3/21: Orioles vs. Blue Jays

Maybe if all of those guys start hitting, we might not need a closer as much as we will be up by alot more going into the ninth.

Just bumping this thread for an update. As a team we are still 3rd in runs scored and 3rd in OPS at .751. Looking up at the Dodgers and Brewers, with Braves right behind us. (Last year we were #7). We are also #6 in ERA, up one spot from #7 last year (#3 in WHIP and tied for #1 in BB allowed). Sports Guy will be disappointed we are only #11 in K's. The teams ahead of us are BOS, SEA, NYY, DET, and PHI, so we are the only team in MLB in the top six in runs scored and ERA.  Unlike previous years where we have had to outperform our run differential, this year we are +45, second only to the Dodgers. At a high level, this is a very, very good team. 

He had his start pushed back the other day because of an illness.  Possible he was still feeling some effects of that and/or the schedule change through him off a little bit.

Yep.  Rotation is better if it stays healthy (massive fingers crossed).  Grayson and Povich are around, too. If/when some of Santander, Mullins, Hays, Kjerstad, Holliday, Mayo start producing the offense should look really good. Replacing Bautista is impossible but I still want another power arm for the pen, though hopefully Wells replaces Baumann at some point.

Kremer is usually pretty average with an awful game thrown in once in awhile. I know it’s an intentional reverse jinx thread but you never know with Kremer.

Of course 

I’m starting to ask myself if this team is better than last year’s.  Of course, 1/5 of the way through the season may not be the right time to ask that question, as there are many twists and turns to come.  But I’m asking anyway. Rotation - I have to say this rotation is better than last year’s.   You’ve got Burnes replacing Gibson, a large upgrade, with no disrespect to Gibson, who played an important role last year.  The 2024 version of Irvin looks better than the 2023 version.  Kremer’s ERA doesn’t show it yet, but his repertoire is better with his new splitter.  It looks like we’ll get more than 23.2 innings from John Means.  It’s a little early to say whether Bradish will stay healthy and be up to last year’s standards, but he looked good on Thursday.  We’re still awaiting the return of Wells and GRod, but we have the depth to weather their absence.   Last year the O’s starters were 11th in MLB in ERA at 4.14, 0.31 better than league average, and averaged 5.42 IP/start, 0.28 innings/start above league average.  This year they’re 6th in ERA at 3.28, 0.68 better than league average; and 3rd in IP/start at 5.66, 0.40 IP/start better than league average.  Advantage: 2024.    Bullpen - Not as good as last year.  We didn’t have Felix Bautista for part of 2023, but while we did, he was the best reliever in MLB, was durable, and could throw 2 innings when needed.  Kimbrel has been brilliant at times, but he clearly can’t handle Felix’s workload and isn’t as consistent.  The rest of the pen looks decent but not brilliant.  The return of Cionel Perez helps and if our injured starters return that will push others to the pen.  Last year the O’s had the 5th best bullpen ERA in MLB at 3.55, 0.62 runs per game better than league average; their save rate was 61%, 16th in MLB and 1% below league average. This year they’re at 3.56 ERA, 11th in MLB, 0.37 runs/game better than league average; and the save rate is 61%, 20th in MLB and 2% below league average.  Advantage, 2023 (but not by as much as you might expect). Offense - Though the bats have been a little quiet the last two series and several veterans are struggling, our maturing young players give us a better offense than last year.   Gunnar has taken it up a notch, Westburg is much better, Cowser has cooled lately but provided an early jolt, and Adley just hums along being Adley.  Last year the offense was 7th in runs per game (4.99, 0.37 above league average) and 6th in OPS+ (107); so far this year they are 4th in R/G (5.12, 0.79 above league average) and 2nd in OPS+ (119).  Advantage, 2024. So, overall, the starting pitching and offense are noticeably better than last year’s, and the bullpen isn’t quite as good but not drastically down.  I’m going to say that the 2024 team could be better than 2023’s, though there’s a long way to go this season and a lot could happen.