Despite recent losses, O's finish first half above expectations
| Exclusive MASNsports.com Video Check out Part One of Steve Melewski's one-on-one interview with Dave Trembley. B-Rob's O's Blog: Catch up with B-Rob's O's Blog only on MASNsports.com and ask Brian a question for his next post. |  |
For a team that many predicted would lose 100 or more games this season, the Orioles have surprised a lot of the experts with a decent first-half. They have spent less than 20 days under .500 and have held their own with much more heralded clubs like the Red Sox, Yankees and Cubs.
At their best, the O's, for much of the year, were within reach of a Wild Card playoff berth; and, at their worst, you could still certainly say the rebuilding of the club is ahead of schedule.
There have been thrilling comeback wins and some devastating losses, as there have been in most seasons. A big question for the second half - can this be the team that ends the ten-year run of losing seasons?
To answer that question, let's take a look at how the O's are progressing through the season.
The Offense
The offense earns a solid B. It has been better than expected, especially after a slow start. Through May, the Orioles were averaging 4.1 runs per game. Since June that number is up to a whopping 5.9 runs per game.
The Birds are 4th in the league in homers, 5th in OPS and 6th in runs scored.
They are getting a better than expected year from Aubrey Huff and typically solid years from players like Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis. Adam Jones has been solid and looks as if he'll have a big second-half.
The O's aren't getting the production at first and third base that some teams do, but players like Kevin Millar and Melvin Mora have had their share of big hits. They could certainly use more offense from the catcher and shortstop positions.
The Pitching
Starting Pitching: C- Bullpen: B
The Orioles rotation has an ERA of 5.02 which is about the worst in the AL. Jeremy Guthrie has been amazing with his consistency, and Daniel Cabrera has improved, but the other three spots have not been solid enough. But the O's know they have to put up with growing pains with pitchers like Garrett Olson and Radhames Liz. This group is the key to the second half. A solid job from the starters, and the O's can make a real run at 80-plus wins. If the 5.02 ERA goes up even more, a second-half collapse is possible.
Until blowing a few leads in recent weeks, the bullpen has been rock solid. But the Matt Albers injury changed some roles, and the O's are still trying to find the right mix to survive his loss. All-Star George Sherrill was a key reason the team got off to a nice start, but now has six blown saves, too many for a top closer. The future of this group could be very bright if some of the injured guys with power arms come back strong, like Jim Hoey, Chris Ray and Bob McCrory.
The Defense
The O's defense earns a C. The Orioles rank in the middle of the league in many defensive categories and they are pretty much about an average, maybe just slightly above average fielding team. They are Gold Glove-caliber at second, center and right field, but nothing special anywhere else. Ramon Hernandez struggles blocking pitches at times, and some suggest he's not the greatest at calling a game.
Still, most nights, the O's do not beat themselves on defense. There have been exceptions, but they are pretty rare.
The Manager
Dave Trembley earns a B. I've never believed a manager is worth a certain number of wins a season, even the best ones. Most of his decisions don't win or lose games. The players do that with their performance. But it's his job to maximize that performance and put the right players in the right spots.
A manager needs to set a tone for the club, and Dave Trembley has done that for the 2008 Orioles. By now the whole league knows they are a scrappy, somewhat overachieving bunch that will play you tough to the last pitch.
Dave Trembley and Andy MacPhail have tried to change the culture of losing baseball in Baltimore, and while that job is far from complete, the early returns are very positive.
First-Half MVP: Brian Roberts
While I've been surprised at how many times he's been picked off base this year, just about everything else he's done has been solid and at times spectacular. He is simply one of the game's best leadoff hitters and defensive second basemen. He is at the top of the AL or near it in doubles, triples, extra-base hits and steals. Aubrey Huff finishes a close second here.
Prediction for Second-Half MVP: Adam Jones
This young man is coming on and coming on fast. With each day, he's learning the strike zone better, and that should put fear into AL pitchers. You can see the power slowly coming, and since June, Jones has been a hot hitter.
Adam is also modest and wants to learn, two admirable qualities. He has a chance to be a star in this league for a lot of years and could, before too long, be the next face of the Orioles franchise.
Leave a comment