Orioles Weekly Wrap: April 22nd - April 28th

Standings

12-12, second place in the AL East and 2.5 games back.

Results

The O's went 3-3 this week against the Blue Jays and the Royals.

Run Differential

-7; 30 scored and 37 allowed.

Predicted Record

I started out with the assumption that the Orioles are a .500 team this year, so I've been regressing the team towards that talent level. While Chris Davis is on the DL, I'm revising that forecast downward by four wins. And actually, with Manny yet to return, I should have been revising the team down three wins all along.

This means as the team stands right now I'd regress them towards a 74-88 (.457) record. Given that they've already notched 12 wins, regression would predict a 77-85 record.

Best Hitter / Worst Hitter

Nelson Cruz sent the ball flying all over the place. He launched four home runs, a double, two singles, and walked five times (twice intentionally) in 28 PA. His wRC+ was an astounding 218 (.292/.393/.833).

Adam Jones gets the goat award with a -19 wRC+. He hit just .148/.148/.185 in 27 PA.

Best Pitcher / Worst Pitcher

Wei-Yin Chen was good in his start. In 7 IP he struck out six, walked two, and didn't give up a home run. Like most pitchers, Chen normally isn't good the third time through the order, so it was nice to see him hang in there this time.

Evan Meek was terrible this week. In 1.1 innings, he gave up nine hits, including two home runs, and struck out only one. He was charged with eight (!) earned runs in that time frame.

Adam Jones "The Power and the Patience" Update

Jones neither homered nor walked this week, so we've got nothing to talk about here.

Team Steve!

Team Steve lost a man this week when Steve Pearce was DFA'd. Steve Clevenger used the news to grow Hulk-like and, with a mighty roar, power himself to a 182 wRC+ line for the week (.333/.500/.500 in just two games). Steve Lombardozzi, on the other hand, had just an okay 89 wRC+ (.300/.300/.400 in three games).

Your Moment of Zen