MLB’s 2022 Cinderella Story: The Baltimore Orioles

 

Across the Major League Baseball (MLB) landscape in 2022, few teams have surprised fans and enthusiasts throughout the first half of the season as much as the Baltimore Orioles. On the heels of a disastrous 2021 season (they lost 110 games), the Orioles were not expected to emerge as a strong contender for postseason baseball in 2022.

However, throughout the season’s first 89 games the team has posted a winning record, thanks in part to a winning streak of 10 games that had them only a couple of games out of a playoff berth in mid-July.

So, what’s fueling the turnaround?

Elite Defense

It's not just the winning streak that has Orioles fans such as Brandon Glickstein dreaming of watching them play well into October. Since mid-May, the team’s stellar defense has helped put up a 31-20 record, with the Orioles ranking second in the American League (AL) behind the New York Yankees in defensive runs saved (DRS) with 47.

For sure, elite defense has punctuated the remarkable turnaround, and for those who’ve followed the team over the years, it has been a while since they posted a positive DRS season.

At the heart of this change has been sound execution and standout performances from various important positions. Jorge Mateo’s 11 defensive runs saved leads the league’s shortstops, while Ramon Urias’ eight DRS have him second in the American League. Center fielder Cedric Mullins has seven DRS, good for second in the league, while left fielder Austin Hays’ four DRS have him among the best in the America League.

Essentially, the Orioles’ defensive play is helping them to allow fewer scored runs, therefore creating more opportunities for victory.

Difference-Making Pitching

According to baseball analysts, the Orioles’ pitching is one of the difference makers underlying the team’s historic turnaround. Where the 2021 Orioles allowed 956 runs, the 2022 squad has allowed 377 runs in 89 games, with a projected total of 686 for the entire season. The team’s bullpen has a role to play in this, as it is ranked as the fifth-best in the league.

Contributors such as Felix Bautista and Cionel Perez have halved their walk rates from the 2021 season, while the starting rotation has achieved a 2.33 starter earned runs average (ERA) in baseball – a record best. Overall, the Orioles 4.50 ERA is also markedly better than the 5.99 posted in 2021.

Steady Leadership

Manager Brandon Hyde also gets credit for the Orioles’ turnaround season. Observers have noted the fun and energetic clubhouse in 2022 and Hyde’s focus on creating a winning mindset for everyone in the organization.