“Don’t Try to Force It” – Orioles Hit With Crucial Reality Check Ahead of Showdown vs. Angels

The Orioles, once a high-powered offensive machine, find themselves enveloped in streaks of losses, touched by occasional wins. As the season progresses and playoff hopes loom large, the team’s once-prominent offense has gone downhill. While the pitching staff has continued to deliver solid performances, including strong outings from their starting rotation, the bats have gone quiet at an inopportune time.

This offensive slump has put real pressure on a squad that entered the season with postseason aspirations. This further creates mounting concerns about how the team will generate consistent runs in the crucial weeks ahead. Moreover, with the offense’s struggles persisting, the Orioles face a critical juncture where finding solutions at the plate could be the difference between playoff contention and falling short.

“It’s a matter of guys calming down and going. It can be that simple. You’re not going to come through every single time. That’s just the nature of the game. But don’t try to force it either.”

Says who? The Orioles’ veteran outfielder Cedric Mullins. His .953 OPS with runners in scoring position leads the team among players with at least 20 plate appearances. A testament to his ability to rise to the moment, even as the lineup around him falters.

Well, the Orioles’ offensive woes have been particularly pronounced against left-handed pitching. That’s the place where they’ve struggled to find any rhythm or consistency. Moreover, their numbers against right-handers are merely middle-of-the-pack compared to the rest of the league. But the disparity has contributed to an overall below-average performance at the plate.

Now, this imbalance has prompted the coaching staff to re-evaluate their approach, exploring both short-term adjustments and long-term solutions to spark a turnaround. Part of the issue may lie in the youth of the roster. Yes, several young and rookie players appear to be pressing at the plate. Perhaps trying to do too much in high-pressure situations. At this point, a collective reset might be necessary. Slowing the game down, simplifying at-bats, and trusting the process could be key to helping this talented group get back on track.

“I would speak for myself mostly, sometimes with runners in scoring position, I tend to try to do too much when you just need to dial it back and just put a ball in play, and something will happen,” the Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad said.

Do you think keeping the hitters relaxed will turn the tables for the Orioles? Time will answer, but till then, it’s all grim. And with a recent win against the Angels, fans would hope that they maintain the same momentum for their upcoming matchup against the same team at the Angel Stadium. Fingers crossed…

The Orioles’ offensive woes are far from over

For those unversed, this season, the Orioles have been staggeringly poor with runners in scoring position. They are going just 48-for-252, a .190 BA, the worst in MLB by a wide margin. Well, things were not so bad last few years!

For the past two years, the Orioles’ offense has thrived on one undeniable strength: their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In 2023, they were nothing short of dominant. Yes, they were leading all of MLB with a .287 BA and a .481 slugging percentage with runners in scoring position.

But the 2024 season saw a slight dip, as their once-unbeatable offense showed signs of vulnerability. Yet even with that, they were still formidable in clutch moments.

Fast forward to 2025, and the transformation is nothing short of staggering. In just 36 games, the Orioles’ offense has plummeted to the worst in the league, hitting an abysmal .190 with runners in scoring position. The same team that once thrived in high-pressure moments now finds itself crumbling when it matters most.

For now, the team has a young lineup, which has equal potential. Led by key players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Ryan Mountcastle, the lineup offers elite on-base skills behind the plate. So, you should also agree that it will take time for these players to continue to develop their skills and consistency. Hence, more than this season, the Orioles will be worth watching next year.

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