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MLB: Biggest surprises after first week of games

By Stephen Forsha

Apr 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) advances to third base on right fielder Mark Trumbo (not pictured) single during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) advances to third base on right fielder Mark Trumbo (not pictured) single during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Orioles start season 6-0 and counting

What has Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter been putting in the O’s Gatorade bucket to start this season? Whatever it is, maybe he should share the wealth with some of the more underperforming teams in the majors one week into the season.

As the Orioles stand at 6-0 overall, they rank fourth in the majors in batting average (.291), fifth in home runs (10), 12th in RBIs (29), seventh in on-base percentage (.291) and second in slugging percentage (.505).

In the six wins by Baltimore all but one of their wins have been by two or fewer runs, as their biggest win of the season came on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays by five runs. In their other five wins, four have been by two runs and their Opening Day victory over the Minnesota Twins was by a single run.

If there is anything we can say about the Orioles it is they have a knack for close wins, and when they need to win those close games they’ve finished the job thus far.

A lot of that has come with their pitching, with the team having the second best ERA in the majors after the first week at 2.50, trailing the Oakland Athletics’ pitchers who are at 2.39. Baltimore’s pitchers have gone 54 innings on the mound and are third in strikeouts with 62 in six games.

Eventually the O’s will have to win games by larger scores, because they aren’t going to continue to win all of the close ones, no team could, but right now their formula is working while playing in a pretty solid division. Keep your eyes on the Orioles, because they might be the surprise team in baseball for ’16.

Next: The Twins start 0-7

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