Which aspects of the Orioles' relative improvement bode well for the future?
The Orioles are playing their best baseball in years. Here are four aspects of their turnaround that could actually mean something on the path back to the playoffs.
When this space a week ago advised to enjoy the good times while they were here, the idea was not that the Orioles would roll through a 4-2 week that featured some of their best baseball of the season and continue to solidify the idea that they actually aren’t bad.
It’s nearly two months of evidence now that that isn’t the case, and although they’re occasionally overwhelmed by a truly good team, the Orioles are showing they can give themselves a chance every night.
Having that happen with no John Means, with Cedric Mullins nowhere near his best at the plate, and with injuries delaying the debuts of Adley Rutschman and Grayson Rodriguez makes it even more impressive. Some of the Orioles’ improvement is just noise, but some things aren’t.
Here are, to me, the four most meaningful parts of their recent upswing and what it means going forward.