Baltimore Orioles: Not as hungry as Toronto, NY?

The Baltimore Orioles of 2012 and 2014 far exceeded expectations. There are varying reasons for that; however the fact is that the Birds weren’t expected to be good those years. Heck, there were people that were expecting them to revert back to a win total in the 60’s this year. While it’s still unclear if they’ll return to the post season, I think most would agree that won’t happen.

But my point with this year’s team was from the beginning that the core group of players had post season experience. Presumably, the likes of Adam Jones, Manny Machado, and others might not be outshined by the bright lights of October baseball, or of big games in general. Having said that I find that I’m usually wrong when I revert to common sense (see Sunday afternoon with walking two hitters in a row). So…could I be wrong again?

Live Feed

Max Fried rumors: 4 trade packages to get the Braves to budge /

FanSided

Sandy Alcantara rumors: 4 monster trade packages to get the Marlins to budgeFanSided

Baltimore Orioles looking at Rich Hill as another stopgapCall to the Pen

Baltimore Orioles keep eyeing stopgap options in rotationCall to the Pen

Last-Chance DraftKings and FanDuel Maryland Promo Codes: How to Bet $40 and Get $700 Before Offer EndsFanSided

MLB Power Rankings: Where all 30 teams rank after the Winter MeetingsFanSided

In saying that, could the post season experience be in effect working against the O’s? I know that makes no sense – but work with me here. In 2012 and perhaps even again in 2014 the concept of the post season and/or just “being good” was really new to these players. This year they find a target on their backs, and it’s been there since before spring training.

Look at Toronto this year, and perhaps even the New York Yankees. If anything, those teams have a chip on their shoulders (for varying reasons of course). And perhaps that chip on their shoulders act as blinders or sunglasses in a sense for the bright lights of big games. They’re focusing so much on removing the chip or dealing with it, that they can’t even stop to figure out that they should in fact be blinded by the bright lights of the post season.

This is just a theory – take it or leave it. But look also at the NY Mets; they’re showing that they aren’t afraid of Washington among other teams. Perhaps the key is to never lose that chip in a sense, because if you do you risk becoming complacent. The Orioles have made some decent strides this year believe it or not – but some of the hungrier teams are making them more so, and by wider margins.

More from Birds Watcher

Home/Orioles News