If we're looking to blame some Orioles, there's plenty to go around. The pitching did not show up against the Texas Rangers, and arguably the second-best lineup in the postseason (sorry, Braves earned that No. 1 spot) has its eyes on an ALCS appearance.
Baltimore had to wait half a week, which arguably gave them a pretty severe disadvantage for a team which won its division. The Rangers, meanwhile, won their AL Wild Card series against the Blue Jays with relative ease and now has made the O's look pedestrian at best.
Despite their age, the O's were expected to make some noise in the playoffs. Baltimore did finish with the best record in the American League, after all. Suddenly, the Rangers look like the real threat, and the Orioles could be stuck watching from the couch if they slip up on the road.
Baltimore Orioles to blame: Brandon Hyde
Brandon Hyde has not handled his pitching staff, that much is certain. In Game 1, seemingly every choice Hyde made was a bad one. Hyde made at least two poor pinch hit decisions in the first game which put the O's behind the eight ball. By asking Adam Frazier to pinch hit for Jordan Westburg, Hyde thrust a player who frankly wasn't ready for the attention into the public eye. Frazier went 0-for-3 in that game, and was in for matchup reasons. That sounds like over-managing at its finest.
As Alicia de Artola wrote about Game 1, Hyde's choices were in question the entire game:
"Brandon Hyde has done a helluva job with the Orioles this year, but his first playoff outing was a total dud...The decision to pinch-hit Adam Frazier in the fourth for Jordan Westburg was a headscratcher. Frazier didn't need three at-bats in the game over Westburg, nor does he bring exceptional defense to the table. Where was the upgrade by having Frazier in?"
Game 2 didn't look much better. Hyde's choice to start Grayson Rodriguez made sense, but his bullpen decisions were brutal. Jack Flaherty, after his struggles late in the season, should not have seen the mound. Yet, he walked three and gave up a run.
Hyde needs to be better in Arlington
Baltimore Orioles to blame: Gunnar Henderson and Aaron Hicks
Gunnar Henderson was thrown out in the ninth inning of Game 1, in which the Orioles were down a run. Henderson was out by a country mile thanks to Rangers catcher Jonah Heim, who is an AL All-Star and one of the best backstops in baseball.
While Hyde initially called the play a miscommunication, he has since put the blame squarely on Hicks, saying it was meant to be a hit and run. Hicks did not swing at his pitch during the AB, and Henderson never really had a chance as a result.
It's a little unclear what happened in this event, but either Henderson or Hicks were not on the same page as the team. In such a vital moment -- the ninth inning of a playoff game -- it's an error that couldn't be afforded.
Baltimore Orioles to blame: Mike Elias and front office
The Orioles knew they had a starting pitching problem at the MLB trade deadline. Heck, I could have told them that. Their solution to that problem was evidently Jack Flaherty, who hasn't played up to par since he was acquired by Baltimore. In the Charm City, they should expect more from this front office.
Yes, trading away top-100 prospects isn't ideal. Yet, when you're a team like the O's, you can afford to take the risk. The Orioles entered the season with more than seven players in the MLB Pipeline top-100 prospects list. Even now, after graduating several of those player, the O's still have six prospects ranked in the top-100. More are coming, and they will contribute.
Suffice to say, the Orioles can afford to trade at least one, if not more, top-100 prospects for the right player. Baltimore is short starting pitching, so it would have made a lot of sense for Elias to trade for a veteran ace to lead their postseason push. Flaherty was not enough, though a nice idea at the time.
No, I'm not saying sell the farm. Yet, Baltimore's World Series window is open. They need to make sure to make the right move, especially at the trade deadline, rather than sitting on affordable talent just because they can foot the bill.
