Baltimore Orioles: Is there an unseen problem?

It’s tough to put one’s finger on what Miguel Gonzalez and the Baltimore Orioles are going through right now. I’m sure there’s someone out there who’s going to say they’re giving up too many runs, not hitting situationally, or something to that effect. I get that folks; it’s my job to watch the games and I’m seeing the same thing you are. But you have to wonder if there’s not more going on than what’s tangible on the field.

Gonzalez had a much better outing than he had produced in the recent past. Gonzalez’s line: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 3 K. In general those numbers might have been enough for the O’s to at least be competitive in the game. However when your offense can’t score runs, it’s tough to overcome giving up four.

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The Birds trailed almost from the beginning, as Adrian Beltre’s sac fly-RBI gave Texas a 1-0 lead in the first. Gonzalez then proceeded to throw a wild pitch, which allowed Shin-Soo Choo to score from third base. In the last of the third Elvis Andrus’ RBI-single ran the score to 4-0, and Alberto added an RBI-single in the sixth. Delino Deshields plated two runs in the last of the eighth on a Steve Pearce error to close out the scoring.

For the Orioles right now it’s not just the losing. Some of the players look defeated before they even take the field. Please note, I’m in no way suggesting that guys aren’t trying or are just going through the motions. However sometimes there are issues on teams that fans and in some cases analysts can’t see.

This group of Birds has always been incredibly close. That’s part of the reason why they’ve been in contention every year since 2012. (And yes folks, contrary to what you might think, they’re in contention – although fading.) So if you’re looking for a reason for a swoon, I think you can throw some sort of clubhouse riff in the garbage.

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However it should come as no surprise that the likes of Paul Janish, Dariel Alvarez, and other “newbies” are the ones who are seeming to get on base of late. Heck, even throw Steve Pearce in there given the fact that he was off for about a month or so with an injury. So what I’m saying is that the O’s probably have some very tired bats in the lineup. Throw together a couple of losing streaks, and suddenly things don’t look so hot for playoff potentials.

So the good news there is that September call-ups will happen on Tuesday – perhaps a chance for the O’s to get some fresh bats and legs into the lineup here and there. The Birds will close out August this evening as they open up a short three-game home stand with Tampa. Wei-Yin Chen will get the ball for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Chris Archer. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Next: Orioles revisit disturbing 2-year old trend

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• Baltimore Orioles Sign RP Mychal Givens
• Gunnar Henderson: Destroyer of Four-Seam Fastballs
• Which Current Baltimore Orioles Pitchers Have the Best Curveballs?
• Orioles News: Should the O’s Pursue Eovaldi? + More MLB News
• Should the Baltimore Orioles Consider Signing Nathan Eovaldi?