When someone talks about the AL East, you often hear things about how the New York Yankees are the biggest team in all of baseball, or about why the Boston Red Sox remain as one of the most iconic franchises even if their present is not as shiny as it was a few years ago. We can even throw the Toronto Blue Jays into the mix based on the success they’ve conquered in recent years.
The 2016 MLB season, however, showed that there’s another team willing to sneak their way into the conversation for the Division crown: the Baltimore Orioles.
On the surface we could argue the Orioles made headlines in free agency for all the wrong reasons, most notably their delay in signing slugger Chris Davis, and the situation about Dexter Fowler’s contract that forced the outfielder to return to the Chicago Cubs. They were not considered favorites to make the playoffs this year, and several experts believed they would end near the bottom of the standings considering their rivals and the strength of their roster.
All ever Baltimore has done is starting the season with a spectacular 7-1 record that tops the American League, and rivals the Chicago Cubs for the best register in all of baseball.
Most of the credit should go to manager Buck Showalter, at least for the early season success. One of the most intelligent tacticians in baseball, Showalter has shown an incredible ability to maximize the talent on the roster on both sides of the ball, and he has been able to give at-bats to all players in the team. Speaking of talent, the Orioles have a few players that can get things done offensively – one of the biggest reasons of their incredible start to the year.
Everything starts with Chris Davis. The slugger signed a seven-year deal worth $161MM and he’s the one anchoring the lineup either as a DH or as a 1B. Davis has only hit .233 to start the campaign, but four of his seven hit have left the year so the power is definitively there. Mark Trumbo is another power-hitting outfielder who’s playing very well, hitting .406 with 13 hits in 32 at-bats.
The star of the franchise, however, is Manny Machado. A slick defender either at SS or 3B, Machado is batting almost .500 thanks to a .441 average, three homers and four RBI. His OPS is a staggering 1.281, and if he keeps this up then he’s very likely to be in the MVP conversation once the season ends.
The talent doesn’t stop there, though. Adam Jones is one of the most consistent center fielders in MLB, and Jonathan Schoop with J.J. Hardy form one of the most reliable DP combos in the AL.
The rotation (a four-man one, must be noted) features Chris Tillman, Yovani Gallardo and Ubaldo Jimenez at the top three. Neither of these players can be considered a bonafide ace, but both have excelled in previous years as N°2 arms, and they should be capable of getting the job done.
The bullpen is one of the best weapons the Orioles will have this season. Loaded with power and depth, there are three arms that are very intriguing and that could play a major role for Baltimore in 2016: Dylan Bundy, Darren O’Day and Zach Britton.
Bundy is a former prospect that saw his road bumped due to injuries, but he’s beginning to turn things around this year and could become a dependable player in the back of the ‘pen. O’Day is coming off a fourth straight season lowering his ERA, and has yet to allow a run in five appearances this year. Finally, Britton must one of the most underrated closers, and the lefty is coming off a stellar 2015 campaign where he notched 36 saves.
The Orioles might not have the history of the Red Sox, the resources of the Yankees or the power of the Blue Jays. But they have enough talent to compete with all of them, and they have already shown they will be a serious contender for the Division title this season.