Good morning, Camden Chatters.
How about those Orioles? I’ll admit I did not have high expectations that a hopelessly out-of-contention team would suddenly surge to life in September, but the Birds are playing like a team that wishes the season could go on for a few more months. They’re now 8-1 in September after completing a three-game sweep of the Pirates yesterday. It was another well-pitched game for the O’s pitching staff — and if we’re being honest, facing a pitiful Pittsburgh offense didn’t hurt — and yet another close victory. All five of the Orioles’ wins on this homestand were by just one run, and four of them were walkoffs. They sure like to make things close, but a win is a win. Check out Mark Brown’s recap for all the lovely details.
The Orioles’ hot streak is about to face a much tougher test than the Pirates. Tonight they begin a three-game series north of the border against the first-place Blue Jays, who certainly aren’t going to go easy on the O’s. The Jays are looking to rack up wins to put some more distance between themselves and the Red Sox and Yankees, who are each 3.5 games behind.
The Orioles will need to bring their A game, such as it is. The O’s pitching staff can’t count on the Blue Jays going 2-for-28 with runners in scoring position like the Pirates did. And the Birds’ offense certainly can’t expect to score just eight runs in three games again and win them all. While some young O’s hitters have taken a step forward in September, most notably Jackson Holliday, they’ll need to start getting contributions from other slumping regulars, too (looking at you, Colton Cowser and Coby Mayo).
The Orioles have done it before. Their first five wins of this month came against two playoff-bound teams, the Padres and Dodgers. Can they repeat the feat against the American League’s best team? Even if it doesn’t matter in the standings, it’d be nice to see the Orioles continue to play competently against some tough opponents down the stretch.
Part of me was hoping the game would stay tied until the ninth so the O’s could continue their streak of walkoffs. But not having to play the bottom of the ninth at all is a pretty nice way to win, too.
I’m still unclear on why promoting Elias to team president was such a closely guarded secret that it wasn’t revealed until nearly a year later. Assuming the O’s feel good about their decision, why be so coy about it?
Ben Clemens presents the most thorough breakdown I’ve seen of what’s causing Mayo’s struggles. In short: he’s being too passive early in the count, he doesn’t do damage when he puts the ball in play, and he can’t hit sliders. Is that all?
This question wasn’t directed at me, but…yes.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 29th birthday to Kyle Bradish, who so far has made a successful return from Tommy John surgery with two quality starts in his first three games of 2025. If Bradish keeps looking healthy and effective for the rest of this year, Orioles fans will feel better about the state of the O’s rotation in 2026. Enjoy your day, Kyle!
Former Orioles born on Sept. 12 include left-hander Mark Thurmond (69) and outfielders Keith Hughes (62) and the late Albie Pearson (b. 1934, d. 2023).
I don’t want to alarm you, but the Orioles haven’t won a game on Sept. 12 in 11 years! They have an eight-game losing streak on this date (with off days in 2022 and 2024). Their last victorious Sept. 12 was actually two wins in one, a doubleheader sweep of the Yankees in 2014. But even that day brought some bad news, as Chris Davis was handed a 25-game suspension by MLB for testing positive for amphetamines. Davis would miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs.
On this date in 1988, Eddie Murray collected his 2,000th career hit as part of a 3-for-4 performance at Fenway Park. The O’s had 13 hits in that game as a team but managed only one run in a 6-1 loss to the Red Sox.
And on this day in 2009, Brian Roberts set an Orioles franchise record with his 51st double, a fifth-inning two-bagger off A.J. Burnett. Roberts finished a triple shy of the cycle in a 7-3 win at Yankee Stadium.
Random Orioles game of the day
On Sept. 12, 1970, the Orioles handily beat the Red Sox at Memorial Stadium, 5-1. Baltimore native Tom Phoebus went the distance for the Birds, giving up just five hits in throwing his first complete game since May 5. The O’s got home runs from guys you would expect — Frank Robinson and Boog Powell — as well as one you wouldn’t, Mark Belanger, who hit his first (and only) dinger of the year in 527 PAs. With the win, the Orioles improved to a ludicrous 94-51. That was a good year, folks.
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