Which Team Is Baseball's More Incredible Story: Orioles or Athletics?

The Baltimore Orioles (55-50) and the Oakland Athletics (57-48) have been two of the most surprising teams in the MLB this season. Currently, the A’s are tied for the lead in the Wild Card, 1.5 games in front of the second-place AL East Birds.

However, with both teams having great seasons so far, which team is the more incredible story?

I’m an avid Orioles fan, an even though the Athletics have a better record slightly as of right now, the Birds have overcome a lot of adversity, accomplished a great deal already and are definitely a more incredible story.

The black and orange have endured 14 consecutive losing seasons, and it looks as if the streak might come to a halt this October as they battle for their first playoff berth since ’97.

The Athletics have always had great pitching, and it was just a matter of time before they developed young hitters; finally, they have a decent offense, and are leading the world in many pitching categories. Not to mention, they have gone on a great run since the break, winning 14 of the 19 contests and jumping to second place in the West, in front of those pesky Angels.

However, they have not been consistent the entire year. In fact, at the beginning of the year, it did not even look like the A’s would be in consideration for contention; they finished the first half with an even 43-43 record.  

According to most of the 2012 preseason rankings, baseball critics and writers projected the Orioles to finish in the cellar of the AL East again, while most placed the A’s towards the bottom of the West (third or fourth).

The Orioles have been the better team, and here is why.

Offense

Both teams have struggled to post impressive offensive numbers this season. However, the Orioles feature a stronger offense.

Baltimore, who really broke out early with their strong, powerful home run-hitting offense, has cooled down a bit since. For much of the first half, they were leading the AL in home runs. Currently, they rank third, but continue to pound out those bombs.

The Birds rank 24^th in the majors with a .244 collective batting average. They’ve recorded 877 base hits in 3,591 at-bats, including 173 doubles and 131 home runs on the year.

Up-and-coming star center fielder Adam Jones, who has smacked 24 home runs and driven in 57 runs while hovering around the .300 mark at .293, leads the offense in most of the major categories. Right fielder Nick Markakis is batting .290 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI.

On the other side, the Athletics are dead last in the majors in hitting with a collective .229 batting average. They’ve posted 814 base hits, which is the second fewest in the majors to the Rays, in 3,548 at-bats, including 157 doubles and 114 home runs.

Lead by future-superstar Josh Reddick, who has delivered an impressive 23 home runs and 52 RBI while batting .262, Oakland is really struggling at the plate, as a team.

They need to find a powerful bat to mix in the middle of their lineup. They have great pitching, as we will get to, but if they want any shot at making the playoffs, they need some type of offense. Hitting .229 will not cut it.

Overall Pitching

The Orioles’ downfall this season has been their struggle with consistent starting pitching for an extended period of time. There have been great patches of consecutive quality outings, but in the long run, it’s not enough.

However, they have featured one of the strongest bullpens in all of baseball, which is one of the reasons the Birds continue to stay afloat.

The Birds rank 21^st as a team pitching-wise; they sport a 55-50 record with a 4.23 team ERA. In 956 innings, they have surrendered 449 earned runs on 966 base hits. More hits than innings pitched is always a red flag for a struggling pitching staff, and the hurlers have allowed 10 more hits than innings pitched.

The Athletics are first in the American League in overall pitching (fourth in the majors), and that has been one of the main reasons they are now contenders. At the beginning of the year, their offense was dismal and the pitching staff carried the team.

Collectively, they are 57-48 with a very respectable 3.38 team ERA. They’ve allowed 355 earned runs on 845 base hits over 945 innings. Oakland has allowed 100 less hits than innings pitched, which is one of the reasons they have put up such strong numbers. 

Orioles Starting Pitching

The Orioles, as for the last five years or so, have really struggled with a consistent starting rotation. They own a 37-42 record with a 4.87 team ERA. Over just 604 innings on the year, they’ve given up 323 earned runs on 630 base hits.

Jake Arrieta (3-9, 6.13 ERA) began the year as the Orioles’ ace. However, he currently is working through his problems at Triple-A Norfolk. Southpaw Brian Matusz (5-10, 5.42 ERA) is another starter who could not find his groove on the mound this year, as he is working through his mechanics with Arrieta.

Taiwanese-born Wei-Yin Chen (9-6, 3.65 ERA) has been the Birds most consistent starting pitcher this season. In his first year in the major leagues, he leads the Orioles with nine wins and has really carried himself well under pressure.

Other than Chen, newcomer Jason Hammel (8-6, 3.54 ERA) has been a great surprise on the hill. The Birds acquired him from the Rockies, and most likely projected him to win about 10 games all season.

Currently, Hammel is on the DL after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in July, he should return to the team by early September just in time to help with that one last push for the playoffs.

Tommy Hunter is 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA and has really struggled with his consistency. He spent time in the minors, returned to the bigs and looked like a changed pitcher for a couple of starts, and then he reverted back to his old ways.

The Orioles need consistent starting pitching if they can even fathom a chance at the playoffs.

Athletics Starting Rotation

The Athletics rank second in the AL in starting pitching, seventh overall in the majors. Although they are under the .500 mark at 38-39, the sport an impressive 3.72 ERA. In 638 innings, they’ve surrendered just 264 earned runs on 632 base hits.

Every one of the Athletics current starting pitchers sports an ERA below four. That’s very impressive. Brandon McCarthy is 6-3 with a 2.54 ERA in 12 starts. Tommy Milone (9-8, 3.68 ERA) leads the team with nine victories.

Veteran Bartolo Colon has contributed more than they thought; he sports a 7-8 record with a strong 3.78 ERA at the age of 39. In 18 starts on the year, Jarrod Parker has earned a 7-5 record with a 3.44 ERA. In 10 starts on the year, Travis Blackley is even at 3-3 with a 3.54 ERA.

Obviously, the Athletics feature one of the best starting staffs in the majors. What's more impressive is their starting five consists of mostly young, up-and-coming arms with the exception of Colon.

I think he has been one of the best underrated additions to a starting rotation around the league. I'm sure he has had an influential impact on those young hurlers.

Orioles Relief Pitching

One of the major reasons why the Birds continue to stay afloat and competitive in the AL East is in large part due to their very consistent and strong bullpen lead by closer Jim Johnson.

The Orioles rank sixth in the American League (10^th overall) in bullpen pitching. They sport an impressive 18-8 record with a strong 3.22 ERA (and they had been leading the league and hovering at the top until recently when they’ve had a couple rough, lopsided outings). They’ve allowed 126 earned runs on 336 base hits in just 352 innings.

Johnson, who up until recently sported an ERA sub-two, now finds himself with a 3.63 ERA as he has converted 31 of the 34 save opportunities on the year.

As previously mentioned, Johnson is one of the relievers who has been roughed up a couple times as of late. On July 14^th, his ERA sat at just 1.41. The Indians rocked him for five earned runs in just 0.1 of an inning on July 16^th and 11 days later, the A’s roughed him up for six earned runs in just 0.1 of an inning.

Regardless, Johnson has put together a very strong season, as he continues to lead the league in saves.

Other than Johnson, setup man Pedro Strop (2-3, 1.34 ERA) might be having the best season out of the entire pen. Luis Ayala (2-3, 2.73 ERA) has been very consistent and definitely a surprise, while Darren O’Day (5-0, 2.88) is another important integral member of the pen.

Athletics Relief Pitching

The Athletics rank first in the league in relief pitching. Collectively, the bullpen sports a 19-9 record with a lowly 2.87 ERA. Over 313.1 innings of work, they’ve surrendered just 100 earned runs on the year on 234 base hits.

The A’s have allowed 22 home runs out of the pen, while the Orioles have allowed 34 to date.

Most of the Athletics’ relievers own an ERA in the twos or the threes. Grant Balfour is 2-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 49 appearances with seven saves in nine chances. Jerry Blevins sports a 2.20 ERA with a 4-0 record over his 39 appearances.

Ryan Cook has been the most impressive and pertinent member in the bullpen. Over his 44 contests, he owns a 4-2 record with a 1.81 ERA. Jim Miller is 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA, while Jordan Norberto is 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA over his 34 outings this season. 

Overall Conclusion

So, yes the Athletics have a better record right now (although just 1.5 games in front), but I think the Orioles still have a more incredible season. I have been an Orioles fan since they were a good team and September was something to look forward to.

Entering this season, speculation through the winter and early spring were very consistent from years past: the team was very optimistic that they were going to do well with their new additions, but nothing every panned out.

Honestly, I did not picture the Orioles still in the thick of the race at this time in the year. There’s always that voice in the back of your mind urging you to stay with your gut and root for your team, but it’s been a rough stretch in Baltimore.

Plus, the Orioles play in the toughest division in baseball, the powerhouse AL East. Currently, four of the teams are above .500, and the Blue Jays are just a couple of games under. For the Birds to still be in second place on August 3^rd, it’s a very encouraging sight.

Not to mention, the Athletics pride themselves on great pitching, both out of the pen and in the rotation. They are known for their dominating rotation, and strong bullpen.

What has been most exciting and impressive to me about the Birds has been their bullpen. Even though they have gone through some tough times as of late, they still have great numbers.

So, yes, the Orioles might not make the playoffs and the A’s could possibly, but to this point in the year, Baltimore has been the more incredible team in my opinion. No one expected the Orioles to break out this season and be in contention for so long.

Even if the Birds do not make the playoffs, playing consistent baseball, hovering around the .500 mark is a great start for a perpetually-losing team.

Follow me on twitter: @Alex_VanRees