WASHINGTON -- Many aspects of the Orioles’ 9-13 start to the season have been surprising. After all, this is a team that has made two consecutive postseason appearances and had lofty goals entering the 2025 campaign.
Among the most puzzling parts, though, has been Tyler O’Neill’s lack of production against left-handed pitching. The 29-year-old outfielder -- who signed a three-year, $49.5 million deal in December -- is hitting .095 (2-for-21) with 11 strikeouts against southpaws after going 0-for-3 vs. Washington lefty Mitchell Parker in Baltimore’s 7-0 loss at Nationals Park on Tuesday night.
“It’s just something that I want to do a little better at, obviously,” said O’Neill, who hit .313 with a 1.180 OPS vs. lefties in 75 games for the Red Sox last year. “I want to drive the ball and play as best I can and to my capability. I obviously want to make more contact, I want to get on base more, I want to draw more walks. It’s just the way things are going right now.”
O’Neill isn’t alone, so he can’t be solely blamed for the Orioles’ struggles vs. left-handers.
Baltimore fell to 1-6 in games started by southpaws as Parker dazzled for eight dominant innings. The O’s only hit was a left-on-left single by Cedric Mullins in the third. The lineup combined to go 1-for-25 against the 25-year-old.
The Orioles have been on the losing end of matchups against Boston’s Garrett Crochet (April 2), Kansas City’s Kris Bubic (April 6), Cleveland’s Logan Allen (April 15), Cincinnati teammates Andrew Abbott (last Friday) and Brent Suter (Sunday) and now Parker.
Collectively, Baltimore is hitting .165 (33-for-200) against left-handed pitching, which ranks 29th in MLB -- ahead of only Minnesota (.141).
“For the most part against right-handed pitching, we've done a decent job. Left-handed pitching, you rely on your right-handed guys, especially, to kind of take care of some things,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Ced is taking great at-bats, competing in the box. Love his at-bats right now. But we just need more guys to take those types of at-bats.”
Mullins is leading the way against left-handers, going 6-for-17 (.353) with two homers against them. He reached base three times in Tuesday’s loss, as the rest of the team combined to get on twice.
During the offseason, the O’s focused on adding right-handed bats to complement their roster, and early in the year, Hyde has stressed the importance of giving those players opportunities against southpaws. However, that group -- which includes O’Neill -- has not fared as well in those situations as expected.
Gary Sánchez is 0-for-14 with five strikeouts against lefties. Ramón Laureano is 1-for-13 with six strikeouts.
Even some of the returning right-handed hitters haven’t found success against southpaws, such as Jorge Mateo (1-for-11) and Adley Rutschman (4-for-25).
What has been the difference about Mullins?
“I was able to find some things with my timing and just how the body’s moving in the box, feeling a lot better,” Mullins recently said.
That, as well as plenty of reps.
“I think it’s pretty important, just be able to get feedback,” Mullins said. “I think that’s important to make those adjustments against left-handed pitching. At some point, it’s going to be unavoidable for some of those [younger] guys to take on that challenge, left-on-left, so I know they’re ready and waiting for that opportunity.”
The less experienced left-handed hitters have been starting to get increased chances against lefties as the Orioles try to jolt their offense. Heston Kjerstad (2-for-7 vs. lefties entering Tuesday) and Jackson Holliday (2-for-9) were both in the lineup in the opener vs. Washington.
Kjerstad went 0-for-3 and Holliday was 0-for-2 with a walk against Parker. But they should learn from facing a left-hander who has been among the best starters in the National League to open the year (a 1.39 ERA through five starts).
Better results against left-handed pitching won’t immediately turn things around for the O’s. Their MLB-high rotation ERA is up to 6.22 after right-hander Dean Kremer allowed six runs (five earned) in 5 1/3 innings against the Nats. The defense hasn’t been up to Baltimore’s crisp standards, either.
But more offense could allow pitchers to feel less of a need to be perfect, while hitters wouldn’t have their tough at-bats taking a mental toll on them as they return to the field.
“We’re having a tough time letting things go,” Hyde said. “We’re letting at-bats kind of steamroll on us a little bit. It’s showing up on our defense at times as well.
“No one’s going to feel sorry for us. This is the big leagues, and you’ve got to be able to bring it every night. You’ve got to be able to turn the page.”