MLB Notes for May: The Orioles Have Lost 14 Straight, But Are They Really This Bad?

The Baltimore Orioles managed to tread water during the month of April with a 12-14 record - identical to that of the New York Yankees.

In May, the O's went off the deep end with a 5-23 record finishing the month with 14 consecutive losses.

Naturally this has evoked comparisons with the 1988 Baltimore Orioles who began that inglorious year with 21 consecutive losses - an AL record. Only the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies who lost 23 consecutive games have spared the O's from baseball infamy. But this is of small consolation. The 1988 O's finished that season 54-107. 

As for this crop of baby birds, there is a very good chance the Orioles will lose 100 or more games for the third time in four seasons. In 2018, the O's were in 1962 New York Mets territory losing 115 games finishing 61 games back of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. At their current pace, the O's will finish with a 51-111 record. 

But even if this comes to pass are the Orioles really this bad? Or are they just unlucky? If we look at the Orioles current losing streak, 7 of their 14 losses are by two runs or less. So it's not like the O's are getting blown out every night. 

On the other hand, things have been getting ugly for awhile. Since John Means no-hit the Seattle Mariners on May 5th, the Orioles have gone 2-21 and are now 17.5 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays. Means has a sterling ERA of 2.05 while the rest of the rotation is well over 5.00. Aside from Means Cy Young caliber season, Trey Mancini is putting up MVP like numbers with 11 HR and 42 RBI fresh off a serious bout with cancer. 

But Means and Mancini notwithstanding, the Orioles are looking up at the rest of the division. The defending AL champion Rays have won 16 of their last 17 games and have a two game lead over the Boston Red Sox. Although the Yankees went 17-11 in May they have underachieved having recently been swept by the cellar dweller Detroit Tigers and are now 5.5 games back. The Toronto Blue Jays have also underachieved and are 6.5 games back. But the Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays still have a chance to catch the Rays. The same cannot be said of the Orioles barring more than a miracle.

It has been something of a miracle that the Chicago White Sox enjoy a 3.5 game advantage over the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central despite manager Tony La Russa moving heaven and earth to alienate his players with his public blasting of rookie sensation Yermin Mercedes for hitting a home run on a 3-0 pitch during a blowout against the Minnesota Twins. Are the Chisox winning in spite of La Russa or just to spite him?

The Kansas City Royals began the month leading the AL Central by 1.5 games over the Chisox. The team soon embarked upon an 11 game losing streak but has since clawed its way back to the .500 mark. The jury is very much out on the Royals. The Twins continue to be a major disappointment finishing the month only a half game ahead of the Tigers.

The AL West is a three team race with the Oakland A's leading the Houston Astros by a half game with the surging Seattle Mariners only 2.5 off the pace having won five in a row and 7 of their last 10 games. The Los Angeles Angels continue to underachieve despite the unceremonious release of Albert Pujols while the Texas Rangers finished May with six straight losses.

There are three team races in both the NL West and NL Central. The San Francisco Giants enjoy a half game lead over the San Diego Padres and a two game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Colorado Rockies have the pleasure of knowing they can look down at the Arizona Diamondbacks who went 5-24 during the month of May losing 13 of their last 14 games. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs went from worst to first with a 19-7 May and enjoy a half game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals. After struggling at the beginning of May, the Milwaukee Brewers have won five in a row and 8 of their last 10 games. The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates aren't as bad as the Rockies and D'Backs but their chance to get back into contention is slipping by the day.

The New York Mets are the only team in the NL East with a record above .500 as they enjoy a 3.5 game lead over the Atlanta Braves. The Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins are five games back while the Washington Nationals are seven back of the Mets. This is still the NL Least.

Will La Russa survive the season on the South Side of Chicago? Can Oakland hold off Houston? Will anybody step up to Mets in June? Will the NL Central and NL West remain three team races? And is there even a ray of hope for the Orioles? We'll find out on Canada Day.