Wednesday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles haven’t won a game in over a week

Good morning, Birdland!

Will the Orioles ever win another game? Probably, but you would be forgiven for losing hope after watching this last week of games. The O’s haven’t won since game one of the double-header against the Rays last Tuesday. The whole “spoiler role” thing is not working out well.

But let’s be honest, it all comes down to the series against the Detroit Tigers this coming weekend. It’s four games between the two worst teams in all of Major League Baseball. The loser (winner?) of that series will be in the pole position for the top pick in next summer’s amateur draft.

Over their last ten games, the Tigers are a mediocre 4-6 while the Orioles have completely tanked, going 1-9 in that same span. It’s gone from being a stretch to expect the O’s to compete for the pick to nearly a neck-and-neck race. I’m not sure whether to be mad or impressed.

Links & Notes

Orioles’ Elias says dismissals necessary to reposition the organization - Baltimore Baseball
I have no hot take here. This is all part of a new front office putting their vision into place. There is bound to be a lot of turnover. Unless someone personally knows one of the people that was fired, I’m not sure why some portion of the fanbase is outraged by these moves. It sucks that people lost their jobs, but that is the nature of this industry, unfortunately. Hopefully they land on their feet elsewhere in the sport.

Hyde says Harvey has “a little bit of soreness” - School of Roch
Protect Hunter Harvey at all costs! The coaching staff isn’t letting on much about his condition. He was well enough to throw a bullpen, but not well enough to pitch in a game. That’s fair. Hopefully it is nothing more than routine resting for a player that has struggled to stay on the field in his pro career.

More on retirements and Elias’ latest media session - School of Roch
Some more information on the changes happening in the O’s organization in case you really wanna go in-depth.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

Three pitchers from the 2019 Orioles celebrate their birthdays today. Salisbury native Evan Phillips turns 25 today. Shawn Armstrong, the owner of a 4.70 ERA in 46 innings with the O’s this season, is 29. And current Red Sox hurler, Andrew Cashner, is 33. It is also the birthday of late infielder Eddie Miksis (b. 1926, d. 2005), who played in four games for the O’s between 1957 and ‘58.

1958 - Orioles manager Paul Richards lists three pitchers in his starting lineup. It was done as a way to substitute them out during the first trip through the lineup in an effort to maximize the scoring chance in early innings. It doesn’t work well and the O’s lose 7-1.

2015 - In an eventful eighth inning, the Orioles hit two grand slams (Nolan Reimold, Steve Clevenger), Manny Machado hits a solo home run and manager Buck Showalter is ejected after arguing about Chris Davis being hit by a pitch on purpose. The Orioles beat the Royals 14-8. It is the seventh time since 1900 that a teams two grand slams in one inning.