These outstanding numbers are fueling Orioles' winning streak

The Baltimore Orioles own the longest winning streak in baseball. Who would have thought that statement would be true two weeks ago, when the Orioles were 16-34. The O's have won six in a row and 10 of their last 14 games, putting Baltimore in a much brighter spot as the summer looms.

Improvements have shown in several ways over the past two weeks. Baltimore's pitching, especially the starters, was atrocious through the first two months. Now the rotation is leading the way as the O's inch up the American League Wild Card standings.

Orioles starters posted a 2.75 ERA in the last 14 games. Baltimore's starting pitcher earned the win in five of the six games on the current winning streak. The rotation ERA for the season went from 6.00 on May 20 to 5.12 before Friday's series opener against the Athletics.

The depth of starts from the rotation has saved a taxed bullpen. Orioles relievers are pitching exceptionally well during the streak, possibly a byproduct of being utilized in more precise situations. Baltimore's bullpen has a 1.69 ERA in the last six games and an MLB-leading 35.9 percent strikeout rate since May 30. Opponents have scored only 11 times during the Orioles' six-game win streak.

Timely hitting secures consecutive Orioles sweeps

Baltimore's offense hasn't exactly lit the world on fire over the last week. The O's are averaging 3.5 runs per game in the previous six and haven't scored more than five runs in a game since May 21. Turning baserunners into runs and a lead is the objective of the sport, and the Orioles recently found some late-inning magic.

The O's had multiple run-scoring extra-base hits in the sixth inning or later in all three games against the Seattle Mariners. They've scored a run in the sixth or later in four straight games. Baltimore also scored first in six of seven games, showing offensive range throughout a nine-inning affair.

Several players stepped up late to lead the Orioles to their longest winning streak since last June. Adley Rutschman hit .438 with an .813 slugging percentage in his last four games. Heston Kjerstad had a .913 on-base plus slugging percentage in his last five, and Colton Cowser homered in his first game back after missing two months with a fractured thumb.

The Orioles are middle of the pack in team batting average and OPS over the past week. They're eighth in slugging thanks to clutch home runs from Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and the improving Baltimore lineup.

Call it one good week or a sign of things to come for the Orioles, but it undoubtedly brought good fortune to Baltimore's clubhouse. The O's feel looser and are getting used to that winning feeling. They'll try to extend that euphoria in Sacramento this weekend.

“We’re just bought into winning every single day, and nothing’s really changed from us from the start of the year," Orioles pitcher Zach Eflin said, per Jake Rill. "We’re just winning now and we’re having fun and you can start to kind of feel it. It’s an addiction, and people are starting to feel it.”

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