Baltimore Orioles: Biggest Post All-Star Game Series for Orioles

The resurgent Baltimore Orioles (41-33) dropped to five games out of first place in the American League East after the visiting Los Angeles Angels (42-33) delivered a season-high 13 runs on Wednesday night, completing a shortened sweep of their two-game series.

Although they only played two games, this series was very important for the Birds for a couple of reasons. First, if it comes down to the wire toward the end of the year, the Angels most likely will be the team battling the black and orange for a playoff spot.

If it comes down to the records between the two teams to determine a potential playoff-bound dispute, right now, the Angels have the upper hand as they lead the season series 4-1.

Second, the Birds have been struggling at the dish as of late, and they squared off against two of the best pitchers in the league in C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver.

However, they did not fare too well as they were unable to overcome strong pitching starts and large deficits in both contests. They continue to lose ground in the East behind those Bronx Bombers.

Offensive Woes

The Orioles, still in second place for now, need to figure out what is going on with their offense. Since the return of Brian Roberts, the Orioles are one-game under the .500 mark at 6-7.

They have scored 48 runs in 13 games (3.69 runs per game).

Besides the first series since his return to the lineup, which was against the Pirates, the Orioles’ collective offense has only reached five runs one time in a game; their offense has hit rock bottom, and they desperately need Nick Markakis to return to the order.

Reports have said that the Birds’ right fielder, after undergoing successful wrist surgery, should be back in the lineup before the All-Star break (via MLB.com). Once they get him back, they’ll have a stronger, more consistent outfield and Showalter can worry about just filling the void in left field.

The Birds need to get on track before the All-Star break, and there are three series left, including two-four game sets. Over their last 11 games, they have only scored 21 runs, including two shutouts.

Lofty Expectations

Following the mid-Summer classic from July 9-July 11 in Kansas City, the Birds open the second half of their season with their first look at the disappointing and underachieving Detroit Tigers (36-39) on July 13.

Although it might not seem like it, this series is the most important post-All-Star series for the Birds as it stands now.

Although the Tigers might not even be in the thick of the race (it’s heating up between the White Sox and the Indians), their series at Oriole Park immediately following the break could set a pace for the remainder of the season.

The Tigers currently sit just 4.0 games out of first place. However, things can change very quickly, and if any team is able to make a run for it, the power-hitting lineup out of the motor city should able to find their way.

The Orioles have 74 games on the docket following the break, and half of those contests, 37, will be against their AL East rivals. However, the first series of the second half is always the most important.

With the acquisition of slugging first baseman/DH Prince Fielder, the Tigers were projected to run away with the Central division.

Slugger Miguel Cabrera already dominates the competition, and adding another home run threat to that forceful lineup should only complicate things for other teams.

However, the Tigers have failed to play up to expectations.

Starting Pitching Struggles

One of the major problems for the Tigers all season has been their inconsistent starting pitching; they rank 25th in the majors in pitching as they feature a collective 4.09 ERA.

Overall, their starting pitchers have struggled a bit as they feature a 23-26 record with a 4.26 ERA. Their bullpen has performed better, as they have recorded a 13-13 record with a 3.85 ERA.

Max Scherzer (6-5, 5.12 ERA), Rick Porcello (5-5, 4.71 ERA) and Drew Smyly (2-3, 4.48 ERA) all have started at least 13 games each for the Tigers; each feature an ERA of about 4.50 or better. Scherzer and Porcello are two of their top starting pitchers, and if they want to have any chance at making a playoff run, these two need to get back on track in the rotation.

Justin Verlander has been the most consistent hurler on the Tigers. However, he has struggled at times this year. Nonetheless, he sports an 8-4 record with a 2.42 ERA, so how tough has his season been, really.

Lack of Power

Offensively, there is really no surprise as they rank eighth in the league with a team batting average of .264. However, power-wise, they only have delivered 67 home runs as a team, which places them 21st across both leagues.

Entering this season, critics thought balls would be flying out of Comerica Park and the Tigers would be near the top of the list in home runs for sure.

However, Cabrera leads the team with 15 long balls and Fielder sits with 12 on the year. Talk about underachieving. The Orioles have delivered almost 30 more home runs up to this point in the season.

Besides Fielder and Cabrera, the next highest home run numbers on the team come from Austin Jackson and Brenna Boesch, who each have smashed seven on the year.

Other than power, the Tigers rank 13th in runs with 328 on the year, which is respectable.

The Tigers need to improve their starting pitching and they need more pop provided by their powerful sluggers.

Orioles Need to Look Ahead

This is regardless if the Birds are two games, or eight games, out of first place come the All-Star break. The Tigers’ series is definitely the biggest post-All-Star game series so far this year.

Like I mentioned before, half of the games over the second half of the year come against interdivision teams, which is a cause of great rivalry in the East.

So, yes, most, if not all of those matches, are important to the Birds. However, the first series of the second half seems appropriate as the most important series because this could help get the Orioles off to a strong start with a solid series, or it could hurt them if they do not perform well.

Either way, although it might not sound fancy and exciting, and is somewhat unexpected, Baltimore’s most important series, as of now, after the All-Star break will be against those pesky Tigers.

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