What was the turning point of the season for the O's?

[Can_of_corn]

More than even the value he brings when healthy is the steadying influence he has on those two.

I'd be interesting in repping anyone willing to do the work to see if I am right or not.

[Larry18]

I'd be interesting in repping anyone willing to do the work to see if I am right or not.

On May 14th, Dan Connolly wrote a story about Manny's early season error total (8). Hardy had played 7 games at that point. He now has 15 at third.

[weams]

I said this earlier and I don't have anything to back it up but it seems to me that an inordinate amount of errors by Machado and Schoop have been when Hardy wasn't playing.

That's what my wife has said all year.

[Can_of_corn]

That's what my wife has said all year.

Then she should post more and share her wisdom with the rest of us.

[Three Run Homer]

Games 2-4 of the Twins series are what everyone will remember about this season (just like everyone remembers the Arizona series in 2013).

But this team never had much magic. Another poster pointed out in another thread that the O's are last or close to last in MLB in OPS in late and close situations, which is why their one-run record is so poor despite having an outstanding back end of the bullpen.

The O's were first in the same stat last year, so I don't think this is a repeatable skill or deficiency. Next year they will probably revert to the pack and their one-run record will revert as well. But it's definitely a primary reason why they have underperformed their Pythagorean record this season.

[weams]

Then she should post more and share her wisdom with the rest of us.

When she does a video.

[25 Nuggets]

For me it's pretty clearly the Minnesota series. The last 3 games were gut-wrenching.

The Minnesota series ended everything. Losing 4 at home to that team (and all 7 overall) was like getting kicked 4 straight times in the marbles....by somebody half your size. I get that they have some good players, but they have lost at least 2 games to EVERY other team in the majors they have played and are actually under .500 against the rest of league.

Starting with that series, the Os have lost 5 straight series and one more Yankee loss this week makes it 6. That is very Dave Trembley-esque.

Add another one for this. Considering the upcoming schedule, the Orioles blew that series big time.

[RayC]

I don't think we had a turning point. We are what we are this year and may have been over achieving for part of it.

With undisciplined hitters and erratic SP...we were destined to finish as we are now doing. It just took until August for this to coalesce in to a string of hear reaching defeats.

There has to be a major change in attitude for next year, as well as some new players and coaches.

[Davey]

I think the Garden Gnome may have been the turning point. Someone please look up our stats pre and post Garden Gnome.

[mdbdotcom]

I think the Garden Gnome may have been the turning point. Someone please look up our stats pre and post Garden Gnome.

You are correct. We were tied for first the day of the Garden Gnome giveaway and stayed there for four more days, but it's been downhill ever since.

[Can_of_corn]

You are correct. We were tied for first the day of the Garden Gnome giveaway and stayed there for four more days, but it's been downhill ever since.

How can it be the turning point if they stayed in first four more days?

[mdbdotcom]

How can it be the turning point if they stayed in first four more days?

It's a process. They were waiting for the Gnome to percolate.

[mdbdotcom]

How can it be the turning point if they stayed in first four more days?

We lost three of the next four games, but so did the team we were tied with.

[Can_of_corn]

We lost three of the next four games, but so did the team we were tied with.

So?

If it's a maliciously magic gnome why couldn't it make the teams behind us win?

[mdbdotcom]

So?

If it's a maliciously magic gnome why couldn't it make the teams behind us win?

I suspect that it wasn't the gnome itself, but the fact of the gnome. Perhaps making Buck look silly changed the way the players saw him. And now, the emperor has no gnome.