Yes, the Orioles rely on the home run ball – maybe a little too much. But they’re hardly unique in that regard these days. Press play or read the transcript below for more.
The Orioles’ power bats were on full display on Sunday afternoon, as the team mashed six home runs in their 11-3 drubbing of the Oakland Athletics. Highlighted by Manny Machado’s two dingers – one of which was also his second-career grand slam – it was a fun exhibition of power to watch indeed, as Pedro Alvarez, Mark Trumbo, Jonathan Schoop, and even Joey Rickard got in on the action. Given that it occurred on what seemed to be the first warm and sunny day in Baltimore this season, O’s fans are left dreaming about what could be as the weather really heats up this summer.
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Of course, many fans also temper their enthusiasm, because as we’ve seen many times, the bats of our Bash BrO’s can go cold in a hurry. Heck, look no further than last week. However, the O’s are hardly alone in this regard here in 2016. Joe Sheehan of Sports Illustrated points out in today’s issue that along with the O’s, two other teams, the Mets and Mariners, are scoring at least half their runs on home runs. Only one team in history – the 2010 Blue Jays – managed that over a full season. Nearly 40% of runs in MLB are scored via the long ball these days. Even the Royals, everybody’s favorite example of small-ball savvy, and the two-time defending AL Champs, have scored 37% of their runs via the homer this season.
The O’s aren’t alone in relying on round-trippers. So instead of fretting over a couple of runners left on, sit back, relax, and wait for the next hanging curve to get quickly turned around and sent on a one-way ticket out of the Yard.
