Baltimore Orioles: 4 Reasons O's Could Be a Tough Out in the Playoffs

The Baltimore Orioles are experiencing one of their best seasons in recent memory and are right in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Though there is no guarantee that they will make it, these birds have a good chance to make some noise should they get there.

Here are four reasons that the Orioles could be a tough out if they make the playoffs.

The Orioles Are Road Warriors

With the third best road record in the AL, the Orioles are poised to surprise some people if they make the playoffs. 

Their 32-25 road record is actually better than their home record, which would bode well for the Orioles if they are a wild card.

What has turned this team into a group of road warriors is hard to decipher, but whatever it is, it has helped the Orioles stay above .500 for most of the season.

If this trend continues, the Orioles should be sure to challenge for a playoff berth and even a series victory.

A Solid Batting Lineup

Maybe the main catalyst for the Orioles' resurgence this season has been a career year from center fielder Adam Jones.

Jones is currently posting career highs in batting average and OPS, and he seems likely to pass his career highs in steals and home runs as well.

Beyond Jones, the Orioles have a solid group of batsmen.

Nick Markakis is a fan favorite who always hits well for average. This year he's batting a solid .288 and is leading the team in OBP.

Furthermore, the Orioles have six total batters who have hit double-digit home runs, which has them a solid fourth in the major leagues in total home runs.

If they can improve their team batting average a bit, this Orioles offense could be scary. The talent is there, but they need to make it happen over the long term.

Ability to Win Close Games

Though the Orioles are prone to getting blown out, they can turn it on in the clutch.

They've won their last three games to get to extra innings, and they rarely seem to lose close games.

This is a mentally tough team that has been through a lot of tribulation, so a close game is nothing out of the ordinary.

As long as they keep this hard-nosed mentality, the Orioles will be a tough team to face down the stretch. If they are in the game, they can always find a way to win it.

One of the Best Bullpens in the Major Leagues

A quick look at the stats shows that the Orioles have a top-notch bullpen. Their relievers are fourth in the MLB in ERA, tied for fourth in wins and saves and are also fourth in innings pitched.

A closer look shows a great group of pitchers who are more than their statistics indicate.

The star of the bullpen is closer Jim Johnson. Despite this being his first season as a full-time closer, he has flourished in his new role, racking up 33 saves while keeping his ERA reasonably low.

The middle relievers are more than solid as well. Pedro Strop has had an excellent season with 18 holds and an elite 1.24 ERA.

Darren O'Day, Luis Ayala and Troy Patton all tout a sub-3.00 ERA while racking up 10 wins and 22 holds between them.

As the St. Louis Cardinals showed us just a year ago, a strong bullpen is enough to win a World Series.

This Orioles team has one of the strongest bullpens in the MLB, so they have a very real chance to make some noise should they get to the playoffs.