Reality: The Orioles go into the All-Star break in 1st place in the AL East.
This is the most incompetent first place team I've ever seen.
— Ryan (@ryguyblake) July 9, 2016
Perception: I love Baltimore and I defend Baltimore sports fans constantly…but there are so many times (especially on Twitter) that I see things posted by fans that make me think Baltimore sports fans are just as critical as those in other cities.
This team is good. Offensively, they are one of the bests team in baseball. Defensively, they are one of the tops in the league. It’s all about their pitching. This team is going to the playoffs based solely off their offense and back-end of the bullpen. This team was made for the regular season, but I’m not sure they were made to succeed in the playoffs. That doesn’t make the Orioles incompetent. Yes, this team has their struggles, but who doesn’t?
The 2016 Orioles are very similar to the 2014 Orioles that went to the ALCS. The biggest difference is the starting pitching ERA. But here is the thing: most of the teams looking to make the playoffs are struggling with their starting pitching. Problem (for everyone) is, there aren’t many starting pitchers of any quality available, because it’s harder to find quality starting pitching as a whole.
The Orioles may be frustrating to fans. They may go through a few losing streaks. However, this team has gone through more winning streaks (of more games) than they have losing streaks. They are 15 games over .500, in first place in the AL East, and have a two- game lead. They are a really good team…not incompetent.
Reality: As a team, the Orioles starters average 5.38 innings per start.
Yovani Gallardo has now not retired a batter after the 6th inning in his last 26 starts. Pitched into 6th 4 times. Now 5 runs so far.
— Jon Meoli (@JonMeoli) July 9, 2016
Perception: Starting pitching is obviously important in baseball. One of the characteristics of a good starting pitcher is that he can go deep into games. Right now, this is the average length per start by each Orioles starter this season:
Tillman 5.8
Gausman 5.7
Wilson 5.6
Wright 5.25
Gallardo 4.7
Jimenez 4.6
If you have a great bullpen, that might be okay, and the Orioles have a very good bullpen. The issue becomes, how many runs are allowed during each of those starts? Orioles starters are simply giving up too many runs per start. Tillman is the only Orioles starter with an ERA under 4.00. Months ago, I brought up the point about having two starters piggyback each other so that you don’t tax the bullpen too much. Dan Duquette sort of brought that up Sunday while talking to Jim Hunter on MASN.
Dan Duquette talking about possibility of piggybacking starters. Can do that with one rotation spot, he said. Suggested Wilson/Bundy.
— Bird’s Eye View – O's Pod ⚾️ ????️ (@BirdsEyeViewBal) July 10, 2016
I still don’t think that’s a terrible idea, especially if the Orioles can’t get quality help at the trade deadline. Instead of hoping your starters try to go six innings, why not make them go three or four? Orioles pitchers have always struggled when they get to the 6th inning (or the 3rd time around the lineup). If you piggyback starters, now there is no 3rd time through the order for a pitcher. Have two “starters” go three innings each, and then you have Brach, O’Day, and Britton to finish the game. It’s not the conventional way to do things, but the Orioles starters haven’t been very conventional this season either.
I think this says it all:
For some perspective…
Starts going 7+ innings since 2013:
Os top-3 combined: 84
Kershaw: 83 https://t.co/qUeEPepH9A— O's Stats & Facts (@BirdlandStats) July 6, 2016
(Note: add 1 to this, thanks to Tillman’s start on Sunday)
Reality: The Orioles bullpen has the best ERA in the American League from the 7th inning on.
#orioles 42-0 when leading after 8th. Now 9-8 in one-run games. Machado scores winning run on his day. Gnomebody does it better #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 9, 2016
(Note: Add 1 more to this, after Sunday’s win)
Perception: Zach Britton is the best closer in baseball. He is 27-for-27 in save opportunities this season. He has a 0.74 ERA and has 43 strikeouts and a 0.82 WHIP.
Brad Brach has a 0.93 ERA and has 57 strike outs and a 0.81 WHIP.
Dylan Bundy, Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens have all pitched very well this season and have lower ERAAs than any Orioles starter.
Along with the Orioles offense, their bullpen is the reason they are in first place at the All-Star break.
Reality: Caleb Joseph is hitting .160 this season.
There aren't many players that I'd stick with batting under .175, but Caleb Joseph is that guy for me. #Orioles
— Joe Polek ????????⚾????⚽???? (@JoePolek) July 9, 2016
Perception: Granted, Joseph has only played in 26 games, and only has 75 plate appearances, but it’s still not good. He has yet to hit a home run or drive in a run. I think most fans would be ready to call for a player’s demotion or release with those type of stats, but I’m not. Yes, you hear frustration from O’s fans about Joseph’s struggles at the plate, but it’s nowhere near what it would be for other players. There is just something about this player.
Joseph is a great defensive catcher. Pitchers love having him behind the plate. He calls a great game, and throws out a good percentage of attempted base stealers. He is a great team player who everyone seems to enjoy and respect.
If Buck Showalter still has faith in him, then I do too. If he was the Orioles starter right now, then yes, I think we might feel differently, but I believe that most fans are still good with having Joseph on this team.
