2012 was a magical season for the Orioles. However, despite having almost the exact same team intact this year, few expected that the Orioles would be able to duplicate those efforts this season.
A month into the 2013 campaign, the Birds sit at 16-12 and it’s pretty apparent to me that this team has picked up right where they left off last season and will be contenders all season.
Many people looked at their record in one-run games and extra-inning games last year and viewed the Orioles to be more lucky than good. I too believe that record will probably not be duplicated but I also think winning those games is more about a good bullpen and winning mindset – the O’s had that last year and they have that this year. Despite their extra inning losses to the Blue Jays and A’s, nobody on the Orioles lacks confidence that they can win these games and I expect to see them on winning side more so than the losing side in extra-inning games.
I don’t know about anyone else but it certainly is refreshing to me to have the belief that nomatter how many runs they are down and how many outs remain the Orioles will continue to fight – and often comeback – to win the game.
The Red Sox are in first place, yet it was the Orioles who went in there and took two out of three games in the series, including a dramatic come from behind win in the second game when it looked like they were on the verge of losing their second straight game. The Orioles then went to Yankee Stadium and were in line to possibly beat CC Sabathia when Adam Jones dropped a fairly routine fly ball leading to three runs and the loss for the Orioles.
Certainly after losing in such excruciating fashion, and playing an afternoon game the next day, there’s no way the Orioles would win, right? Wrong. This team showed their resiliency and came out and rebounded for the win. A few games later, the O’s got down early to the Rays as they were down by four against the reigning AL Cy Young winner David Price. Instead of rolling over and just looking toward the next game, the Orioles rebounded and not only came back to tie the game but won it on a walk-off grand slam.
Sure, the Orioles have some issues – their starting pitching outside of Chen and Hammel has been average at best, they have huge offensive question marks at 2nd base and designated hitter, and they have yet to find a 5thstarter. However, there is one place where they seem to always excel: the win column. The baseball season is a grind and throughout 162 games there are ups and downs, but being successful throughout the season isn’t about luck.
There was just something magical about the Orioles last season and that magic has continued for the first month this season. Sure Jim Johnson and the bullpen haven’t looked untouchable at times, and they likely will lose more one-run games than last season, but the Orioles are near the top of the standings and will be all season.
One night it might be Chris Davis delivering a big homer, the next night it could be 20-year-old Manny Machado hitting a home run off of a successful closer to give his team the lead and the next night it could be Steve Pearce or Alexi Casilla… you just never know. Winning is contagious and no matter who the O’s seem to put in the game they seem to produce at a key moment.
Last year we saw a team that never quit, one that cared about each other and the fans, and always gave max effort. The same can be said for them this season.
So far 2013 is looking a lot like 2012 and I have a feeling this season might end even later this time in October.
The magic of Orioles baseball!!
Follow Marco on twitter @mromanell and southbmore.com @southbmore1
