And however improbable that might be, it won’t be all be because of the dumb luck and 2020 oddities that allow them to be one of baseball’s most unexpected success stories. Some of it will come down to real baseball improvement.
From their reliance on and off the field on veteran shortstop José Iglesias to their more consistent bullpen and some returning players like Rio Ruiz and Renato Núñez continuing to improve, many of the reasons behind their winning ways are no secret.
Here, though, are five stats that stand out and explain just how different things have been in some corners of the Orioles’ physically-distanced clubhouse in 2020.