Pulling out the close games has helped the Orioles surge into first place

It does confound some analysts. The Orioles, while ranking 10^th in MLB in run differential, are second in the sport in winning percentage.

Just how are they doing that?

Winning a lot of close games is how.

Ironically, when the Orioles returned to the playoffs in 2012 after a 14-year drought, they won a lot of close games. That team had a plus seven run differential for the year but won 93 games. Yep, 93 while barely outscoring the opponents for the year.

O’s second baseman Adam Frazier isn’t too worried about the run differential totals as much as the win total.

“When you are sound in all the facets of the game, you can win close games,” he said during the Yankees series. “If you’re not, then that ends up costing you close games. Coming from Seattle, people were all over them about the same issue the past few years. But when your pitching is good and your defense is good, it comes down to getting a big hit late. Kind of similar here. We have a bunch of good arms, good defenders and capable hitters. I think it is about paying attention to detail and being good in all facets of the game and that will go a long way later in the season.”

How good are the O’s in the close games?

Since June 20, they are 11-5 in games decided by one or two runs. For the year, according to Stats and Stats Perform they lead MLB in win percentage in games decided by two or less. These stats are through Saturday's games.

.653 – Orioles (32-17)

.647 – Miami (33-18)

.604 – San Francisco (29-19)

.600 – Atlanta (27-18)

.588 – Milwaukee (30-21)

When it comes to one-run games, the Birds .667 win percentage at 20-10 ranks third in the majors behind Miami (23-9, .719) and Milwaukee (20-9, .690).

“Think part of it is our lineup really,” said Frazier. “Everybody is capable. Our pitchers keep us in the game and we do our job coming through with big hits.”

And he said some of the team’s youngest and more inexperienced players have a hand in pulling out some close wins.

“I just think that is who they are," said Frazier. "They are great players, and they are confident in their ability. I don’t think they are scared of the moment. It’s good to have a lot of guys like that in the clubhouse. We’re going to need that down the stretch and hopefully into October.”

There is a feeling late if the game is close, they will pull it out.

“Sometimes it is something just like a leadoff walk which can start it. Against (Pete) Fairbanks in Tampa, you get a bloop hit, a crazy bunt and then someone comes through. I don’t know, maybe it’s a bit of heightened focus later in the game.

“I feel like we do a good job some nights of putting together a big inning early and then sometimes go stagnant and have to figured it out again late. Maybe we need to do a better job in those middle innings to push a few across and make those later innings less stressful,” he said.

Frazier, a veteran of over 900 MLB games, has been a clutch hitter at times this year, batting .295 with a .929 OPS when batting with runners in scoring position. For his career he hits .278/.789 with RISP.

“Just a matter of staying calm and making the pitcher come to you (in key spots like that),” he said. “He is the one in the tight spot, so just be under control, try to stay within yourself and make something happen.

“You want to come through for the team and need to figure out a way to get the job done. I’d much rather be in that situation than not. Just come through and win a game. I guess I hate to lose maybe more than I like to win. It’s about that will to win.”

And Frazier said over the years he tries to get so focused and locked in in those spots that he could barely hear a full stadium cheering.

“I don’t hear much in that situation. It’s just noise. You are in control. Stay within yourself and try to come through. That is where I’m at,” he said.

And where the Orioles are at is first place and winning so many close games has been a big reason.

O's win Yankees series: The Orioles 9-3 win Sunday night was not a close win, but it gave them the series victory this weekend and the season series win over New York 7-6 for the first time since 2016. 

Click here for the game story on the latest victory, one that keeps the Orioles atop the AL East by 1.5 games.