Baltimore Orioles: What Got Into The Bullpen At Camden Yards?

The Baltimore Orioles may not be winning very many games, but the bullpen has been one of the best in baseball during the month of June.

Let’s play a game. I’m going to list three statements and you tell me which one is a lie. The Baltimore Orioles are just two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for fourth place in the American League East. The Baltimore Orioles have one of the top bullpens in the month of June. Miguel Castro and Mychal Givens have combined for one earned run this month.

It was a trap. All of those statements are true. Believe it or not, the bullpen of the Baltimore Orioles has performed extremely well over the past few weeks. In fact, the O’s bullpen ranks as the best bullpen in Major League Baseball during the month of June. I’m not kidding.

Since June 1st, the Orioles’ bullpen has amassed a 1.0 fWAR, just edging out the St. Louis Cardinals (0.9 fWAR) for tops in baseball. A unit that once caused many to turn their tv’s off or shudder in fear of what was about to happen is now performing so well, Brandon Hyde is considering replacing one of his pitchers for an extra bat on the bench.

Overall, the bullpen owns a 3.93 ERA (3.29 FIP), a 1.17 WHIP, 24.7% strikeout rate, and 9.6% walk rate. Opponents are hitting just .202 against the bullpen, thanks in large part to a 54.8% groundball rate, good for second in the majors behind the Cincinnati Reds. Want to know something even crazier? O’s relievers have surrendered only two home runs in more than 34 innings of work during the month of June.

While the recent success has been fun to watch, the bullpen still doesn’t bring about much confidence when watching a close game. Take Tuesday night’s game for example. The Orioles took a 3-1 lead into the 8th inning and Miguel Castro on the mound. Castro ended his run of five-straight scoreless appearances and gave way to Richard Bleier, meaning the inevitable use of Mychal Givens to close out the game was coming. My wife decided to call it a night, telling me to let her know how they were going to blow this game before heading off to bed. I shared her sentiment but stayed awake to watch the end of the game.

Bleier closed out the 8th inning, while Givens worked a clean 9th and looked dominant while doing so. I was shocked, but I loved it.

Relievers have been hot for the Baltimore Orioles this month.

Leading the way has been Miguel Castro. After allowing a 9.95 ERA and opponents to hit .345 against him in April, Castro has been nearly flawless in June. In five appearances, the fire-baller has given up one earned run on three hits across eight innings. Opponents are hitting just .120 against him and have struck out seven times.

More from Birds Watcher

No one has ever doubted Castro’s stuff, but his execution has been a serious issue with the Orioles. For now, I will just say that it’s a pleasant sight to see him pitching well. Hopefully, his positive improvements continue and fans can begin trusting him a bit more.

The most underrated arm in the bunch has been Shawn Armstrong. Claimed off waivers from Seattle after Mike Wright was DFA’d and claimed by Seattle, Armstrong has been dominant out of the pen. Since giving up six earned runs in eight innings with the Mariners, Armstrong owns a 1.69 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with the Orioles, striking out 18 across his 16 innings of work.

In five June innings, the 28-year-old has allowed just three baserunners (two hits, one walk) and has sat down seven of 20 batters faced with a strikeout. Does anyone know where Mike Wright is right now? He’s in AAA after posting a 9.00 ERA in seven appearances with Seattle. Kudos to Mike Elias.

Let’s also shoutout Mychal Givens. After being removed from the closer’s role, Givens has settled down and been effective for Hyde and the Orioles.

Givens gave up nine earned runs, four home runs, and nine walks in 12.2 May innings, ending with a 6.39 ERA for the month. He ended on a high note, striking out two in a scoreless frame against the San Francisco Giants. Givens has carried that positive outing over into June.

Last night against Toronto, Givens recorded his second save in three June outings, extending his scoreless streak to more than four innings. His month has been essentially flawless:

@ Texas: 0.2 IP, two strikeouts (save)
@ Houston: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K
vs Toronto: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 2 K (save)

We may be telling a different story come the end of June, but for now, the Baltimore Orioles are seeing solid success out of their bullpen, something I never thought I would say in 2019.

The Baltimore Orioles may not be winning very many games, but the bullpen has been one of the best in baseball during the month of June.

Relievers have been hot for the Baltimore Orioles this month.

More from Birds Watcher

Schedule