(Image via MASN Sports)
It’s the beginning of August. Many MLB teams have either made moves to improve their team or have thrown in the towel to begin preparing for the future. Oakland and Detroit have made significant improvements to their pitching staff. But the AL East leading Baltimore Orioles are riding the team that has brought them this far. They did acquire a relief pitcher from Boston, but for the most part they are relying on their guys. As of this writing they sit in first place 2.5 games up on Toronto. This is after Toronto won 7 games in a row. New York has made several moves and they can’t seem to get close to Baltimore. Just 4 years ago fans were happy just for a competitive team and now they sit at 61-47.
Baltimore has had an impressive season, besides dealing with a number of issues. They don’t have a true ace to lead their pitching staff. While l personally like guys like Bud Norris and Miguel Gonzalez, you never get them confused with a Verlander, Price, or Lester. lf they had one of those guys, their lead could be 10. To limit his innings, Kevin Gausman was yo-yoed between the show and the, minors even though he was one of the team’s most consistent performers. Ubaldo Jimenez can’t seem to find the strike zone even though he is paid $50 million over the next 4 years to do so. Tommy Hunter started off the season as the team’s closer but wasn’t very effective. Insert Zach Britton to give them stability and 22 saves. Buck Showalter is really amazing in how he has pushed all of the right buttons.
Offensively, how they have kept this team together is just unbelievable. Chris Davis, who hit 53 home runs last year and finished 3rd in the AL MVP race, has only hit 17 home runs and is batting under .200. Speaking of batting under or around .200, the O’s have 6 regular bats that are hitting in the .200 neighborhood. Nelson Cruz has cooled off since his blistering start but still leads the team with 29 HRs and 75 RBI. The only season-long consistent bats have been Hardy (even though he has not produced his usual power numbers), Jones, and Markakis. They have had timely hitting all season and Camden Yards is buzzing at a time when many Baltimoreans are thinking “Purple and Black” instead of “Orange and Black”.
So, can they keep it up? I say they can. While some other teams have made moves to strengthen their rotation, it has come at a cost. Baltimore has a special chemistry going in their dugout. Smiles and hi-fives are the norm. When a guy has a walk-off hit, you can expect a pie to the face. They don’t quit nor do they give up easily. 12-4 is their record in extra-innings games. Showalter keeps guys like Delmon Young and Steve Pierce engaged because they are needed, and they haven’t disappointed their skipper. Caleb Joseph and Nick Hundley have provided an adequate fill-in since Gold Glove catcher Matt Wieters went down with an elbow. Darren O’Day and TJ McFarland have anchored a bullpen that is one of the best in baseball. There is something magical happening and hopefully it leads this team to a World Series ring.
