The 2013 Orioles offense is outperforming the 2012 version by a big margin

This just in: The Orioles did not hit a homer Monday. They had hit at least one homer in the previous seven games and had hit 16 homers in the previous six games. It didn't slow their offense even a bit, however, as they banged out 15 hits and, despite leaving 14 on base, beat Washington 6-2. The team's offense is humming along pretty well right now. Over the last four games they have 16, nine, 14 and 15 hits with a batting average of .346 in that time. The Orioles have scored six runs or more in five of the last six and seven of the last 11 games. By scoring six runs yesterday, the Orioles set a club record. This is the first time in team history the Orioles have scored five or more runs in 10 consecutive road games. Over their last 16 games, the Orioles' team batting average is .313. In that time, they are averaging 5.6 runs and 11.7 hits per game. Who thought the Orioles offense would be this good? They have gone from ninth in the American League in runs scored in 2012 to third now. They have gone from 10th to second in batting average and from last to second in stolen bases. O's current rank in AL team batting: * First in doubles, homers, slugging and OPS * Second in batting average and stolen bases * Third in runs and OBP Several players are going well at the plate right now. Nick Markakis is batting .377 during a 12-game hitting streak. Manny Machado has five multi-hit games in his last six, batting .448 in that stretch. Chris Davis is batting .394 his last 17 games with 16 extra-base hits (nine doubles and seven homers) in that time. J.J Hardy is batting .307 over his last 22 games with six homers and 16 RBIs. Adam Jones is 11-for-27 during a six-game hitting streak. Matt Wieters, after a 3-for-25 slump, is 6-for-8 his last two games with three doubles and four RBIs. Even some of the bench/role players, like Chris Dickerson and Danny Valencia, have had some strong games lately. The Orioles offense is clicking on just about all cylinders right now. Who thought that would be the best aspect of this team heading into opening day?