The Baltimore Orioles have picked up right where they left off in 2022 with a strong first half in 2023.
With the second half looming, Baltimore owns a record of 54-35, sitting just two games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.
The team has also won each of its last five games.
However, prior to the winning streak, they had lost six of seven.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was asked if the All-Star break was coming at a good time, to which he responded that they needed to play the remaining five games of the first half well to regain their momentum.
On Twitter, Orioles writer Nathan Ruiz pointed out how Hyde had inspired the team and what it ultimately led to.
After the Orioles lost for the sixth time in seven games Tuesday, Brandon Hyde was asked whether the All-Star break was coming at a good time for them.
“We have five games to play to the All-Star break. We’re going to need to play these five games well.”
Baltimore won all five.
— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) July 9, 2023
Clearly, Hyde’s message was received quite well by the Orioles.
The team was on a cold stretch, having lost six of their last seven games.
However, since Hyde delivered the message, the Orioles have yet to lose a game.
They still have the second-best record in the American League and are closing in on first place in the East, which is still occupied by the Rays.
But after closing out the first half on a positive note, the Orioles are in prime position to stay hot in the second half and potentially chase down the Rays.
They lead the Wild Card race by five games over the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays.
Hyde’s message was clearly well received, and it lit a fire under his team that helped get them through the first half.
