The Baltimore Orioles were smashing the baseball up in Toronto to the tune of six home runs, including two homers each from Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutchman. This was one of the most impressive opening day performances, if not the most outstanding in Baltimore Orioles history.
This offense looks like the 2024 offense that was raking throughout the early months before the injuries and slumps caught up with them late last season. This was a crazy game to watch as a whole as well because the bats were cooking early on against Jose Berrios. Let’s dive deeper into this game to see how the Orioles dominated.
Mullins and Rutchman’s Big Days at the plate
Mullins and Rutchman became the third and fourth players in franchise history to hit two home runs on Opening Day, joining Sam Horn (4/9/90) and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson (4/6/73). The duo had 8 RBI on the day for the Orioles. Let’s first look at the Mullins part of this equation. This was a huge surprise for Mullins to do this after the 2024 season he had, which was a struggle for him. Mullins doing this could spark him to have a great season like in 2023 for the O’s.
Meanwhile, for Rutchman, this is another strong opening day performance for the catcher that was similar to the 5-for-5 day against the Boston Red Sox a couple of years ago up in Boston. Look for Rutchman to potentially carry this game into a strong, productive 2025 if he continues to swing the bat like this for the Orioles.
Tyler O’Neill Homers for the Sixth consecutive Opening Day
New Orioles addition Tyler O’Neill proved to be a strong addition for the O’s, as he hit a three-run homer off Berrios, for his sixth consecutive opening day with a home run. The Orioles will look for O’Neill to replace the production that Anthony Santander had for them last season. This was a solid start for the veteran left fielder from Canada. Let’s see if he continues this type of production will continue for the Orioles throughout the season.
The Orioles Did This Without Gunnar Henderson
The most impressive part of this 12-run Opening Day explosion for the Orioles was the fact that they did this without their best player. Gunnar Henderson is starting the season on the IL with an intercostal strain. He is starting his assignment on Friday with Norfolk in Triple-A, according to The Baltimore Banner’s Danielle Allentuck.
Assuming there are no setbacks during his time with Norfolk, he could make his season debut on April 3. Imagine this Orioles offense clicking like this and having Henderson in the lineup, this offense could be one of the most legit offenses in the game of baseball in 2025, along with the Dodgers. Look for this offense to continue to hit the ball against the Blue Jays this weekend.
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