Who really cares about run differential?

[BuckMagic]

Some articles are still referencing the O's run differential. At this point it does not matter!!

They have been outscored by 39 runs which is an average of them losing by .3 runs per game. So minimal and that fact that their bullpen is so good somewhat explains why they have a good record with a small run differential.

[birdwatcher55]

We had this string/discussion recently and as I pointed out then: we have had some bad losses during junctures of this season, especially the last Cleveland series at home and some drubbings at the hands of the Twins and Yankees. That is going to skew the average. The bottom line is this: when we are getting hammered early, Buck's MO is to save the prime section of the bullpen and let the Greggs of the world mop up. When our starting pitching is good, it keeps us in the game and we usually find a way to win with clutch hitting and a solid bullpen. There is no mystery here IMHO

[Rising O's]

The biggest drag on the Orioles season was having Jake Arrieta and Brian Matusz in the starting rotation. Combined the Orioles had an pitiful 382 winning percentage in games they started.