Reports: Orioles’ Jackson Holliday talks about long-term health condition and how it has become a threat to his career……Read more

Never jump to conclusions based on a tiny sample size. Decades of baseball statistics confirm this.

It remains, however, undeniable that the Orioles have been different—more thrilling—during the past week in contrast to the preceding month. layer-clever-close Logo In their past nine games, the Orioles have a 6-3 record.

They ranged from twelve to eighteen weeks earlier. Although there may not be a direct relationship between the two, the recent shakeup of the roster is undeniably a factor in the reversal.

During the days leading up to the trade deadline, Orioles general manager Mike Elias overhauled a struggling squad. With Cristian Pache’s brief stint counted, he added two platoon-type hits,  two relievers, and two starting pitchers.

Also, Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo, two of the team’s best prospects, were promoted. It’s impressive for any team, but especially for one that was leading the league and still regarded a World Series favorite—to undergo such a remarkable turnaround in the course of a single season.

At this point, the outcomes are evident. Within his initial five innings with the Birds, Seranthony Domínguez has walked one, struck out six, and allowed one run. That seems to be the perfect solution to alleviate the lockdown situation.

Eloy Jiménez, last week’s most unexpected target, has been outstanding for the platoon. His stats include five hits, two RBI, and a double. This kind of performance is remarkable, but it’s hard to imagine the Orioles liking him enough to exercise their $16.5 million option for next season.

The impact of Holliday’s return has been tremendous. The youngster has six hits, two HRs, two RBI, and two walks in five games. His confidence is through the roof and he’s striking the ball with regular force this time.

The Orioles’ current infield injury crisis made it clear that they would give him another start this season, as had been their plan all along. Obviously, not every adjustment has paid off just yet.

Not only did Trevor Rogers have a rough debut, but Gregory Soto had the same problem, and Mayo has yet to find his breakthrough. On the whole, nevertheless, progress is being made. Additionally, compared to a week or two ago, the roster arrangement is now more logical.

The Orioles now have five pitchers befitting a major league rotation thanks to Eflin and Rogers. Now that they have proven commodities, the Orioles don’t have to cross their fingers that Albert Suárez, Cade Povich, or Cole Irvin can make it through two passes through the batting order of the other team.

In particular, the addition of Eflin ensures that the Orioles will have three starters they can rely on in a postseason matchup. Though not as remarkable as a top three featuring Kyle Bradish, a group consisting of Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, and Eflin is solid and superior to all internal options.

Since Bradish’s announcement in mid-June that he will miss the remainder of the season due to Tommy John surgery, the rotation has never felt stronger. There are two ways in which this will help the bullpen.

To start, closer games and less innings pitched by relievers should be the results of starting games with real starters. Second, Suárez can return to his job as a substitute. In that role, he is more comfortable and has previously achieved success (0.90 ERA in 10 relief innings between May 2 and 22).

The bullpen, if we must mention it, is suddenly significantly deeper. They fortified the middle innings, but they failed to acquire a replacement for Craig Kimbrel. The record of Domínguez and Soto is more impressive than that of Vinny Nittoli or Nick Vespi.

Burch Smith, what about him? Although he has only been with the major league team since July 11, his responsibilities appear to be expanding. The outcomes speak for themselves.

As an Oriole, he has a 1.37 FIP, 12 strikeouts in 10 innings, and a fastball velocity that is somewhat higher than when he was with the Marlins earlier in the season (95.7 mph vs. 94.7 mph). Not to mention that the lineup is now more reasonable.

There were many factors to consider only a short time ago. Austin Hays’s lineup status was fluid. As for lefties, Jorge Mateo would be the man to play second. When facing righties, Ramón Urías would take the third position. It was unusual for Jordan Westburg, an all-star, to switch positions.

Brandon Hyde had to tinker with things to get Colton Cowser back on track after he was in an offensive slump. Difficulty abounded. Right now, everything is easy. Batters for the platoon include Austin Slate r and Jiménez. Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins are no different. Next to backup catcher James McCann, Urías sits on the bench.

The rest of the team plays every day with the exception of a short break. Obviously, simplicity is not a criterion for lineup formation. Both the players’ performance and their health are paramount. The absence of Mateo and Westburg has made the health aspect a problem for the Orioles.

The depth in their organization is a blessing, but it has forced them to start three rookies (Cowser, Holliday, and Mayo) every game for the previous three days. Potentially dangerous, yet effective for the moment. Even if they still have a ways to go, the 2024 Orioles have become a far more dangerous playoff contender.

While competent overall, the rotation is strong on the top end. The bullpen has great depth now, but Félix Bautista is still sorely missed at the back end of the bullpen. The lineup has been formidable throughout the summer, but things are finally starting to click.

Many things are cause for celebration. Though it seems that the team’s fortunes have been more erratic this season compared to 2023, that’s really the case for the vast majority of baseball clubs. Everyone knows about the Yankees’ problems. The Phillies have also hit a difficult patch recently.

Over the weekend, we witnessed the O’s square off against the Guardians. The Orioles are as good as any other team in the game when it comes to going on a run, and the latest roster moves appear to have given them the depth and flexibility that injuries took away earlier in the season.