Orioles Begin Considering Changes to Pitching Staff

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

July 19, 2024

The Baltimore Orioles have hit a wall and a lot of people are questioning their ceiling. The team suffered a sweep to the Chicago Cubs, only scoring two runs in three games. The Orioles’ pitching staff has struggled through the past two series. Then they played poorly again against division rival New York Yankees. Fortunately, they could get it together going into the All-Star Break. In the series’ finale, Cedric Mullins hit a walk-off double that mainly relied on Alex Verdugo misjudging the ball. Every team has cold stretches and for the Orioles’ this could be no different. However, entering the break questions are raised for the second-best team in the American League.

Struggling Pitching Staff

The Orioles’ starting rotation has suffered injuries. Tyler Wells, John Means and Kyle Bradish are out for the season. The team is also without closer Félix Bautista, who is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Orioles have tried to address this issue and have a good rotation overall with the sixth-best ERA in the league at 3.70. Recently, the team’s lack of quality pitchers outside of Corbin Burnes and the rest of the staff has been exposed.

The Orioles’ pitching staff is well-rounded enough to get the team to the playoffs, however, depth becomes an issue when they will be facing other playoff teams in October. Burnes is the team’s ace no doubt. Starting the All-Star game for the American League cements him as one of the top pitchers. However, he is the only pitcher on the team with more than 10 Quality Starts, with 15. After him, the next highest is Grayson Rodriguez with nine. No one else on the team has more than five.

Other Options

The Orioles’ window to win is open now and will be for a few years while their roster is on affordable contracts. The team has a strong lineup leading the league in Home Runs and is ninth in batting average. The Orioles still hold the best farm system in the league and can move some players in their system for win-now assets. They need to be buyers at the trade deadline. The Orioles’ pitching staff should look to add another key piece if they plan to make a deep run. The team has already expressed in Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. The Orioles could also look at options like Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi or Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet.

The team has also recently expressed interest in the Oakland Athletics pitcher Mason Miller and Miami Marlins pitcher Tanner Scott. Both closers recently participated in the All-Star game and would help boost the Orioles’ average bullpen. Between the two pitchers, Miller would require the Orioles’ to cough much more. The 25-year-old is one of, if not the best closer this season posting 15.9 K/9 and a 2.25 ERA. Scott is also having a strong campaign this season with a 10.04 K/9 and a 1.34 ERA. As the trade deadline approaches it is clear that the Baltimore Orioles need to make a change in their pitching. The Orioles have the assets to make a move and with their recently expressed interest in three All-Star pitchers, it is clear they will be buyers at the deadline.