It may seem like the world is falling for the Orioles.
They had a losing record last month, and this one, if things don’t change, could be the same after Wednesday’s walk-off loss dropped them to 9-10 in August. But they are only half a game behind the Yankees for the division lead and within striking distance of the top record in MLB as they get set to begin a four-game homestand against the Astros on Thursday.
They’ve been decimated by injuries. Their offense has lost its footing. The bullpen is a mess. So how are they holding on?
Well, it helps that no one else has found their footing, either.
The Yankees, the Orioles’ direct competition, have a closing problem. Clay Holmes has 10 blown saves, and the Yankees have said they plan to stick by him. The Guardians, whom the Orioles split a series with this month, have five pitchers on the injured list and are 14-16 since the All-Star break.
The playoff picture is changing every night. Right now, the Guardians and Yankees would get first-round byes, with the Astros, Orioles, Royals and Twins also making the playoffs. The six teams are separated by only 5 1/2 games, meaning anything is possible down the stretch. It’s going to come down to who gets hot when it matters.
Could that be the Orioles? It certainly helps that they have reinforcements on the way.
Jordan Westburg (right hand fracture), who made his first All-Star team this season, and Jorge Mateo (left elbow subluxation) could be back in late September, but neither is guaranteed. Westburg is doing baseball activities, but only with his left side. He is still in a cast and won’t make real progress until its removed.
Either would be a boost to the infield and would allow them not to use Ramón Urías as much, in addition to giving Gunnar Henderson or Jackson Holliday a day off.
Heston Kjerstad (concussion) is in protocol after he was hit in the head by a pitch prior to the All-Star break. He is doing some baseball activities, but head injuries are unpredictable and it’s hard to say when he will feel well enough to return. His power potential could be a boost to an offense that had only three hits Wednesday.
For the rotation, Zach Eflin (right shoulder inflammation) and Grayson Rodriguez (right lat/teres strain) are hopeful they can return next month. Eflin went on the injured list Tuesday, and the Orioles think he can return shortly after his 15 days are up. He has a 2.13 ERA in four starts since Baltimore acquired him from the Rays at the trade deadline.
Rodriguez, who has a 3.86 ERA in his second major league season, is playing catch and progressing, but he does not have a specific timetable. If the Orioles get Eflin and Rodriguez back, their playoff rotation would line Corbin Burnes up for Game 1, with Eflin and Rodriguez taking Games 2 and 3.
The bullpen, the area that needs the most help, could have Danny Coulombe (left elbow inflammation) and Jacob Webb (right elbow inflammation) to the rescue. Both are throwing, with Webb likely to come back in early to mid-September. That adds not only two arms but two high-leverage options.
