The Orioles were looking to put their first losing month of the season behind them in game one of a three-game series against the new look Texas Rangers. That is exactly what happened behind a dominant pitching performance by Dylan Bundy. The young right-hander allowed only one hit in a career high seven innings pitched while also striking out seven.
I’m trying not to get over hyped…but who cares?! Bundy has looked like the pitcher that everyone thought he would be and has provided a huge spark to a rotation that badly needed another arm. The organization has said that Bundy will continue to pitch as long as he is feeling strong which should be considered great news for the rotation and the team moving forward. Bundy is not afraid to attack hitters or use his secondary pitches, which bodes well for his long-term success.
Kevin Gausman, are you paying attention?
O’s Add to Rotation & Bench at Deadline
Just like the addition of Yovani Gallardo in the offseason, the trade for Wade Miley doesn’t do much for me. The veteran left-hander has proven throughout his career that he is average-to-below average and will now pitch for his fourth team in three seasons.
In fairness to Miley, he has pitched well since the start of July and is coming off his best start of the season with seven innings pitched while allowing one earned run and striking out nine. The hope is that Miley can continue this for the remainder of the season and help push this team to the postseason. With Miley under contract next year, there’s a chance the rotation that finishes this season could be the one heading into 2017.
The Orioles also acquired a familiar face in Steve Pearce and the veteran utility player will try and provide a boost to the lineup, especially when there is a lefty on the mound. The Orioles failed to acquire Melvin Upton Jr. so this is their Plan B. Nolan Reimold has proven he can’t be counted on so this team needs another right-handed bat as Hyun-Soo Kim and Pedro Alvarez will remain out of the lineup when a left-hander is pitching.
Pearce should be able to provide that and the hope is when Joey Rickard is back, a Pearce-Rickard combo will be able to contribute against left-handers.
We will get to see Pearce in action tonight as he will be in the lineup against Cole Hamels.
Davis Struggling
Like the Orioles offense, Chris Davis has to be doing back flips that the month of July is over. The first baseman finished the month with a .153 batting average and only three home runs. Since the All-Star break, Davis has collected only six hits with 22 strikeouts. I wish I can say this is the worst we have seen Davis, but his 2014 season overall was a disaster. What makes it even more frustrating is the fact he batted .284 in June with nine home runs and was looking like the player that dominated in the second half of last year.
This team needs Davis to snap out of this funk as they have committed long-term to him and it doesn’t appear Buck Showalter is going to move him down in the order. At times, Mark Trumbo has carried this offense, Manny Machado has carried this offense, Adam Jones has carried this offense.
It’s now time for Davis to carry this offense.
Boston & Toronto Improve at Deadline
I’m not saying the Orioles didn’t as they added a starting pitcher, another bat and even a reliever in Logan Ondrusek from Japan, but the Red Sox, and to an even greater extent the Blue Jays, added quality talent to help make the push for the final two months.
The Orioles have struggled on the road and are about to head out on a 10-game road trip which will also take them out west. The schedule is about to get tougher and for now, this appears to be the team the O’s will have for the remainder of the year.
The offense needs to wake up as that will be their ticket to get to October. The Orioles have proven able to overcome the odds under Showalter, but they are going to be put to the test down the stretch with the likes of the Red Sox and Blue Jays having a better roster on paper.
