Orioles in 1st place

[Palmoripken]

First place. Not tied.

I thought we were a game back going in today, no? In any case. Woot. That was a nice win tonight.

[allquixotic]

I think there is a very real chance that Toronto and the Red Sox will flip-flop in the standings. Perhaps they might even do that several times before the season is over. The division is tightening up a lot.

The only ones who look unlikely are the Yankees and the Rays. But since it's so early in the season, even the Yankees have a shot. Perhaps unlikely though. Very unlikely for the Rays but they could still decide to win out the season, so I guess we can't count them out until August-ish time frame.

Edited June 4, 2016 by allquixotic

[eddie83]

I still don't know how good we are but I am very impressed. That rough series in Houston then they win 2 of 3 in Cleveland. Boston looks great first 2 games and we win 3 straight with poor starting pitching.

[eddie83]

I think there is a very real chance that Toronto and the Red Sox will flip-flop in the standings. Perhaps they might even do that several times before the season is over. The division is tightening up a lot.

Starting to be worried about the Jays, not that I thought otherwise.

[Palmoripken]

I still don't know how good we are but I am very impressed. That rough series in Houston then they win 2 of 3 in Cleveland. Boston looks great first 2 games and we win 3 straight with poor starting pitching.

It's a long season. We got a lot of heart though. A very resilent bunch as you get as the aftermath of the Houston and early parts of the Boston series.

[eddie83]

It's a long season. We got a lot of heart though. A very resilent bunch as you get as the aftermath of the Houston and early parts of the Boston series.

Exactly. Very happy with their effort. Bats had been cool before recently. Good timing. Good teams pick each other up but our starters have to be better.

[Palmoripken]

Exactly. Very happy with their effort. Bats had been cool before recently. Good timing. Good teams pick each other up but our starters have to be better.

They're well managed and seem to have each other's backs. Some will say chemistry is overrated but I strongly disagree.

[spiritof66]

To me, the question has always been whether we or the Red Sox or both can hang with Toronto. Pretty sure the NYYs and Rays can't.

[Palmoripken]

To me, the question has always been whether we or the Red Sox or both can hang with Toronto. Pretty sure the NYYs and Rays can't.

It's a good question. I like us though. I'm biased as hell but I think we have a nice thing going over Boston, and that's the pen. Plus as funny as it sounds but I think we got more guys who have been there before. Outside Ortiz, there's really not a ton of guys with a ton of pennant run experience on Boston.

[Uli2001]

I still don't know how good we are but I am very impressed. That rough series in Houston then they win 2 of 3 in Cleveland. Boston looks great first 2 games and we win 3 straight with poor starting pitching.

The answer is, I guarantee: not as good as they look right now, not as bad as they looked in Houston and the first two games of the Sox series. Somewhere in between. Nothing has changed, if you think about it. The offense is explosive, the bullpen is lockdown, and the starters... well something to do with smoke and mirrors. It has been like this since the second half of 2011 (i.e., the entire Showalter tenure).

[Uli2001]

Starting to be worried about the Jays, not that I thought otherwise.

The division will be a three-headed monster all summer. O's, Sox, and Jays are all 85-win teams at least, barring an unlikely second-half collapse (however, remember the 2012 Red Sox).

[eddie83]

To me, the question has always been whether we or the Red Sox or both can hang with Toronto. Pretty sure the NYYs and Rays can't.

Rays are odd this year. Some of their starters are struggling. I figured Yankees would not be as good offensively as last year.

[El Gordo]

I don't think the SP s up to it. Tillman tonight had me scratching my head. Do all our SP have to give up 5 R by the 6th? Something needs to be done.

[eddie83]

The division will be a three-headed monster all summer. O's, Sox, and Jays are all 85-win teams at least, barring an unlikely second-half collapse (however, remember the 2012 Red Sox).

I still think Sox will make some moves at deadline. Price hasn't pitched well yet either. Jays had year last year like Sox this year where whole lineup hits.

Jays have the second best ERA in AL. If that lasts watch out.

[eddie83]

I don't think the SP s up to it. Tillman tonight had me scratching my head. Do all our SP have to give up 5 R by the 6th? Something needs to be done.

Sounds like Gallardo will be back after one more start in minors. They can't keep going like this no question.