Orioles hit four home runs in first inning against Astros (Video)

The Baltimore Orioles opened the first inning with four home runs including back to back to back home runs. 

On Thursday night, the Baltimore Orioles hit six home runs. They got two home runs each from JJ Hardy and Chris Davis. Manny Machado and Mark Trumbo added three run home runs as well. On Friday night, Baltimore kept the home run party going with four first inning home runs, including back-to-back-to-back home runs by Manny Machado, Chris Davis, and Mark Trumbo. Adam Jones hit a lead off home run to start the game.

Baltimore’s offense had been struggling lately, but it appears that their bats have woken up against the Astros. In the first ten innings of their four-game series against the Astros, they have 10 home runs. Jones has one, Hardy, Trumbo, Machado each have two, and Davis has three.

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The O’s have relied heavily on the long ball this season. They lead the majors in home runs and their lineup has multiple home run threats. Those home run hitters, along with their excellent bullpen, allow them to get away with having a less than ideal starting rotation. They are very similar to the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays, who went all the way to the American League Championship Series before losing to the Kansas City Royals.

Baltimore will need their bats to keep hitting home runs if they want to win their first World Series since 1983. Of course, their rotation needs to be better as well. However, last year’s Royals have given an interesting blueprint to winning. Your rotation doesn’t necessarily need to be great if your bullpen is dominant and your lineup gets timely hitting. The O’s seem to be following that blueprint. It’s on their rotation to be good enough and their lineup to ensure the rotation doesn’t need to be great.