![\"Trade](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5051,h_2841,x_1038,y_166\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/inside_the_orioles\/01jspharsrdyhmcps1pt.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt has been a disastrous start to the season for the Baltimore Orioles, but there is still hope that they can turn things around.<\/p>\n
Coming into the year, there were concerns about the decisions made in the offseason for a team that had just won the most games in the American League over the last two years.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Losing both Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander was a significant blow to the franchise. Burnes was the ace of the staff and Santander led the team in home runs with 44.<\/p>\n
That type of production isn\u2019t easy to replace, and Baltimore didn\u2019t accomplish it.<\/p>\n
Despite spending more money than they have in recent years, they didn\u2019t even sign an All-Star from 2024 to replace either of those players.<\/p>\n
These decisions have seemingly had a ripple effect on the team.<\/p>\n
Neither the starting rotation nor the lineup have lived up to expectations, with the rotation being the main concern.<\/p>\n
Even though the rotation has been really poor, the bullpen has thankfully been good.<\/p>\n
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report recently wrote about the Orioles’ bullpen being a strength of the team, and Seranthony Dominguez being a major bright spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 30-year-old has taken down high-leverage postseason innings in the past, and appears to once again be capable of a major workload in 2025.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The veteran right-hander came over in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies last summer that sent Austin Hays there in return.<\/p>\n In 2024, he pitched well for Baltimore, totaling a 3.97 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched. While those results were solid, he has really taken a step forward this year.<\/p>\n So far in 2025, the 30-year-old has totaled a 0.00 ERA in 8.1 innings and has notched two wins as well.<\/p>\n Dominguez has been a major contributor to a bullpen that has been better than the rotation. Unfortunately, the team ERA for the bullpen took a bit of a hit during their embarrassing loss to the Cincinnati Reds, but they have multiple key relief pitchers who have done well.<\/p>\n Moving forward, there is certainly a path to turn the season around, but it has to start soon.<\/p>\n Obviously, the rotation has to get healthy and start performing better. Having the second-worst starter ERA, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies.<\/p>\n Even though it has been a slow start for the lineup, there is too much talent for the unit not to turn it around and become one of the best in the league.<\/p>\n However, the bullpen could be the X-factor. With pitchers like Dominguez performing well, the team can make games a lot shorter if they can get to the unit with a lead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It has been a disastrous start to the season for the Baltimore Orioles, but there is still hope that they can turn things around. Coming into the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":51081,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n