Is the AL East really "mediocre"?

[wwharton]

Re: Is the AL East really "mediocre"?

This year's St. Louis Cardinals are somewhat similar to the 2012 Orioles. I don't think run differential means everything though, especially when you get blown out 3-4 times and your team's strength is pitching. When your long relievers come in when you are down 5-6 runs and they give up 5-6 more runs...that doesn't really represent the core of your pitching staff. Cardinals have taken some bad blow outs this year (Baltimore and Cubs blew us out a few times).

Cards have been great in 1 run games this year as well, but we also have a pretty good bullpen and lead the league in shutouts! So of course teams like this will have their fair share of 1 run wins. A 3-2 or 2-1 victory also is not the same as winning 9-8.

Also higher scoring teams usually have higher greater run differentials (see 2011 and 2012 Cards), but that doesn't always equate to a higher winning percentage. If you have good pitching then you can manage and have a better chance to get some "lucky" wins even if your offense is below average.

Yeah, and everything you said is why I'd say the Cards are different than the 2012 O's. They were an okay offensive team but not great... an okay starting pitching staff, not great. Things just lined up at the right time. Even the closer, Johnson, wasn't that great but did just enough to lead the league in saves. It really was a lucky year... optimistic bc there was a lot of young talent we expected to be more consistent (and they have gotten better). The Cards are good, having a "down" year, but still in the hunt during a down year. That's where I hope the O's are going forward (even when they're struggling they can still put it together. The way Buck has been managing I believe they can).

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Is the AL East really "mediocre"?

Yeah, and everything you said is why I'd say the Cards are different than the 2012 O's. They were an okay offensive team but not great... an okay starting pitching staff, not great. Things just lined up at the right time. Even the closer, Johnson, wasn't that great but did just enough to lead the league in saves. It really was a lucky year... optimistic bc there was a lot of young talent we expected to be more consistent (and they have gotten better). The Cards are good, having a "down" year, but still in the hunt during a down year. That's where I hope the O's are going forward (even when they're struggling they can still put it together. The way Buck has been managing I believe they can).

JJ was actually lights out in the regular season, IIRC 51/54 in save chances. He was just nice enough to implode in the playoffs, such as Game 1 of the ALDS when I watched Russell Martin's ball fly over the left field fence from section 66 and subsequently sat in my seat and had a nervous breakdown.

[wwharton]

Re: Is the AL East really "mediocre"?

JJ was actually lights out in the regular season, IIRC 51/54 in save chances. He was just nice enough to implode in the playoffs, such as Game 1 of the ALDS when I watched Russell Martin's ball fly over the left field fence from section 66 and subsequently sat in my seat and had a nervous breakdown.

Converted 51/54 chances but, if my memory is correct, it wasn't like all of them were clean. I remember his era and whip being pretty high for a closer... but I could be letting last year cloud my memory (and don't feel like clicking once or twice to get the actual stats, lol).

[AC]

Re: Is the AL East really "mediocre"?

Converted 51/54 chances but, if my memory is correct, it wasn't like all of them were clean. I remember his era and whip being pretty high for a closer... but I could be letting last year cloud my memory (and don't feel like clicking once or twice to get the actual stats, lol).

He wasn't really great.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Is the AL East really "mediocre"?

Converted 51/54 chances but, if my memory is correct, it wasn't like all of them were clean. I remember his era and whip being pretty high for a closer... but I could be letting last year cloud my memory (and don't feel like clicking once or twice to get the actual stats, lol).

He was nerve racking to watch for sure, but I remember always having confidence that he'd eventually shut the door. The ALDS and entire last season was a dumpster fire for him.

[wwharton]

Re: Is the AL East really "mediocre"?

He was nerve racking to watch for sure, but I remember always having confidence that he'd eventually shut the door. The ALDS and entire last season was a dumpster fire for him.

I think you just had that feeling bc he had 50+ saves. And not that it's a bad reason, but the ALDS showed the danger of his "style" of closing. The entire team played just up to the edge like that and got away with it in 2012.