore Baseball says that he sees the chances of Duqutte pulling off another trade today at about 50/50. Still, he reminds us, DD won’t stop fishing to improve the team just because the non-waiver deadline passes. He’ll be working the phones and waiver wire throughout August, as he always does.
Gausman’s Struggles Due to Righties Crushing Him
Kevin Gausman was awful Friday, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning and instantly turning it into a 3-2 deficit thanks to home runs by Bautista, Encarnacion, and Tulowitzki. What do those guys have in common? They’re all righties, continuing a trend that’s plagued Gausman all season – he can’t get righties out, and they hammer home runs against him regularly. Camden Chat’s Alex Conway tries to figure out what the problem is.
Two Months Remain; How do the Orioles Compare?
Baltimore Sports and Life’s Rob Shields compares the Birds to the AL’s other playoff contenders, and the results are…well, not ideal. Rob says that the O’s outfield defense and starting pitching put them at a disadvantage, and while they’re offense is good (or, has the potential to be, as we saw in June), the other clubs fighting for the playoff spots can also mash.
And in Ravens news…
Word on the Street: Ravens Camp Studs & Duds
With four practices in the books, RSR’s Tony Lombardi runs down the list of who’s been good and who’s been bad out in Owings Mills.
