Orioles Outlast Angels in Series Win
The Baltimore Orioles headed into Anaheim and walked away with two wins after a three-game series against the Angels, in the battle of former MVP versus future MVP. Gunnar Henderson has proven that he deserves to be in the MVP conversation in late September with his play throughout the month. In this series, the Birdland faithful also got their first look at Hetson Kjerstad in the 2024 season after being called up to replace the injured Austin Hays. After only losing one game in the series the Orioles are now 16-8 and are second in the AL East standings only .5 a game back from the New York Yankees.
Gunnar a Blazing
Henderson had himself a series going 6-11 with four extra-base hits, with two being home runs, and five RBIs in the series. He started the offensive onslaught in game three’s 6-5 victory with a home run in the top of the third with no outs. Henderson raised his OPS to an incredible 1.022 on the season. He currently leads all of the AL in fWAR with his total sitting at 1.9 on the season. Henderson has taken the leap that all O’s fans predicted cementing himself as one of MLB’s newest and brightest young stars.
Bullpen Reinforcements
The Orioles have found their consistency with the bats as the season has moved along but are still searching for it in the bullpen. When relief pitchers like Yennier Cano and closer Craig Kimbrel aren’t available, the O’s are stuck in a situation where anything can happen. Outside of Kimbrel and Cano, the only relief pitcher with a sub-three ERA is reliever Jacob Webb at 2.53. With plenty of expendable talent down in the farm, the Orioles could potentially look to fill the bullpen holes around the trade deadline if the lack of production continues.
The Calm Before the Storm
Up next, the Orioles will be taking on the Oakland Athletics as they return to Camden Yards for a quick homestand. This series is one many MLB insiders and fans believe the O’s should sweep. This matchup can be a great opportunity for struggling top-prospect Jackson Holiday to find the success he’s been looking for at the plate. If the Orioles do sweep the A’s, this will give them great momentum heading into the following series against the Yankees. The series against the Yanks will be a battle for not just the top spot in the AL East, but also to gain a competitive edge that will help leading into the postseason. Every single win is important in a 162-game season and the Orioles might have found the formula to create those wins in the month of April.
