A year ago, the Orioles were the surprise team in the league, winning 93 games and beating the Rangers in the wild card play-in before losing to the Yankees in five games in the ALDS. But many wondered if that was just a fluke.
Here we are a season later, and the Orioles own a 40-30 record and are 1½ games behind the Red Sox for the AL East lead. True, it won’t be easy making the playoffs again, as the entire division is separated by 8½ games, but the Orioles have what it takes.
The bats haven’t been the problem, as their 335 runs scored are fourth most in the league and they also rank fifth in batting average (.271). It helps when you have Chris Davis, who is flirting with a triple crown as he ranks first in home runs and second in both average and RBIs in the AL.
They play just as well at home as on the road, with identical 20-15 records, but the 325 runs the Orioles have allowed are tied for third-worst in the majors and they rank dead-last in ERA (4.45). If they can fix the pitching, the Orioles should be in the hunt for the playoffs again.
1) Cardinals (44-25) (1)
A 3-3 mark against the Mets and Marlins last week was disappointing, but they still own the top mark in baseball.
2) Athletics (42-29) (4)
Bartolo Colon continues to roll. He has won six in a row and allowed five runs in those starts, after Sunday’s seven inning, 10-2 win over the Mariners.
3) Red Sox (42-29) (2)
After a poor showing against the Orioles, it doesn’t get easier for the Red Sox, who face the Rays and Tigers this week.
4) Reds (42-28) (7)
Johnny Cueto’s return from the disabled list turned out pretty good. He allowed one run in six innings in Sunday’s win over the Brewers and is now 4-0 on the year.
5) Braves (41-28) (3)
Atlanta had a 2-4 week but the NL East is so bad, the Braves still own a 6 ½ game lead – the largest in baseball.
6) Pirates (41-28) (6)
The Pirates have the third best record in the majors. Unfortunately the only two teams with better records are in their division (Cardinals, Reds).
7) Orioles (40-30) (9)
Took three of four from the Red Sox this weekend to pull within 1½ games of the AL East lead.
8) Tigers (38-29) (8)
The Tigers have the best home record in the American League, so it bodes well that they play the next 10 games at Comerica Park.
9) Yankees (38-31) (5)
Ended a five-game losing streak by escaping with a 6-5 win over the Angels after taking a 6-0 lead into the ninth inning on Sunday. But the health of Mark Teixeira, who re-aggravated his wrist injury, is a big concern.
10) Rays (36-33) (11)
The Rays face a crucial seven-game road trip to Boston and New York, followed by a series with the suddenly surging Blue Jays.
11) Rockies (37-33) (14)
It won’t be easy replacing Troy Tulowitzki, who was placed on the DL last week with a rib injury. He ranks second in the NL in batting average (.347), third in home runs (16) and fourth in RBIs (51)
12) Rangers (38-31) (10)
They have lost six in a row and now face the Athletics – whom they trail by three games in the AL West – in a four-game series at home.
13) Diamondbacks (37-32) (13)
Winners of two of their past eight games, Arizona has fallen on hard times. They may still be in first place but three teams in the NL West are within two games.
14) Padres (35-34) (18)
Impressive week for the Padres, who swept the first place Braves and Diamondbacks to get over .500 for the first time all season and are two games out of first place in the NL West.
15) Royals (33-34) (17)
Since ending an eight-game losing streak with a memorable win over the Cardinals that ended after 3 a.m., on May 31, The Royals are 11-5.
16) Giants (35-33) (12)
The Giants are really struggling, but the defending champs have shown they know how to win when it counts – they won all six games when facing elimination last postseason.
17) Nationals (34-34) (15)
Stephen Strasburg’s return to the mound Sunday after a DL stint, wasn’t bad, but he received no offensive support in a 2-0 loss to the Indians.
18) Indians (34-34) (16)
It’s been a brutal June for the Indians, but they have won four of five thanks to excellent pitching.
19) Twins (30-36) (22)
The Twins are ranked last in quality starts, but it doesn’t help that the offense can’t score runs, either.
20) Mariners (31-39) (20)
With Tom Wilhelmsen struggling, Oliver Perez got the first shot to fill in as Seattle’s closer and he earned a save Friday night against the A’s. Yes, that Oliver Perez, who has a 1.11 ERA this season.
21) Phillies (33-37) (19)
Finished a brutal 10-game road trip with a 3-7 record. Cole Hamels, who was 17-6 last season, is 2-10 thus far.
22) Blue Jays (32-36) (28)
Five in a row and eight of 10, and the Jays are finally playing as many thought they would after this offseason’s big acquisitions of R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson and Jose Reyes.
23) White Sox (28-38) (21)
A sweep at the hands of the Astros? That’s about as bad as it can get in the MLB these days.
24) Cubs (28-39) (26)
Carlos Marmol showed why he was removed from his role as closer earlier in the season on Sunday. In one-third of an inning, he allowed three hits and four runs to the Mets including two home runs, which turned their 3-0 lead into a 4-3 loss.
25) Angels (30-39) (23)
Howie Kendrick is the hottest-hitting Angel right now, batting .500 (24-for-48) in the month of June. Not exactly the first name you think of on a team with Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton.
26) Dodgers (29-39) (25)
Week two of Puig Mania didn’t result in any home runs or RBIs, although Puig did hit .500 (10-for-20), in the Dodgers 2-4 week.
27) Mets (25-39) (27)
A miraculous comeback on Sunday saved the Mets from being swept by the Cubs. Zack Wheeler’s debut on Tuesday can’t come soon enough.
28) Astros (26-44) (30)
Who are these Astros? Won four in a row allowing nine combined runs, with the past three having each been by one run.
29) Marlins (21-47) (24)
Giancarlo Stanton’s return for the Marlins resulted in a 3-3 week for the Marlins, in which he had two homers and seven RBIs.
30) Brewers (28-40) (29)
Ryan Braun, the only real reason to watch the Brewers, will be out at least a week with a thumb injury. Is it time for the Packers, yet?