(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Orioles had already warned the rest of the league last year, when they finished with a positive record for the first time since 2016.
At 83-79, they announced they were much-improved than their 2021 version (one that lost 110 games) and that things were definitely looking up.
So far, the 2023 campaign has confirmed what we already suspected: the O’s are for real, and they intend to contend for a spot in the playoffs.
On Monday, they were down 4-0 in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox.
They ended up on the winning side, 5-4, thanks to a resilient offense and impeccable work from the bullpen.
Baltimore hasn’t lost in their last seven contests.
They are red-hot, and they are here to stay.
“15-7. 7 wins in a row. 2nd best record in the AL. 9th in power ranking from @MLB. Are you having fun yet?” Mike Blankenship tweeted.
15-7
7 wins in a row
2nd Best record in the AL
9th in power ranking from @MLB
are you having fun yet? #Birdland pic.twitter.com/w3pVAQmYaY
— Mike (@blankennsship) April 25, 2023
The Orioles are second in the AL East, ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees, and the Red Sox.
Only the Rays have a better record in the American League, and the equally surprising Pittsburgh Pirates are the only team with a better record in the National League.
The Orioles have been amazing.
Their young players are blossoming: Adley Rutschman is leading the way, but Jorge Mateo has been even more impressive with a .358 average, three homers, and eight stolen bases.
Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins, and Ramon Urias have also contributed, and when Gunnar Henderson, Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander find more consistency, this offense could be unstoppable.
The player development staff has developed another impressive bullpen arm: Yennier Cano is this year’s Felix Bautista.
Tyler Wells has been great in the rotation, and uber-prospect Grayson Rodriguez is already up.
It’s a good time to be an Orioles fan.
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