With less than a quarter of the season left, no one expected the Baltimore Orioles<\/a> to be competing for a playoff spot. Getting swept by the New York Yankees<\/a> last weekend didn\u2019t help their chances. However, although unlikely, an Oriole winning streak and a Yankee or a Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> losing streak could make for an interesting stretch run.<\/p>\n The loss of future star\u00a0Anthony Santander<\/strong><\/a> a couple of weeks ago did not help their prospects. He was a sparkplug, batting .261 with a .315 OBP and a .890 OPS before leaving with an oblique injury.<\/p>\n With Santander injured, along came a couple of rising stars who have done more than just replace a gaping hole in the lineup. Ryan Mountcastle<\/strong><\/a> and DJ Stewart<\/strong><\/a> have filled the gap nicely. Stewart, in his last seven games, has hit six home runs and is batting .417. Mountcastle has a .391 average and seven RBI in that same stretch. Mountcastle has been consistently good at the plate, batting .368 since coming up to the Bigs.<\/p>\n The hope of the Orioles doesn\u2019t only rest on these young bats. The young Orioles arms are getting opportunities this season. Saturday\u2019s game against the Yankees<\/a> showcased a young arm for the Orioles who appears to be the real thing. Dean Kremer<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> drafted by the Dodgers<\/a> in round 14 of the 2016 draft, seems to be a hidden gem found by a prospecting Oriole organization. In his first two games, he has a 1.64 ERA and 14 strikeouts.<\/p>\n Last Saturday the Orioles lost 2-1 to the Yankees. Kremer pitched well giving up four hits, one run and struck out seven over five innings.<\/p>\n Young middle relievers, like 26-year-old middle reliever Tanner Scott<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> have also played well. Over the last 30 games, in 18 innings pitched, Scott struck out 19 and had an ERA of 1.50.<\/p>\n Since joining the Orioles, 26-year-old middle reliever Dillon Tate<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> over the last 15 games, has an ERA of 2.19 with 12 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched. Tate was the fourth overall pick by the Texas Rangers<\/a> in 2015.<\/p>\n And 28-year-old reliever Paul Fry<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> in 17 games with the Orioles, has an ERA of 2.55 with 22 strikeouts.<\/p>\n A new cast is also at play to close out games. Finally pitching without apparent injury is 25-year-old closer, Hunter Harvey<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> Although he is 0-2 and has an ERA of 3.38, he has shown streaks of brilliance and could be the Orioles closer<\/a> for seasons to come.<\/p>\n After playing the Yankees, the Birds hosted one of the best in the NL, the Atlanta Braves<\/a>, and won two of three. In the opener, the Orioles<\/a> bats came alive for a 14-1 win. Jorge Lopez<\/strong><\/a> gave up only five hits in seven innings for the win, and the power rookies<\/a>, Stewart and Mountcastle, combined for five hits and seven RBI.<\/p>\n In the finale on Wednesday, Keegan Akin<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> the 25-year-old rookie left-hander, gave up only three hits in five innings for the 5-1 win.<\/p>\n Regardless of this season’s record, the Orioles<\/a> have surprised many prognosticators. If, before the season started, forecasters were told the Orioles would be in the playoff hunt, they would have probably laughed.<\/p>\n No one expected the Orioles to be competing for a playoff spot. When all is said and done, the team may not even be a .500 club. Their final record won’t matter, however, because the Orioles gave Baltimore fans some hope and some excitement. The team gave fans something to cheer for in a time when there wasn\u2019t much merriment to be found.<\/p>\n Main ImageFilling in for Santander<\/h2>\n
Young Arm Showcased<\/h2>\n
Middle Relievers and Closer Contributing<\/h2>\n
Birds Win Braves Series<\/h2>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>