How the Orioles can rebound from 0-2 deficit in the ALCS
The first two games of the ALCS were seemingly set up for success for the Baltimore Orioles.
They were at home, where they were 52-31 this season through the ALDS, for two games in front of nearly 47,000 raucous fans at Camden Yards. They were rested, having finished off the Detroit Tigers in three games during the ALDS, which means they were able to set their pitching staff however they desired. As the games played out, they managed to reach the ninth inning tied with the Kansas City Royals, and in both games had their top two relievers, Darren O’Day and Zach Britton, available and able to log key innings.
It’s a script Buck Showalter would have accepted no questions asked six months, six weeks and even six days ago. Yet despite the ideal conditions, they’re somehow winless two games into a best-of-seven series with their backs firmly against the wall. Oh, and now they’re heading to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City needing to win two of three just to assure the series returns to Baltimore.
That great set up? It looks like a nightmare scenario now. But the important thing for Baltimore to remember as the scene shifts is that a series can turn in a single game, and a single game can turn any number of ways. They’re not out of it by a long shot, but a few things definitely need to improve right away in Game 3. Here’s a quick look at the three biggest.
Start strong: This can apply to several areas, but starting pitching has definitely put Buck Showalter in a bind in the first two games. Starters Chris Tillman and Bud Norris each lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing nine combined earned runs. That means Showalter is digging into his bullpen early looking for outs, and the offense is put in chase mode.
Granted, they have been able to chase down Kansas City while chasing their respective starters fairly early, but they’ve yet to lead in the series because ultimately they end up running into Kansas City’s world class bullpen.
It’s not just an ALCS problem either. Through five postseason games, Baltimore’s rotation has posted a 6.09 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in 24 innings. Detroit’s generous bullpen helped mask that. Kansas City’s hasn’t and won’t. To win four of five, Baltimore has to set the pace and play with the lead, beginning with Wei-Yin Chen’s critical start in Game 3.
Tighten up the defense: The Orioles were only charged with one error in each of the first two games, but obviously there were other little miscues that created opportunities for Kansas City. None stand out more than J..J. Hardy’s low throw in Game 1 that Steve Pearce couldn’t handle, allowing Billy Butler to reach on an infield single and an inning to continue.
It wasn’t an easy play, but it’s one that needed to be made with the slow-footed Butler running. One broken bat later, three runs were on the board as Alex Gordon dropped a double down the right-field line.
That slight miscue had little to do with Kansas City’s team speed, but it shows how quickly the tone of a game and a series can change. Now, factor in that speed and how it adds urgency to certain plays, and it speaks to how little margin for error Baltimore truly has moving forward. The defense may well have to be airtight to give them a fighting chance.
The power vs. speed narrative has been run into the ground, but it’s a real thing. It can be downplayed, sure, but it can’t be ignored. Baltimore hit the most during the season (211). Kansas City hit the fewest (95). Now the Orioles need to hit the most over the next 4-5 games to give themselves a shot.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
