The Orioles wrapped up what can only be considered a disappointing 4-5 homestand against the Red Sox, Astros, and Mariners on Sunday with a 3-2 loss to former ally Joe Saunders.
Saunders, who came into the game with a 4.65 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the season, wasn’t unhittable. He allowed eight hits in his six innings on the mound. He wasn’t dominant. But like at various points throughout the 2013 season, the Orioles struggled to cash in with runners on base and dropped to 17-18 in games started by a left-handed pitcher.
To say lefties have given the Birds trouble this year would be accurate, to say the least. Overall, the team is hitting .252/.300/.401 against left-handed starters compared to .271/.321/.459 versus starters who throw from the right side.
Through the first 112 games of this season the Orioles have scored 143 runs in 35 games against left-handed starters (4.1/gm) and 384 in 77 games against righties (5.0/gm).
As for some of the names who regularly appear on the lineup card, here are a few numbers for 2013 compared to their career against lefty starters. Most notable are the struggles this year of J.J. Hardy, Matt Wieters, and Brian Roberts.
It’s not a secret that Buck Showalter likes to tinker with his lineup. Steve Pearce, Alexi Casilla, and Danny Valencia each have more at-bats in games started by left-handers than they do against righties. Unfortunately, none have significantly produced with them. Pearce’s .266 average is the highest of the group and he was the only one with an OPS north of .700 prior to Valencia’s home run on Sunday.
Currently sitting 6.5 games back of the division-leading Red Sox, the clock is ticking for the Orioles to erase the deficit and the remaining schedule isn’t going to do them any favors. 29 of the team’s remaining games will come against the American League East.
That means the possibility of facing Jon Lester, Matt Moore, David Price, C.C. Sabathia, and Andy Pettitte multiple times exists. Those five boast a 70-18 cumulative record with ERAs of 2.72, 3.86, 2.60, 3.19, and 3.53 respectively versus the Birds over their careers. All represent numbers lower than what Baltimore is scoring this year against lefties.
Yes, this year’s team is different (and better) than some of the ones the above numbers were posted against. That being said, they are still quality pitchers who will likely be standing in the way of a playoff berth.
Some don’t like the division-heavy schedules in September, others do. For teams heading into the month within striking distance of the division lead, it gives them the opportunity to “control their own destiny” so to speak. If the Orioles are in that position, an improvement against left-handed starting pitchers will seemingly be required to get over the hump.
