For some teams this year, it has been an embarrassment of riches in the form of wins. For the Baltimore Orioles, it has been, well, an embarrassment of embarrassments.
Just two years removed from winning north of 100 games and the American League East, the Orioles have started the year with a 13-21 record. The O's are back in their former dwelling in the cellar, and it has not been pretty. Pitching and hitting have both been abhorrent outside of one or two players, but nothing may be as detrimental as the team's performance in one key area.
The Miami Marlins have a better record than the Baltimore Orioles.
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) May 7, 2025
One of the most important areas a team needs to be successful in is the production from the right side of the plate. That has been the exact opposite of the case so far for Baltimore.
Through the team's first 34 games, right-handed batters have combined to post a .577 OPS. Out of the 30 Major League teams, that mark ranks dead last, and only one other team, the Chicago White Sox, has a mark sub-.600.
This comes in the season after the organization decided to bring the left field wall closer to the plate, which should have made it easier for righties to hit dingers. Their 13 home runs from right-handed batters this year are tied for 24th in MLB.
Another day another disappointing performance by the Baltimore Orioles pic.twitter.com/gL4k80uT4T
— Morgan (@MorganSpangler) May 7, 2025
All of this comes in stark contrast to how the team has performed from the left side of the plate. Left-handed batters have combined to post a .763 OPS, ranking eighth in MLB, with 29 home runs, which ranks third.
Changes need to be made across the board in Baltimore. There is still time for improvement, but the issues run much deeper than the players who have been assembled on the field.
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