Orioles Review (04/21/26): Ask me anything
It's been a weird stretch of Orioles baseball. Let's talk it through.
Hey, folks. I was tabling at Brooklyn Independent Comics Showcase all weekend, so no time for a full newsletter this week. But I still wanted to open up the comments to any and everything on your mind (within reason) after a roller coaster week for the Orioles. For posterity, here's the review:
Weekly Review: ⚾️⚾️ (2/5 Leodys)
Win-Loss Record: 2-5 (11-12 total)
Win-Loss Pace: 77-85
Projected wins*: 81.8
Playoff odds*: 43.6%
*Per FanGraphs
Despite last night's crazy comeback win in the 12th, the Orioles dropped 1.5 projected wins and 7.5% playoff odds over this stretch of 7 games since my last newsletter. The starting pitching continues to be very confusing (4.27 ERA, 3.88 xERA). The defense is mostly bad (-6 OAA, -2 DRS). The bullpen, despite being taxed, is still looking quite good (3.50 ERA, 3.22 SIERA). And the bats have gone hitless for multiple long stretches despite the occasional punch, including Leody Taveras's go-ahead, extra-innings grand slam. Honestly, that hit probably saved this from being a crashout newsletter (elevating it to nonchalashout status).
In the end, this continues to be a team floating around .500, which is perfectly fine for April 21. They have some clear weaknesses that need to be addressed, but could be getting some injured players back soon, starting with Adley Rutschman today.
Ask me anything in the comments. Tell me anything in the comments. Anything is a relative term, though. Don't be a dick or be weird. Do NOT bring up the Mets. I'll reply and post thoughts today and throughout the rest of the week. Let's talk about the sick, sad world of Orioles baseball.
