The Orioles were one of MLB’s model franchises for decades, but teams of the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s have given way to clubs that have been unable to reach the .500 mark for the last 14 years. While no organization rivals the Pirates’ streak of losing seasons, the Orioles haven’t had a winning record or made the playoffs since 1997.
Everything could change this year if the Orioles continue to play well for the next two months. They're currently 60-51, tied with the Tigers and Athletics for the lead in the American League Wild Card race, and 1.5 games ahead of the Rays and Angels. With five teams playing for two spots, competition for the Wild Card spots will no doubt be heated.
The Orioles have allowed 47 more runs than they've scored, which suggests their .541 winning percentage is unsustainable. But their 60 wins aren’t going to disappear, so they’re very much in contention. Manny Machado is joining the team, and Dylan Bundy might be next. As Dave Cameron explained this morning, there’s a definite chance Baltimore could win enough to reach the postseason. Even if it’s not necessarily likely, the playoffs are within reach.
For the Orioles to end up below .500, they’d have to finish 20-31 or worse. To win 90 games, they’d have to finish 30-21 or better. There are still 51 games to go…
When you look at the Orioles run differential they are sort of defying the laws of gravity
(1) Ridiculous record in one run games
(2) Absurd record in extra inning games
(3) Pedro Strop
The one-run games thing is what really struck me (makes sense, with the run-differential, but still). I feel like normally your one-run game winning percentage should be roughly the same as your record in other games, right?
Also, in case anyone is not sold on this, their pythagorean expected win-loss is 51-60. Their actual record is 60-51. What even.
The O’s are 45-0 when leading after 7 innings. The O’s bullpen has been the strength of this team late in the game.
I think they’ll finish with 85 wins or so, good but not good enough for the playoffs. Let’s be honest, everyone has been waiting for them to melt down all year and it hasn’t happened yet and I don’t think it will now.
The real test for the franchise will be to see how they approach the offseason, because while it’s nice that they’ve been good so far this year, they can’t expect to put out this same team next year and expect to compete again.
I would like to see the Orioles bolster their rotation. The bullpen has been solid for them this season.
Jason Hammel could be back in 3-4 weeks. Orioles only need a 5th starter twice before then. They can pretty much ride Chen/Hunter/Gonzalez/Tillman.
Better than the Red Sox.
Haters gonna keep on hating.
They said in April, it’s only April, this team can’t sustain.
They said in May, it’s only May, this team can’t sustain.
They said in June, it’s only June, this team will fade after the All Star Break.
They said in July, it’s only July, theres still time to collapse.
It’s August boys and girls.
The starting pitching has become rock solid, minus Zach Britton’s start. The bullpen has been the strong point of this team all season. The bats are coming alive.
Haters gonna keep on hating though.
Haha ok tebow…
you know, the O’s had that stretch of 15 games against the Rangers, Yanks, etc and everyone said let’s see them get through that
then it was let’s see where they are come the break
then it was let’s see where they are come August
well, it is August 9th now and they’re 9 games up. They just took 2 of 3 from the Yanks and 2 of 3 from the Rays, both on the road. Then they swept a hot Mariners team. All with Chen and the Norfolk Tides making up their rotation. Let’s go O’s!
Wow the Orioles are starting to get some love finally, well at least attention.
The one thing that was missed the Orioles this week have improved their run differential! It’s gone from 59 to 47, Thank you Mariners! :p
Seriously, though on MLB channel, Billy Ripken, John Hart, and mystery man ( I don’t know who he was) said the O’s will not make the playoffs. Ripken said they would be close, but will miss. It will be the Rays. As for me, they have as good a chance as anyone. However, their starting pitching has to be consistent! If it’s not forgetaboutit!
If it is, they could win the division, forget the wildcard.
PS Tillman has to prove to himself he can beat the Yankees. I am not sure he is there yet.
He did beat the Yankees…
True, but he was lucky.
He gave up 5 runs and normally would have lost that game except Ivan Nova was worse than he was. I should have typed, Tillman has to prove to himself, that he has the ability to shut down the Yankees and the confidence to do so.
Tillman was pitching with the flu. The fact that he gutted out five innings was impressive though. But it was good to see him dominate the Mariners in the next start.
The Orioles have the worst ERA in the AL among playoff contenders (No, Boston isn’t a contender). I don’t think they have enough pitching to hang down the stretch. They are a nice improved club but I think they finish with about 85 wins.
85 wins could be a wildcard spot, or a tie for one, and every AL wildcard contender has huge holes somewhere.
If I had to make a prediction, three way tie for second wildcard spot. Orioles are one of the teams involved.
Selig’s new playoff system turns into a debacle in its first year of existence, and provides some of the most exciting AL baseball in a while.
Fine here, as long as in that formula Boston somehow ends up with one of the protected picks and gets their highest draft choice in decades.
a top 10 pick? boston? i’ll be shocked if more than 3 of those go to current AL teams.
Pretty sure it’s 15 now Rex, might be wrong, but think it’s 15.
Edit:
You are correct;; My apologies.. Just looked it up 🙂
the O’s aren’t going to take a wildcard spot…they’re taking the division!!
LOL. Just don’t u shave them ‘burns off and lets hope!!
the one thing that O’s fans and Sox fans can both agree on…nothing would be better than to watch the Yanks fail!
aaaaaaaaand, to top it all off, my boy Wei-Yin Chen will be pitching tonight
I think Os have a chance to make it. Hopefully Machado can help the offense and starting pitching improves further.