The roller-coaster of the Baltimore Orioles’ season continues, and though they had a successful road trip, it was not without its share of “whoa,” “phew” and “damn” moments that had fans gasping for air or trying to survive this week’s edition of the cardiac move that was designed to put us on life support.
Through it all, the Birds found a way to stay relevant in the AL Wild Card race and even found a way to bring Luis Robert Jr. to the team with a waiver claim that makes him eligible for the postseason, since he was added to the team prior to September 1.
So, before anything else happens that will make us scratch our heads or want to hide in the bushes, let’s jump into The Great, The Good & The Ugly and see who made it to this week’s list.
THE GREAT: THE FANS
There is no discounting the fans this season when it comes to how difficult it has been to root for this team.
The fans were promised changes and promised that things would be different than in years past. Well, different is what we got, and it has not been in the way that was expected. But the fans have still come out in support of the team through thick and thin.
Despite all the turmoil throughout the season, the team finds itself in the middle of a Wild Card race. It seems that, in spite of the games being lost in the ways they are, the fans are still showing out in support of the team through it all.
Even with the threat of a lockout looming, O’s fans are showing up no matter what and deserve a big shoutout for that.
THE GOOD: THE AL WILD CARD RACE
Somehow, the Orioles still have managed to stay in the thick of the Wild Card race despite the tumultuous roller coaster they continue to ride.
After completing a 6-3 road trip that saw them hit the .500 mark for the first time since April, the Birds proceeded to drop the final two games to fall two games under .500 but remain only 1.5 games back from the third Wild Card spot.
With 22 games left in the season, the Orioles are fighting with three other teams that are 3.5 games or less from that coveted third Wild Card spot.
We know that spot keeps showing up here, but as long as there are games to play and the Orioles are still alive, there will be a few more times that the AL Wild Card standings will continue to show up here.
THE BAD: CRAIG ALBERNAZ
We cannot keep fighting putting him here, but when the Birds are dropping games due to Craig Albernaz’s inability to identify weaknesses or pick up on obvious situations to avoid, it is hard to stay away from him.
Twice in the series against the Colorado Rockies, Albernaz threw Andrew Kittredge into a closing situation, who had to be saved by Colton Cowser in one game, and then watched him blow another opportunity in the series finale.
On top of that, putting a rookie in Luis De León into a high-leverage situation with a game on the line for a major-league debut just shows the inability to prepare a rookie for a role in the game.
Alby’s inexperience is showing at the wrong time, and it is going to have Baltimore on the outside looking in and end in a disappointing season by the time it is all said and done.
Either Albernaz starts leaning on some of his coaching staff for advice, or the Orioles’ season will be over before anyone wants it to be.
The Birds head home to open a four-game stand with the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Guardians in what could have big ramifications on the Wild Card standings over the final part of the season.
Will the Orioles be able to keep pace and keep the fans engaged and cheering the rest of the way? Will the Birds be able to stay relevant in the Wild Card standings? Can Albernaz bring his head up for air, stop treading water and be the manager his team needs down the stretch?
Be sure to tune in next time for the next edition of The Great, The Good & The Ugly.
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