But the Orioles aren't concerned about long-term sustainability, because they're just trying to win however they can win right now, every day. And even when you're aware of the unsustainability it can still feel like the Orioles are being powered by magic. Somehow this is a more satisfying explanation than statistical randomness

Jones homered to turn 1-1 into 3-1, and just to drive the point home, a few pitches later Jesus Montero caught a low curveball in the throat. The Orioles had nothing to do with it; it was a Mariner who threw the curveball, so it was a Mariner who hurt his own teammate's neck. The Orioles have a way of making other teams feel like they're beating themselves. It makes a hell of a lot more sense than having been beaten by the Orioles. If you can't tell I'm having trouble figuring out how this is our reality. The Orioles aren't magic, because there isn't magic. The Orioles might be the closest thing to magic that exists, aside from seedless watermelon on a hot day, and sour beer.

The Mariners are so ####### bad. They've had 12 innings the last two days where they only needed to push across a stinking run to walkoff.

I'm shocked Seattle is 70-80. To me they look like a AAA team with Felix Hernandez attached.

I realize Safeco's a tough place to hit in, especially this year, but the bottom of the 10th was disgraceful. You get a rare runner on base when Saunders walk to lead it off and then Wedge tries to bunt with Miguel Olivo so that he can have Casper Wells and his .221 average (or his pinch-hitter Trayvon Robinson with his .218 average) and Brendan Ryan and his .191 average (or his pinch-hitter Mike Carp with his .216 average) average single him in?

If you're going to play for one run there, I usually think it's a good idea to steal, then sacrifice. That way you can get the run in a bunch of different ways, plus the infield is usually going to play in (or they're going to walk two guys). Saunders is a good base-stealer and the numbers have to be in favor of doing that.

a few pitches later Jesus Montero caught a low curveball in the throat.

Saunders is a good base-stealer

Agree. On paper and on the field, they look like a terrible team, but the record says they're just ordinarily bad. Especially odd considering how tough the division is.

GM: So, the Orioles won. We didn’t. What can we learn?
Assistant: Well-
GM: First and foremost, we’ve focused too much on adding as much talent as possible.
GM: What we need is a roster that isn’t actually very good at all.
GM: I mean, we don’t want a bad roster.
GM: Nobody wants a bad roster.
GM: We just need to find the right mix so the team as a whole can overachieve.
Assistant: Your plan is to build a team that you hope will overachieve.
GM: The Orioles bottled lightning!
GM: We need to bottle lightning.
Assistant: This doesn’t-
GM: I’m going to need you to go get some bottles.
Assistant: Nobody actually bottles lightning.

that defensive difference play.

+27 though? That's Ozzie Smith territory.

+27 though? That's Ozzie Smith territory.
And anyone who's seen him play out there on a daily basis would affirm that, yes, Ryan's glovework is indeed at the Ozzie Smith level right now. He's superb. Nearly Adam Everett (still my gold standard) level.

In this game though, the Mariners tried a steal with Saunders, in the bottom 11th, 2 out, representing the tieing run. He was thrown out to end the game.

Ryan is that good.

Good stuff. Being an Oriole fan this year must be the best.

OK. Have you seen that confirmed by professional scouts?

Good stuff. Being an Oriole fan this year must be the best.