O's lead the AL in fielding percentage (.989)

[Sydnor]

11 minutes ago, Aglets said:

We are essentially tied with Boston for 2nd best offense in the division too. 

We are scoring about 5 runs per game this year so far........compared to 4.16 per game in 2022.   That's a significant improvement.  (we had the 4th best offense in the division last year)

You’re absolutely correct. Six everyday or almost everyday players (Hays, Mullins, Adley, Henderson, Santander, and Urias) are currently solidly above average by wRC+. Hicks and O’Hearn are also way above average, and have helped cover the Mullins absence (along with Gunnar’s heater), though I will be very pleasantly surprised if they maintain an above average wRC+. The offense has generally been very good. I’d like to see Ortiz get more opportunities during this call up because I think he could join those six.

[interloper]

Better pitching, better offense, defense that doesn't kill you. 

There's always room to want better from all 3 phases of the game, but collectively they add up to one of the best teams in baseball. 

[Aglets]

4 minutes ago, wildcard said:

So if the pen overall is about as good as last year and that is the main factor in the O's winning ways this season, how are they on a 102 win pace?

Oh also don't forget that our entire division is benefiting from a more balanced schedule.   That is good for multiple wins as well I think we all agree.

[Can_of_corn]

6 minutes ago, wildcard said:

So if the pen overall is about as good as last year and that is the main factor in the O's winning ways this season, how are they on a 102 win pace?

You did see the part about the offense averaging almost a run more per game right?

And, as I am sure you are aware, I was talking about Cano going forward.

Obviously the unreal stretch he had early in the season was helpful.

[Moose Milligan]

One of my favorite OH traditions is seeing wildcard get uppity when the Orioles are going good, him trying to explain why the Orioles are good, and then ignoring/downplaying other people telling him better reasons why the Orioles are good.

Shine on you crazy diamond, wildcard.  Never change.

[Aristotelian]

27 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

From what I've seen Adley's metrics have taken a pretty fair hit this season.  Hopefully it's just the ebb and flow of things and not the new normal.

Agreed, that did occur to me, but is it enough to take us from an average defensive team to one of the worst in MLB? Maybe that McKenna drop was itself enough to affect our metrics. That was such a bad one! I still say watching the team I do not think defense is a major problem, so I am inclined to look at some of the other metrics rather than accept OAA as authoritative in itself. 

 

[forphase1]

41 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

I have been consistently surprised at this since we were average last year and have essentially the same team. Was Odor worth that much at 2B?  Or is Gunnar that bad? I don't think so. 

Some other metrics have us better... RTot has us #7, Fielding Bible DRS #19, BIS-DRS #17. I honestly have no idea which is the best but the eye test says we are around average. I do not think we are a bad defensive team. 

Defense metrics are,  in my opinion, messy, variable and prone to vast fluctuations. It's one reason why I somewhat discounted how valuable Mateo would be this year as last years top rated defenders are often average the next year by the numbers.   I like defensive metrics and certainly use and reference them often, but they aren't a reliable as offensive metrics that are much easier to measure.   They are valuable,  just have to take them with a bigger grain of salt. 

[Sports Guy]

50 minutes ago, wildcard said:

So if the pen overall is about as good as last year and that is the main factor in the O's winning ways this season, how are they on a 102 win pace?

Pace means nothing. No guarantee of anything.

There are lots of reasons why. BP is the most important.

[deward]

59 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Pace means nothing. No guarantee of anything.

There are lots of reasons why. BP is the most important.

Wins in the bank mean something.

[baltfan]

2 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

You will agree that simply counting errors is a poor way to assess defensive ability right?

I am willing to concede this but hope that others would be willing to agree that there is likely psychological benefit to pitchers when fielders make the plays they are expected to make that isn't quantified by OAA.

[Malike]

Nearly as meaningful, the O's also lead the AL in the most drinks through a hose this season.

[Sports Guy]

1 hour ago, deward said:

Wins in the bank mean something.

Right..and we don’t have 102 of them.

[Sports Guy]

55 minutes ago, baltfan said:

I am willing to concede this but hope that others would be willing to agree that there is likely psychological benefit to pitchers when fielders make the plays they are expected to make that isn't quantified by OAA.

OAA is simply turning batted balls into outs. I think it’s just as deflating when players don’t make plays they should have made, whether it’s an error or just not being good enough.

[baltfan]

4 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

OAA is simply turning batted balls into outs. I think it’s just as deflating when players don’t make plays they should have made, whether it’s an error or just not being good enough.

Meh, many times the pitcher isn't going to be in a position to know if they actually should have gotten to the ball since they can't see the jump or exact position of the player ahead of time.  

[jabba72]

3 hours ago, wildcard said:

So if the pen overall is about as as last year and that is the main factor in the O's winning ways this season, how are they on a 102 win pace?

The O's have 3 SP with ERA's under 4.00 for one thing. Bradish, Wells and Gibson have definitely been a strength this year. Kremer is starting to trend in that direction as well.