Opinion
3 min read

Athletics Aim to Clip Orioles' Wings at Oriole Park

As the Athletics prepare to face the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, fans are cautiously optimistic despite recent struggles. The A's have had a rough patch, particularly in their last game against the Boston Red Sox on April 2nd, where they were shut out with a score of 9-0. Their hitting was abysmal with an average of .129 and an on-base percentage (OBP) of .129, while their pitching allowed nine runs.


Aug 20, 2023; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Brent Rooker (25) runs out a solo home run against Baltimore Orioles pitcher Nick Vespi (79) during the seventh inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

However, looking back at the game against the Cleveland Guardians on March 30th gives a glimmer of hope. The A's showed resilience by bouncing back from errors and managed to secure a win with four runs off nine hits. This performance demonstrated that when their offense clicks, they can put up competitive numbers.


The Athletics' bullpen has been inconsistent but showed signs of improvement in their last outing against the Guardians on March 31st. They held onto a narrow lead despite some fielding errors and managed to close out the game for a win.


Aug 20, 2023; Oakland, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins (31) reacts to being called out on strikes against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

One area that needs immediate attention is fielding; five errors in one game are unacceptable at this level. The team must tighten up defensively if they want to avoid giving away easy runs.


The upcoming match-up presents an opportunity for redemption as well as challenges. The Orioles will not make it easy for them; however, if Oakland can channel their performance from March 31st and combine it with more disciplined fielding and pitching akin to what we saw earlier in that series against Cleveland, there is potential for success.


Aug 20, 2023; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Zach Neal (31) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the fifth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Fans should look forward to seeing whether the Athletics can turn things around after their recent slump or if Baltimore will take advantage of Oakland's weaknesses. With determination and focus on fundamentals, this could be an excellent chance for Oakland to start reversing its fortunes.


The scheduled date for this clash is April 26th at 7:05 PM local time (ET) in Baltimore's iconic ballpark – Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans eager not to miss any action can tune into local broadcasts or follow live updates online as both teams strive for victory under Friday night lights.

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