Baltimore Orioles: Whats right and wrong with the bullpen
The Baltimore Orioles have strung together a streak of solid years from their relief pitchers. However, some may question if that run will continue after six games in 2018.
After six games in the 2018 season, the Baltimore Orioles find themselves with a 1-and-5 record and are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres for worst in the majors. Undoubtedly, there isn’t a team in the majors – or sports in general – that wants to be the worst, however, someone will be.
Aside from their colder than cold offense, the Orioles bullpen hasn’t looked good at all. Behind appearances from Darren O’Day, Pedro Araujo, Richard Bleier, Miguel Castro, Mychal Givens, Nestor Cortes and Brad Brach, the bullpen has allowed 14 earned runs in 22 innings.
Their collective ERA sits at 5.73.
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Although Orioles starters have been struggling to make it out of the middle-innings, bullpen innings are keeping pace with the other teams in the AL East. Entering play today, relievers for the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have tossed 24.2, 23.1, 22 and 19 innings, respectively.
What’s gone wrong?
It’s a long leap from Single-A minor league hitters, to major league hitters. For Rule-5 picks Araujo and Cortes, they’re finding this out the hard way.
Araujo has allowed five runs in 3.1 innings, and Cortes has given up two. They were both involved in the Houston Astros‘ five-run seventh inning Tuesday night, but Araujo was charged with four of the five.
Opponents are hitting .400 versus Cortes through 17 appearances, and are slugging .538 versus Araujo.
Welcome to the big leagues.
What’s gone right?
Brach has settled in nicely after his blown save in the ninth inning on Opening Day. Turning in back-to-back scoreless outings in Houston, he struck out three while only allowing one baserunner. Surely, he’ll get the chance to save another game.
Bleier has faced 14 batters and has allowed just three hits, although allowing one run.
And, Darren O’Day has been perfect in two appearances this season.
What’s up next?
The Orioles open a four-game series in the Bronx tonight, as they take on the Yankees. Andrew Cashner will start for the Orioles, and Masahiro Tanaka gets the nod for New York.
Hoping for a few quality starts, Buck Showalter will be looking to avoid dipping into his bullpen too early. Andrew Cashner is 1-and-1 in three starts against the Bronx Bombers. In 20 innings, Cashner has an ERA of 1.80.
In order of their starting lineup, Brett Gardner is 2-for-8 lifetime against Cashner. Aaron Judge is 0-for-2 with a strikeout, Giancarlo Stanton is 1-for-7 with two strikeouts, and Didi Gregorius is 4-for-16 with a home run. Gary Sanchez is 0-for-3 with a strikeout, and Neil Walker is 2-for-10 with two doubles. Neither Tyler Austin, Tyler Wade or Miguel Andujar have faced him.
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The Orioles must pitch better. With short outings by the starters, it’ll be tough for this relief corp to match the sub-4.00 ERAs over the past four seasons.