Are we the worst team in the A.L. East?

[DocJJ]

Honest question.  I'm not saying we're bad.... We'd probably be fine in any other division, but it still looks like everyone in the A.L. East is still better than we are....

I know, it's early, small sample size, etc...   but it's hard to envision finishing higher than New York, Tampa, Toronto...   

 

 

 

[HakunaSakata]

I think we have a shot at finishing ahead of the Red Sox, but probably yes and that's mostly because of our starting pitching is atrocious. 

[interloper]

It's tough to say, but to me we looked how we always do against the Yankees. Everyone was sharing Aaron Boone's quotes about the Orioles being a tough team and contender after we beat them by one single run at home on Opening Day. Like wow we did it!!! We've arrived!!! And then of course they have no problem dispatching us as usual the next two games. 

This Orioles team still has a long way to go. It has to find a way to beat guys like Brito.

[Pickles]

It's possible.  I still think we're better than Boston.

It's unfortunate to be in the division but even as the fourth best team in the division, as we saw last year, there's a path to the postseason.

Edited April 10, 2023 by Pickles

[CaptDbog]

I think the O's are better than Boston but not by a ton.  Does MLB have a balance schedule now?  I can't remember if that was agreed during the collective bargaining. 

[Pickles]

Just now, CaptDbog said:

I think the O's are better than Boston but not by a ton.  Does MLB have a balance schedule now?  I can't remember if that was agreed during the collective bargaining. 

Yes, balanced schedules, so the difficulty of the division is greatly reduced in importance.

[Moose Milligan]

It’s between us and Boston. I expected Tampa to be better this year but not this good so far. 

[Too Tall]

We could be but it's too soon to tell. Let's see how we do over the next few series. We did well at home last year even with THE WALL. Last year we played the Jays and Rays tough. This is another year and they didn't get any worse. Boston is getting their starting pitching healthy but they just lost their center fielder. Yankees also are getting More starting pitching healthy too which is a real bummer. Real question is can we win more than Tampa, Toronto, and/or Boston? As much as I love my O's, looking at all the "givens," I wouldn't bet on it right now! But, there are 153 games left.

[eddie83]

I’m not buying Boston is better than us. How will guys like Duvall and Turner perform over the course of the season. Jansen as well. I’m not in love with their pitching either. I like our youth and upside over them.  
 

 

Tampa is good but they aren’t this good. The best odds of making playoffs are clearly to finish in 3rd but it’s not like they can’t make it as a 4th place team. I’m not saying I think the Orioles are better than the Yanks this year but they have some age with guys like Rizzo, DJ and Stanton as well. 

[JR Oriole]

I think we are, but mainly because I think people underestimated Boston.  They are the Red Sox, which means they are never as bad as we want them to be.  They have a lineup of proven major league hitters, which we don't. And while their pitching may be suspect, their offense can be good enough to compensate. 

[webbrick2010]

Yes

[Going Underground]

19 minutes ago, eddie83 said:

I’m not buying Boston is better than us. How will guys like Duvall and Turner perform over the course of the season. Jansen as well. I’m not in love with their pitching either. I like our youth and upside over them.  
 

 

Tampa is good but they aren’t this good. The best odds of making playoffs are clearly to finish in 3rd but it’s not like they can’t make it as a 4th place team. I’m not saying I think the Orioles are better than the Yanks this year but they have some age with guys like Rizzo, DJ and Stanton as well. 

Duvall may be out  for a  while.  Tampa has played the bottom feeders. Yankees and Jays are better on paper. Injuries will play a big part 

Edited April 10, 2023 by Going Underground

[LA2]

40 minutes ago, eddie83 said:

I’m not buying Boston is better than us. How will guys like Duvall and Turner perform over the course of the season. Jansen as well. I’m not in love with their pitching either. I like our youth and upside over them.  
 

 

Tampa is good but they aren’t this good. The best odds of making playoffs are clearly to finish in 3rd but it’s not like they can’t make it as a 4th place team. I’m not saying I think the Orioles are better than the Yanks this year but they have some age with guys like Rizzo, DJ and Stanton as well. 

One shd add Donaldson to that list--the old/injured Yankees scenario is not at all unlikely: look what happened last year. 2nd half will be a new season with its own set of Oriole-specific Qs beyond the Ys though--like Means' possible return, how well Givens and Tate recover, and whether Grayson and Gunnar can fulfill their potential in their rookie seasons.

[Sports Guy]

1 hour ago, Moose Milligan said:

It’s between us and Boston. I expected Tampa to be better this year but not this good so far. 

Tampa won 86 games last year with basically all of their best players out.

They came into the year with Houston and Toronto as the 3 best teams in the AL and you could order them any way you wanted.

[Frobby]

1 hour ago, Pickles said:

Yes, balanced schedules, so the difficulty of the division is greatly reduced in importance.

The correct characterization is “more balanced than before.” The O’s still play each AL East team about twice as often as they do any other team.  

Edited April 10, 2023 by Frobby