Baltimore Orioles showing signs of competence

For the first time in nearly two years, the Baltimore Orioles are showing signs that they could actually be competent.

Let us go back in time to August 2017. During that month, the Baltimore Orioles posted a 17-12 record, ending the month with a 68-66 record. Their somewhat confusing decision to add for a postseason push began to make sense, as the Orioles had moved themselves back into the playoff picture.

And then, September happened. The Orioles were 7-20 down the stretch, collapsing under the weight of actual expectations and hope. Baltimore tumbled to a 75-87 final record, finishing last in the AL East. So much for that postseason push…

In fact, August 2017 would be one of the few times that the Orioles would even win double digit games in the month. They managed ten victories in March/April this year, although it took 30 games to do so. Needless to say, it has been another long year for Birdland in 2019.

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Yet, there are some signs of hope. Despite trading away one of their better pitchers in Andrew Cashner, the Orioles have displayed some signs of competence this month. With their off day Wednesday, and an 8-5 victory over the Padres on Tuesday, the Orioles will have posted a 12-12 record for July.

Just how bad were the Orioles in that time between non-losing months? Well, they managed to have seven months with 20 losses. Considering that there had been 11 months in the season between that winning August 2017 and July, that amount of losing is sort of impressive.

Prior to July, the Orioles best month over that stretch came last July. During that month, the Orioles were 9-16, hardly a record that would lead anyone to think it was a positive. And yet, for Baltimore, that was as close to a positive as they had.

There are some potential building blocks going forward at the major league level. Chance Sisco has performed at a slightly above average clip since returning from the minors, posting a 106 OPS+ this season. John Means, the Orioles lone All Star representative this year, ranks seventh amongst AL pitchers with a 3.7 bWAR this year. Baltimore is starting to develop intriguing players as well in their system, not to mention Adley Rutschman, the first overall pick in June’s amateur draft.

The Baltimore Orioles are still a long way from contention. However, managing to have a month at .500 is a step in the right direction.