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Baltimore Orioles: Five Ways to Win the American League East

By Randy Buchman

Aug 14, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles celebrate their 8-7 win over the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles celebrate their 8-7 win over the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 14, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) celebrates his three-run home run with third baseman Manny Machado (13) in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) celebrates his three-run home run with third baseman Manny Machado (13) in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

#3 – Clutch Hitting / Pennant Chase Fervor

Remember when the Orioles were ranked first or second in batting average with runners in scoring position? They are now ranked fifth at .273.  That does not seem too terribly bad. But they are 13th in the league in opportunities.

And the O’s are eighth with runners in scoring position and two outs. Yes, it gets worse. In fact they are dead last in the American League with total opportunities in such situations.

Championship teams need to be strong in clutch situations. And we have seen that with the Orioles in seasons like 2012 and 2014 … which just happen to be playoff years!  But not so much this year, not yet.

The Birds are not going to be able to come back regularly from six-run deficits, but to win it all they are going to have to do better on coming from behind from small deficits in the last couple of innings of games.

Baltimore needs to generate an energy and sense of destiny in the midst of a pennant chase.

Next: A top bullpen is indispensable these days...

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