The Orioles' series loss in Toronto June 9-12 exposed what fans have suspected all season: the O's have a serious starting pitching problem.
Thus far in 2016, the Birds' prolific offense and lockdown bullpen have helped overcome the lack of production from the rotation, as the 36-26 O's remain tied for first place in the American League East headed into a three-game showdown in Boston June 14-16. However, the Blue Jays series demonstrated how ugly things could get for the Orioles if their starting pitching doesn't improve. The O's lost three of the four games, giving up 30 runs during the series, including 17 from the Birds' quartet of starters.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman threw the only quality start of the series, giving up three runs (two earned) in 6.1 innings June 10. The Orioles' other three starting pitchers combined to surrender 14 earned runs in 11 innings (11.45 ERA). Righty Tyler Wilson put the Birds in a 4-1 hole after two innings June 9, though he at least worked into the sixth inning while the O's came back and won. Righty Mike Wright couldn't find his control June 11, throwing more balls (54) than strikes (49) while laboring through five innings.
