I know I've written about how the O's need a new catchphrase, but tonight I'll leave that behind.
They've won the AL East and so begins the journey for the AL Pennant and a well-earned spot in the World Series.
Baltimore, owning the best record in the Bigs since the All-Star break, are truly a three-dimensional team.
A 3.48 ERA.
Over a homer a game (1.29); less than half an error per game (0.49).
The only category that the O's are league leaders in is homers. Yet the amount of statistical categories they're ranked in the top 10 is overwhelming.
Check it out here for a closer look.
All I can say is, ever since I was a kid, waking up and reading the sports page to memorize the stats before my dad woke up, I couldn't fathom the Orioles winning the AL East.
The Yankees were perennials. The Red Sox defined the bottom of the top tier. Toronto was a .500 team, leaving Tampa and the O's to battle it out for fourth.
Occasionally, we'd finish 3rd and a small streak of prideful sweat would start to form between my brow. But the playoffs?
An afterthought.
If there was a word that combined "proud", "relieved", and "ecstatic", I'd use it.
Until I solve that mystery, I'll sleep on the fact that my O's have finally joined the Ravens as being a dominant force in their division and league.
Showing posts with label al east. Show all posts
Showing posts with label al east. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Tillman Extends Streak but Late Loss for O's
At 6-0, Chris Tillman hasn't lost a road game all season.
That streak is still alive, after another quality start (8 out of the past 9 now) in which he lasted 6 innings, permitting 1 ER on 103 pitches.
A stuttering Orioles offense could only muster 2 runs for Tillman, a far cry from the contribution he is accustomed to on the road -- his unblemished rod record comes with a near 5.00 ERA.
Tommy Hunter's 8th inning started off all wrong. A single by Josh Hamilton was followed by a double by Erick Aybar, evening the score at 2 apiece. A couple of strikeouts later, Hunter found himself close to mitigating the damages and heading towards the ninth.
But after intentionally walking Navarro, Ianetta was given a base-on-balls and Brian Matusz came in to relieve Hunter.
Matusz walked in what would be the Angels' winning run, much to the displeasure of Buck Showalter's strategic gameplan.
Less heartbreaking than a walk-off in the 9th, a loss in a game that should have been won is still a loss. On a brighter note, Baltimore's rebounding ability after tough games like these have been astoundingly effective, especially compared to recent years.
The O's are 28-16 this season following a loss with a +1.5 run differential, third best in the majors.
With 4 games in Seattle to cap a 10-game road stretch, it'll be back to Baltimore for 6 games against the Angels and Mariners, followed by a 1-game makeup Beltway Clash in Washington D.C.
After those 7 games, I see the O's 13 above .500 at 60-47.
That should extend the current 3 game lead held over the Yankees in the AL East.
That streak is still alive, after another quality start (8 out of the past 9 now) in which he lasted 6 innings, permitting 1 ER on 103 pitches.
A stuttering Orioles offense could only muster 2 runs for Tillman, a far cry from the contribution he is accustomed to on the road -- his unblemished rod record comes with a near 5.00 ERA.
Tommy Hunter's 8th inning started off all wrong. A single by Josh Hamilton was followed by a double by Erick Aybar, evening the score at 2 apiece. A couple of strikeouts later, Hunter found himself close to mitigating the damages and heading towards the ninth.
But after intentionally walking Navarro, Ianetta was given a base-on-balls and Brian Matusz came in to relieve Hunter.
Matusz walked in what would be the Angels' winning run, much to the displeasure of Buck Showalter's strategic gameplan.
Less heartbreaking than a walk-off in the 9th, a loss in a game that should have been won is still a loss. On a brighter note, Baltimore's rebounding ability after tough games like these have been astoundingly effective, especially compared to recent years.
The O's are 28-16 this season following a loss with a +1.5 run differential, third best in the majors.
With 4 games in Seattle to cap a 10-game road stretch, it'll be back to Baltimore for 6 games against the Angels and Mariners, followed by a 1-game makeup Beltway Clash in Washington D.C.
After those 7 games, I see the O's 13 above .500 at 60-47.
That should extend the current 3 game lead held over the Yankees in the AL East.
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