PERCEPTION IS REALITY: More Missed Opportunities

Reality: The Baltimore Orioles have scored 30 runs in their last four games, but are 1-3 in those games.

Perception: It seems the Birds have broken out of their hitting slump, for the most part. But as good as their bats have been, they have still struggled in areas. In those four games, they have left 35 runners on base and went 16-for-41 with runners in scoring position (.390). How many times can a team have the bases loaded and no outs and not score?

Reality: David Lough is hitting .171/.236/.220 in 91 PA.

Perception: He’s not living up to his potential. This can’t be what Dan Duquette had in mind when he dealt Danny Valencia to KC this offseason. As I said Monday in Perception is Reality, it’s time for Buck Showalter to move on from Lough for now. He has no options left, so he can’t be sent to the minors. If they don’t want to designate him for assignment and risk losing him to another team, then Buck at least needs to hide him on the bench. It’s not like Buck is using every player on the bench anyway. If he were then hiding a guy there isn’t easy. But when Steve Pearce and Delmon Young are there getting splinters on the bench, it’s time to make a change.

Listen, I know Buck is a player’s guy and he is loyal. But it’s hurting the team right now. Lough should not be in the starting lineup. He should not be hitting. As I said Monday, Lough should be used exclusively as a late inning defensive replacement. He proved as much last night, robbing the Indians of a three-run home run. But he’s still hurting the team offensively. When you have Nelson Cruz making a case for league MVP, there is no reason Cruz couldn’t play LF and give Pearce a chance at DH more often. Pearce has proven his worth every chance he has been given, but those chances are few and far between.

You can put Cruz at LF and if you need him to DH, then put Young or Ryan Flaherty out in left. Then rotate Cruz, Pearce, and even Young as your DH and only use Lough as a defensive LF replacement until he learns how to swing the bat effectively again. A .171 batting average and .236 on-base percentage? Just awful.

Reality: The Orioles have struggled to get all their guys on the field together.

Perception: First, there was Manny Machado starting the season on the DL. Then, JJ Hardy went down and then Chris Davis. Then, Matt Wieters. Then, Machado gets pulled from last night’s game with a groin injury as a precaution. Plus, Davis will probably miss Sunday’s and Monday’s games to be with his wife who is giving birth to their baby.

But even with all those guys missing time and with the issues with Lough and some others and losing two in a row and three out of their last four, the Orioles are still a game over .500 and are right in the thick of things in the AL East. Imagine what might happen when the Orioles are healthy and actually playing well! I’m still very optimistic about this season!