Can The Orioles Bounce Back From Their Inconsistent Woes?

Just when it seemed that the Orioles had found their rhythm, they once again found themselves in several sticky situations thanks to their finicky bullpen.  Before they were demoralized by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Orioles had won four of their last five games thanks largely in part to their dominant offense which continuously found ways to hit big when it mattered most. Unfortunately, what the Orioles needed to win wasn't so much their powerhouse hitters. They needed their formidable bullpen of yesteryear which was responsible for the Orioles one run winners as well as their flawless success in extra innings.  While the Orioles offense has transformed into one of the best in the league, their lackadaisical pitching has become a cause for concern.  Although the Orioles are still 10 games over .500, if they hope to make the post season and beyond, they'll have to figure out how to rework their bullpen to give them maximum efficiency from game to game.

Despite the Orioles recent travesties, they still have a chance to obtain a wild card spot for the second consecutive year.  The Tampa Bay Rays just snapped a 6 game losing streak, making the fight for second place in the AL East more competitive than ever.  However, with that encouraging notion in mind, the Rays will undoubtedly find a way to win again due to their dynamic bullpen which elevated them to a consistent level of success in the first place.  While there is still plenty of baseball left to be played, the Orioles need to treat their current situation like it's the last week of the regular season.  From here on out, every victory counts and every loss simple attributes to the Orioles becoming an underwhelming disappointment.  I'll admit that despite the despondence I currently feel for my beloved Orioles, I still have hope that they can defy the odds and become an under the radar favorite to make a splash in the post season.  Although the Orioles on base percentage leaves something to be desired (.314, 17th in the MLB), their slugging percentage, runs and batting average all fall within the top six in the majors.

It's hard to imagine the Orioles succumbing to their failures when they have so much else going for them.  Between the offensive explosiveness that is Chris Davis' hitting proficiency and a young Manny Machado providing consistent hitting efficiency, the Orioles have an all star cast that is more than capable of surprising the world of baseball.  While my heightened optimism may have something to do with my undying devotion to the Orioles, I simply can't concede that last years Cinderella success was just a fleeting one hit wonder.  Ever since Cal Ripken's departure, the Orioles became the laughing stock of the MLB year in and year out.  Now, the city of Baltimore has been given a reason to hope that their reinvigorated baseball franchise can finally have the last laugh.  If Buck Showalter can continue to utilize the offense effectively while shifting around the bullpen to find a relatively consistent framework for success, the Orioles could be more than capable of making a dominant tail end of the regular season run.  After all, it's not over till it's over.