Comparing Orioles' 4-0 starts from 2016 and 2017

The Orioles have won four games by a total of five runs to start the new season. Three wins by a run and one by two. One win in extra innings. Two wins in the series with New York where they have come from behind.

A plus-five run differential isn't impressive, but their won-loss record is. No other team is unbeaten in the majors at this point, just Baltimore. They lead the American League East by one game over Tampa Bay, by two over Boston and already are 3 1/2 games up on New York and Toronto.

So, yeah, pretty good start.

For the second year in a row, the Orioles have started 4-0. They went to 7-0 last season before their first loss. They can get to 5-0 later today and sweep the Yankees if they win this afternoon at Oriole Park.

Comparing the 4-0 starts from the last two seasons ...

Orioles in 2016/Orioles in 2017
Run differential: plus-10/plus-5
Team average: .285/.237
Runs: 17/17
Home Runs: 7/5
Team ERA: 1.50/2.84
Starters' ERA: 1.42/5.06
Bullpen ERA: 1.59/0.00

The four starters to begin the 2016 season were Chris Tillman, Yovani Gallardo, Ubaldo Jiménez and then Tillman again. The four this season have been Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Jiménez and Gausman again.

Both years, the Orioles got some early clutch hits. The 2016 team hit .370 (10-for-27) with runners in scoring position in the first four games. This year's club has hit .391 (9-for-23) with RISP so far. They are 7-for-14 with RISP in the New York series.

The Orioles' opponents so far - Toronto and New York for two games each - are batting just .176 (6-for-34) with runners in scoring position.

The Orioles bullpen has been outstanding, with 16 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing 13 hits with nine walks and 16 strikeouts. The club's bullpen has recorded three of the team's four wins. The Orioles and the Chicago White Sox (at 13 1/3 innings) are the only AL clubs with bullpen ERAs of 0.00 right now.

So far, pretty good for the 2017 Orioles with a long, long, long way to go.