Orioles' offense explodes as Baltimore secures another winning homestand

The Baltimore Orioles continued their best stretch of the season over the weekend with a sweep against the Los Angeles Angels. The O's capped off a 4-2 week at home with an impressive offensive display Sunday, scoring 11 runs in a blowout victory.

Following the improvements of the pitching staff since mid-May, the Orioles were waiting for the lineup to produce at higher and more consistent levels. As they reach the halfway point of June, the O's bats are alive in full force.

Baltimore's offense is among the best in baseball this month, helping the Orioles win nine of their last 13 games. The O's are in the top five in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, and weighted runs created plus in June. After scoring 19 runs in three games against the Angels, the Orioles are averaging 4.6 runs per game this month.

There are still areas Baltimore needs to enhance. The O's have struggled to hit left-handed pitching all season, and their numbers with runners in scoring position remain among the worst in the league.

However, an increase in the power department makes the Orioles more of a threat. Baltimore has hit 19 home runs in June, more than any other American League team. After entering the month 19th in team slugging percentage, the O's have risen to 13th. They've crushed pitches too, ranking fourth in hard-hit rate and eighth in average exit velocity through June 15.

Orioles' stars carrying the offense as clubhouse vibes improve

Much of Baltimore's offensive misfortune this season came from a lack of production from its stars. Gunnar Henderson had a .315 on-base percentage entering June. Adley Rutschman's batting average was .203 before this month. Jordan Westburg missed six weeks with a hamstring injury before a June 10 return.

All three 2024 All-Stars are raking over the past two weeks. Henderson is hitting .383 in June and has reached base safely in 10 straight. Rutschman has a .998 OPS across his last 11 games with identical 12.5 percent walk and strikeout ratings. Westburg clubbed three homers in his first five games back in the lineup.

The Orioles' success in 2023 and 2024 was mostly due to an outstanding offense. Baltimore scored in bunches and launched homers more than most teams during those two seasons. It was a well-oiled machine, but the stars still led the way.

The past few weeks have lifted the O's hopes of resurrecting their playoff chances. That's unlikely to come to fruition unless Baltimore's stars can deliver. With Henderson, Rutschman, and Westburg rolling, the Orioles are following suit and dreaming of a second-half run.

"We’re kind of in it in a weird way. There’s some belief in there,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said, per Jake Rill. “It’s like, 'Now, if we can get to five under.' If you get to five under, then all of a sudden, eyes are open and you can kind of see it a little bit."

The Orioles begin June 16 with a 30-40 record. They're six games behind the final American League Wild Card spot. Keep an eye on the standings leading up to the All-Star break.

More Orioles news from Birds Watcher