Orioles Return Their Ace for the Stretch Run

Although Means coming back is a huge positive for Baltimore, it did not pay dividends right away. The southpaw had a decent outing in his first start back Tuesday night, going five innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits with a strikeout. However, the early hole proved to be too much, as the O’s lost 5-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals. Still, Means’ return and solid outing bodes well for Baltimore the rest of the way.

John Means Makes Long-Awaited Return

New Days in the Charm City

Since Means last pitched in a Baltimore uniform, the Orioles’ outlook has completely shifted. The 30-year-old was the club’s Opening Day starter in 2022, following a 2021 season where he posted a 3.62 ERA in 26 starts. He threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners in May of 2021. In 2022, he made only two starts, giving up three runs in eight innings before the injury to his UCL. At the time of his injury, it was assumed that the Orioles had lost one of their only major assets on a losing roster, but Baltimore surprised the league and finished with a winning record.

This season, the Orioles have followed up narrowly missing the postseason by establishing themselves as a top contender in the American League. Baltimore ended Tuesday’s game with a 91-53 record, the best in the AL. They hold a three-game lead over the second-place Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. With a stellar collection of young talent, the Orioles have broken out. They are one of the most dangerous teams in the league now, a marked difference from when Means last took the mound.

A Boost Down the Stretch

Despite Baltimore’s runaway success this season, their primary weakness is their starting rotation. The Orioles rotation holds a collective 4.41 ERA, good for 16th in MLB. Deadline acquisition Jack Flaherty has been nothing short of a disaster (7.16 ERA in six starts). Baltimore starters have a higher responsibility down the stretch given recent news. Closer Felix Bautista was revealed to have a partial tear in his UCL on Monday, plunging their elite bullpen into enhanced uncertainty. As a result, Means will be counted on to provide high-leverage innings in the postseason race. Baltimore has not made the playoffs since 2016 and is looking to earn a bye in the wild-card round and home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs. If their current pace holds, they’d claim home-field advantage in the World Series against any team not named the Atlanta Braves.

If Means is effective, his addition to the Orioles’ rotation will close the last real weakness on the roster. His presence makes Baltimore’s pitching staff much more intimidating. If not, the Orioles might be in for an early postseason exit.