Orioles Quietly Playing Like the Best in Baseball
By Nate Wardle
Aug 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
As quietly as a team possibly can, the Baltimore Orioles are playing the best baseball in the Major Leagues.
No, they don’t have the best record in their last 10 games, which goes to the Kansas City Royals, who are catching the Detroit Tigers. Keep this in mind, because let’s not forget those Tigers are one of the teams the national media has deemed to be in the ALCS.
No, they didn’t make a major trade for a starter at the trade deadline, either to pitch or play the field. The aforementioned Tigers, Athletics, Red Sox, Braves and others made those moves. However, none of those teams are playing particularly well right now.
The O’s are 25-10 since the end of June. The team has won seven series in a row, all against teams contending for the playoffs in the Cardinals, Blue Jays Nationals, Mariners, Angels, Mariners and Angels.
Their last series loss was to the Oakland Athletics, and one of those losses was on a rare blown save from Zach Britton.
Before that, series wins against the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers. 10 out of 11 series won, against teams they have struggled against in the past, or who are fighting for the playoffs.
The O’s have the largest division lead in baseball at six games. And they are doing it with a tried and true formula for success.
In 2012, the Orioles won on an otherworldly statistic in close games and a negative run differential.
Noticeable in their recent run, but actually true since sometime in June, the Orioles have been winning with solid starting pitching, a shutdown bullpen, and timely offense. Up until recently there were not a lot of blowout victories.
This team is hard-nosed, fun to watch and has a penchant for the long ball. And for Orioles fans, if the team keeps playing like they have recently, those long balls may be headed into the stratosphere deep into October.