Bob Haynie: Orioles Need To Swat The Nats
After a brutal 1-5 road trip, the Baltimore Orioles return home for a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. Performing in front of the friendly fans at Camden Yards could be just what the doctor ordered for manager Buck Showalter's team as they head into the All-Star break.
Since sweeping a doubleheader from the Cleveland Indians on June 28, the Birds have gone just 2-8 over their last ten contests. They lost three of four from the Texas Rangers, two of three at the White Sox, and were swept in Minnesota by the Twins.
The sweep at the hands of the Twins left the Orioles with a 17-26 road record. That unimpressive mark is the second-worst in the American League.
They do, however, play well at home. They have won 11 of their last 15 at Camden Yards and are 26-16 overall.
The main issue for the Orioles of late, has been their inability to score runs and produce with runners in scoring position. After hitting .273 and scoring 148 runs in June, they have tallied only 23 runs and are batting .209 in July.
With a .297 team average, the Birds are still one of the better hitting teams with RISP. Over their last few games, not so much. They are mired in a 5-for-54 slump in those situations and are hitting an anemic .093.
Even with all of their recent struggles, the Orioles (43-42) are in second place and only three games behind the first place Yankees in the AL East.
The bats will try and come alive against the first place Nats. Washington (46-38) has gone 12-5 over their last 17 and lead the NL East by three games. The Nationals have a 21-22 record on the road.
Heading into this weekend's series with Washington, the Orioles have 77 games left to play. The AL East is far from decided and the Birds will be in it for the long haul.
It would behoove them, of course, to continue their fine play at home and get some momentum rolling before they hit the All-Star break next week.