Thursday Thoughts: O’s Bullpen is Suddenly Shaky

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. If you asked me what I’m most worried about as the season reaches the homestretch, the answer might not be what you think. The Orioles bullpen worries me more than it has in recent memory. Sure, Zach Britton has been fantastic. But the injury to Darren O’Day creates a ripple effect that can’t really be fixed quickly.

Perhaps the biggest worry is Brad Brach, who has been fairly awful since the All-Star break. I don’t really blame Brach either. He picked up a ton of slack with O’Day out in the first half of the season. He has to be wearing down. Not that it’s any massive indicator, but I dropped Brach from my fantasy team this week.

He’s not putting up the type of numbers he was, and that’s hurting the O’s. The Orioles need to find some solution over the next few weeks because the starters still aren’t pulling their weight.

2. Speaking of starters, the Orioles’ best one is now giving us worries as well. Chris Tillman has a shoulder ailment that pushed back his scheduled start. I like that Tillman is being cautious and not pushing himself through what appears to be a minor injury, but if it’s not minor the O’s are in trouble.

They’ve already been filling a five-man rotation with 2.5 pitchers all season long. Taking away their best one would be tragic. When Tillman says he’s had aches and pains before, but “nothing like this,” it bothers me.

3. And speaking of injuries, I don’t think anyone has dealt with more nagging ones this year than Adam Jones. The O’s centerfielder just keeps ticking though. Jones is about the toughest son of a gun in baseball.

He gets way more grief than he should for his approach at the plate too.Jones is a veteran now, and is the player he’s been from the start. Anyone can argue that watching him is frustrating at times, but no one can argue that he puts up results that are some of the best in the game.

He’s not only a leader on the field, but a leader off of it. Perhaps no player battles through injuries in the way that Jones does. He’s a gamer through and through.

4. More on injuries, is Steve Pearce still hurt? He missed a few games with an arm injury, and I’m wondering if it’s still not bothering him. What else would be the reason for having Chris Davis play right field and sticking Pearce at first base? It seemed strange to me.

Pearce did make a nice throw on a double play down to second base the other night, but perhaps throws from the outfield are still bothering him.

I don’t like seeing Davis in the outfield. He’s an outstanding defensive first baseman. Pearce can hold his own just about anywhere, but the whole thing just seems fishy. If Pearce’s shoulder is still bothering him, I’d have almost rather seen him backdated to the disabled list to get it right.

What’s happening now appears to be potentially hurting the defense.

GulfBird Sports/Craig Landefeld

5. Looking at last night’s lineup was a bit shocking for me. Was Hyun Soo Kim really getting a start against a left-handed pitcher? Did Buck Showalter finally come around to the dark side? The fact that Nolan Reimold has been getting the starts in left field over Kim is baffling.

Kim deserves the shot to go up against lefties until he really proves he can’t do it. He’s had fewer than 20 at-bats against left-handers, and while he’s yet to get a hit, the sample size simply isn’t there yet. I want to see more of Kim on all fronts. Let him prove, or disprove, that he can handle it.

6. Hearing chants this week of “Let’s Go Red Sox” at Oriole Park was a bit alarming. I felt like I was being taken back into the dark ages of Orioles baseball. I understand that many of these folks aren’t actually from New England. Northern Virginia’s presence in Camden Yards was strong.

I got into a spirited debate on Twitter about attendance and why there weren’t more Orioles fans in the seats this week. None of it really matters to me, honestly. I don’t care who goes to the games or why they are going. I think it’s great to see orange in the stadium and create an atmosphere, but these things cost money. I can’t tell people where to use their budget. It’s much more cost-effective, and sometimes more enjoyable, to watch the game on your big screen at home.

Where I know attendance won’t be an issue is in the playoffs. If the Orioles make it there, you can bet the stadium will be as orange as can be.

7. We need to talk briefly about Mookie Betts, but only briefly because I don’t want to cry. Is there a way to solve this guy? Should the Orioles just put him on base every time he comes to the plate? There has to be a better solution.

It’s not like Betts is picking on the Orioles. He’s having an outstanding season by any measure. The Orioles have to simply take better care around all of the Red Sox hitters, especially Betts. This is a lineup that can do damage at virtually every position. It’ll be a battle for playoff position down the stretch with Boston.

8. We’re only a few weeks away from September, which has me thinking about potential call-ups. I have to imagine the bullpen will be packed with players like Odrisamer Despaigne, Logan Ondrusek and Mike Wright.

There are also others who are currently injured who could get the call to help. Francisco Pena will likely be back as a third catcher. I think you could also see the likes of Dariel Alvarez and Julio Borbon up in Baltimore. The Orioles can use all the help they can get in the outfield.

GulfBird Sports/Craig Landefeld

What’s more is that I don’t see any infielders that could make a difference. Paul Janish could return, but he’s really just filler in case there’s an injury. I suppose Trey Mancini could get a call, but the Orioles already have three players on the roster who can play first base, four if you include Ryan Flaherty.

September will be a chance to provide depth for the team, but I can’t see many of these guys getting any considerable playing time if the Oriole remain in the thick of a playoff chase.