The O’s lost 24-2. What can we even say at this point?
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
So, quick question: can anyone tell me what the heck has happened to the Orioles?
My goodness. Even as someone who didn’t have particularly high expectations for the 2025 club — I predicted an 81-81 record, the most pessimistic of Camden Chat’s writers — I’m honestly shocked at just how awful they’ve frequently looked. Their 9-12 record is disappointing enough, but it hardly conveys just how many totally uncompetitive games they’ve played.
The O’s reached a new low yesterday with the second-worst loss by run differential in franchise history, a 24-2 embarrassment at the hands of the Reds. Poor Andrea SK had to watch and recap that train wreck of a ballgame. It’s hard to even pinpoint the most humiliating part. Was it that Charlie Morton continued to pitch like someone who probably just should have retired? Was it that Orioles pitchers allowed Cincinnati’s #8 and #9 hitters to combine for 13 RBIs, including six hits by former O’s catcher Austin Wynns, who is decidedly not a good hitter? Was it that the Reds used a bullpen game instead of a real starting pitcher and still held the Orioles’ offense to two runs?
It’s all just so, so bad. Don’t call it rock bottom, though. That would imply that there’s nowhere to go but up. For this club, I’m not sure that’s true.
So what happens now? For the moment, probably nothing, as unsatisfying as that may be to O’s fans who are calling for mass firings and DFAs. The Orioles aren’t going to make any significant coaching changes or jettison Brandon Hyde after just 21 games. Mike Elias isn’t going anywhere right now, even if his construction of this fatally flawed roster is deserving of scrutiny. The struggling youngsters who make up this lineup will continue to play. Even Charlie Morton is probably safe despite his 10.89 ERA in five starts, because frankly who is available to replace him? Injuries have devastated the depth of this team, and the minor league system won’t provide any immediate remedies.
So, yes, this current version of the Orioles — however maddening it may be — is the team we’re going to be watching for at least the next few months. There could be incremental roster changes here or there, but don’t expect the O’s to make any huge decisions about their future until at least the trade deadline, and maybe not until after the season. They may be hoping they can at least tread water until some injured players start to return and give the team a spark later in the season.
Maybe they’re right. There’s a whole lot of season left, and maybe the Orioles can turn things around. I’m just not particularly optimistic that they will. And games like yesterday’s certainly don’t inspire much confidence.
Links
Morton allows seven runs in 24-2 loss, Mateo and Sánchez used in relief (updated) – School of Roch
Brandon Hyde told Morton before the game how much they needed him to deliver a long outing. That worked so well that Jorge Mateo and Gary Sánchez ended up pitching.
What are the top 10 front offices in MLB in 2025? Here’s how 40 executives voted – The Athletic
In a recent poll of baseball executives, the Orioles were voted as the ninth-best front office in MLB. I wonder if any of those people are reconsidering their votes.
Orioles trade Scott Blewett to Braves for cash considerations – BaltimoreBaseball.com
Blewett is gone from the Orioles after two outings in which he didn’t allow any earned runs. If you’re wondering why the O’s jettisoned him so quickly while keeping multiple pitchers with 10+ ERAs, you’re not the only one.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 29th birthday to Orioles lefty Cionel Pérez, who’s now in his fourth year with the Birds. His 2022 season was a revelation, and because it’s his birthday, I will not discuss how things have gone for him since. Also, happy 78th birthday to “The Bee,” Orioles Hall of Famer and former AL Rookie of the Year Al Bumbry.
Other former Orioles born on April 21 include infielder Ryan Adams (38), catcher Ronny Paulino (44), and the 24-season left-hander Jesse Orosco (68), MLB’s all-time leader in games pitched with 1,252.
On this date in 1996, Brady Anderson hit a leadoff home run for the fourth consecutive game, but it didn’t help as the Orioles lost to the Rangers, 9-6. In fact, the O’s lost all four of those games, so all those early leads didn’t do them much good.
Random Orioles game of the day
On April 21, 2013, the Orioles lost to the Dodgers, 7-4, to avert the Orioles’ attempt at a three-game sweep. The O’s took a 4-1 lead before the Dodgers rallied for six unanswered runs. Starter Jake Arrieta had a meltdown in the fifth, putting the first three batters on base on two walks and a hit batsman, and all three runners eventually scored. The O’s optioned Arrieta to Triple-A Norfolk the next day, and he made only one more appearance in an Orioles uniform before they traded him to the Cubs in a trade that backfired spectacularly.