O-vation

 

The Baltimore Orioles are in position to potentially win 100 games this year.

I mean, it's not definite, but there's 21 games left to be played, they'd need to go at least 13-8 to reach 100, and they've been 13-4 since mid-August [I wrote this before the Angels game last night], they've done a great job of keeping the momentum strong, and they've shown few signs of slipping despite losing Felix Bautista. It could happen. And it's something that hasn't happened since 1980, a year where nobody currently playing on the Orioles was even born yet. Funnily enough, they've lost 100 games 4 times in that period.

That is odd to me, by the way, that it's been 40+ years since the O's have won 100 games. I'd thought won of the late 90s teams could, or maybe one of the mid-10s teams could, but not the case. That also means that Cal Ripken went his entire career without being on an O's team that won 100 games. Yet Earl Weaver managed five.

The Orioles have come this far in 2022 thanks to the smooth development of their youth pieces. Gunnar Henderson had a slow April, but came into his own and is a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. Grayson Rodriguez struggled in several first-half starts, but since his return from Norfolk he's been a new pitcher, with a 2.85 ERA, a 3-1 record and 48 strikeouts. The preestablished pieces, such as Cedric Mullins, Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle, Anthony Santander and Austin Hays, have all put in excellent seasons. And now even Jordan Westburg is looking good as someone who could take over 2nd from Adam Frazier next year.

The other really impressive part has been the leveling of the rotation. It's very funny that several figures you'd think would factor into the pitching rotation heading into the season, like John Means, Bruce Zimmermann, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin, haven't really had much impact on things lately. That does means it's more of an anonymous rotation, but I do feel like slowly, someone like Kyle Bradish or Dean Kremer will make themselves known. Kremer has done what he always does, in start shakily but level things out down the stretch with some really consistent starts. He also leads the team in strikeouts this year with 139, which is pretty cool. That Bradish, Kremer and Rodriguez have been so strong this year, even when actual rotation vets like Kyle Gibson and Jack Flaherty are here to ensure they don't need to do as much, makes me very confident in this team's future. Cause imagine if Means comes back ready next year. The groundwork has already been laid.

And as good as this team has been this year, the future still intrigues me. The kind of team they'll be when they don't need the training wheels vets, and can just coast on their excellent youth pieces. Imagine how good they'll be when they can bring up Jackson Holliday. Maybe it's next year. Imagine what that could bring them. 

I really hope the Orioles accomplish great things going forward. I hope they can get past 100 wins. I hope they go deep in the playoffs. I hope they stay this good. It's honestly awesome to watch.

Coming Tonight: In a week where the conversation on suspensions has reawakened, a guy who did his time and is back to what he does best, regardless of whether or not you feel good about him.