The Baltimore Orioles weren’t competitive for a long time.
After finishing second in the AL East with a 89-73 record in 2016, they entered an obscure period from 2017 to 2021 in which they finished last four times and fourth once.
In 2021, they were 52-110.
But their reality changed in a hurry.
This year, even despite making a couple of sell moves at the deadline, they are 63-58 and fighting for a spot in the postseason against all odds.
They have some very impressive prospects, but the organizational culture change has been remarkable: the team now has an incredible drive to win.
The team is young and fun, and naturally, the country wants to see the O’s play.
This wasn’t the case since 2016.
Last night, they played Sunday Night Baseball against the hapless Boston Red Sox, and won 5-3.
The Orioles Are Now Awfully Entertaining
It marked the first time in a while that the Orioles played on national television.
“The last time the O’s played on national television (1,456 days ago):
–John Means had a 13.50 career ERA
–Cedric Mullins was a switch hitter
–Adley Rutschman was a sophomore in college
The Orioles play their first nationally televised game since 2018 tonight on ESPN at 7:10 EST,” OriolesMuse tweeted.
The last time the O’s played on national television (1,456 days ago):
-John Means had a 13.50 career ERA
-Cedric Mullins was a switch hitter
-Adley Rutschman was a sophomore in collegeThe Orioles play their first nationally televised game since 2018 tonight on ESPN at 7:10 EST
— OriolesMuse (@OriolesMuse_) August 21, 2022
What a time to be alive: Orioles fans, who were hopeless as recently as a few months ago, are now dreaming about seeing their team in the postseason for the first time in six years.
John Means is their best pitcher, and he is a true-talent 3.60-3.70ish ERA pitcher when he is healthy.
He underwent Tommy John surgery and will return in 2023 to strengthen the O’s rebuild.
Mullins gave up switch-hitting in spring training 2021 and blossomed into a star, and Rutschman was called up in late May and is the driving factor behind the O’s success.
This team is now really, really entertaining and more than worth your time.
NEXT: Adley Rutschman Showed Off His Youthful Side On Sunday