Daniel Clark: Untimely errors may cost Orioles AL's top seed

Holding onto a 10-game division lead with a postseason berth looking more likely each day, the focus for many Orioles fans is now shifting toward whether or not their team can claim the American League's No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs. Currently, the Angels hold possession of this, four games ahead of the 85-59 Orioles. While there are many variables within each game that ultimately decide the result, the number of errors committed in the field and the impact they have is a variable, which tends to be analyzed more closely than most. In the case of the Orioles, given their defensive strength in recent years, it is widely accepted that the defense is one variable not costing the Orioles too significantly. However, upon closer investigation, it becomes clear that errors may actually be one of the leading causes should the Orioles miss out on the top-seed. With the likes of J.J. Hardy, Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters on the roster, it was no surprise that during the 2013 season, the Orioles set two all-time MLB defensive records - fewest errors committed in a season (54) and the highest fielding percentage in a season (.991). The quartet, which has combined to earn eight Gold Glove Awards, played a crucial role in keeping the error count down as well as making seemingly impossible plays possible. In 2014, though, three of the four have experienced injury concerns at various points of the season. This has led to replacements being required and inconsistency in the team heading onto the field. This is unsettling for any team as it breaks up the chemistry, especially between infielders, and the Orioles have shown that they too are vulnerable when it occurs. I acknowledge that nobody expected a repeat of the exceptionally high standards set last season, but through 144 games in 2014, the Orioles have committed 72 errors and are on track to record 81 by season's end. This would be an increase of 50 percent from 2013. Granted, the Orioles are still tied for third-fewest errors committed in all of baseball, but an increase of this size in the wrong direction is a cause for concern regardless. This increase has ultimately led to a higher number of games being lost, as on seven occasions this season, errors have led to unearned runs being scored - runs that have been crucial in the final result. These seven occasions include: * April 11 - Blue Jays score two unearned runs in the fourth on two Jonathan Schoop errors. Orioles lost 2-0. * April 20 - Red Sox score two unearned runs in the seventh and one in the ninth on errors by Ryan Flaherty, Schoop and David Lough. Orioles lost 6-5. * June 5 - Rangers score three unearned runs in the seventh on two Hardy errors. Orioles lost 8-6. * June 6 - Athletics score one unearned run in the 11th on a Hardy error. Orioles lost 4-3. * July 5 - Red Sox score one unearned run in the second on a Steve Peace error. Orioles lost 3-2. * July 29 - Angels score two unearned runs in the second on a Chris Tillman error. Orioles lost 7-6. * Sept. 6 - Rays score one unearned run in the ninth on a Ryan Flaherty error (and a Nick Hundley passed ball). Orioles lost 3-2. When the team is winning more often than not - as the Orioles have done this season - it is very easy to overlook areas of concern and focus on the many positives a winning team possesses. For example, many people would have already forgotten about the 3-2 loss last Saturday night against the Rays given that the Orioles have won their last three games. In addition, the come-from-behind win on Sunday covered up the crucial error made by Flaherty in the ninth that sent the game into extra innings. One person who doesn't forget these things, though, is manager Buck Showalter, who frequently reminds that he is always searching for ways to improve this team. Ultimately, the key difference between a good team and a great team is whether or not it can execute the fundamentals of baseball during the postseason - when it matters most. In the case of the Orioles, there is no doubt that they are a good team with an abundance of talent, but in order to push deep into October, they will need to minimize these errors and prove themselves to be a great team - something I believe is certainly possible. Daniel Clark blogs about the Orioles at The Big Leagues Daily from Melbourne, Australia. Follow him on Twitter: @DC_TBLDaily. His thoughts on the O's appear here as part of MASNsports.com's continuing commitment to welcome guest bloggers to our little corner of cyberspace. All opinions expressed are those of the guest bloggers, who are not employed by MASNsports.com but are just as passionate about their baseball as our roster of writers.