Peter Schmuck and I share the same birthday, time together at The Sun, and a longtime friendship.
Our opinions can differ, though. Like when it comes to the Orioles.
Peter predicts their “laggard offense” will come to life when they see Boston’s Green Monster and the Red Sox pitchers. I hope he’s right, but the issues seem more deep-rooted.
In Sunday’s shutout loss to Tampa Bay, shortstop Gunnar Henderson had three hits and centerfielder Cedric Mullins had two. No one else got a hit. And they continued to look bad in their attempts.
Catcher Adley Rutschman’s average is down to a season-low .253 but more worrisome is the lack of power. He seems lost at the plate and has for a long time. Anthony Santander talked afterward about putting the ball in play with runners in scoring position, but he’s in one of those streaks where it’s easier said than done.
Ryan O’Hearn was more productive as a part-time player than the full-time player, and first baseman, he’s become in the absence of Ryan Mountcastle, whose power also had been missing before he hurt his wrist.
Colton Cowser is still struggling with offspeed pitches and then seems to get surprised on fastballs that he’s taking for strikes. Jackson Holliday is swinging under a lot of high strikes after getting off to a good start when he came back.
The Orioles miss Jordan Westburg, who gave them a balance they’re missing. They miss Mountcastle at first and the player he was when he was driving the ball to the opposite field (I still wonder if Camden Yards’ deep dimensions in left field have affected his approach).
Eloy Jiménez and Austin Slater have helped some since joining the team, but the Orioles need their draft picks to lead the way.
Fenway Park might relieve some of the pressure they’re feeling, and they might surprise by showing that hitting can be just as contagious as their collective slump.
I hope Peter is right, but I’m not optimistic that the Green Monster will awaken their bats.