Quarterpole

We are one-fourth of the way into this pretty surprising Orioles season, considering even eternal fans like this guy were prediction doom, gloom, and 107 losses.

What is shocking about the Orioles 21-19 start has less to do with the fact that this team is 2 over .500, but the fact that this team is far from firing on all cylinders:

• Nick Markakis is only hitting .261, and is 1 for his last 17
• Ramon Hernandez has been hurt off and on, and is hitting .211
• The .246 team batting average is third worst in the American League
• Luke Scott has the highest average on the team at .271.....despite hitting .198 in the last month, hitting .133 against lefties, and .194 on the road
• Steve Trachsel......'nuff said.

The fact of the matter is that despite that, this team can win ball games, even if they spot the defending champs a 3-0 lead two nights in a row. The bullpen has been mostly phenomenal, the starting pitching has done its job (keeping us in games) and the team is playing with confidence. It has been a fun group to watch.

Now, at the quarterpole, let's talk about the Most Valuable Orioles for 2008:

1. Dave Trembley: Sure, he isn't an active player. But it is hard to argue with the impact he has had on this club. Remember, the preponderance of players on this 2008 team were also on the 2007 team; that team was nine games out 40 games in, and was 11 games under .500 when Sam Perlozzo got canned. Trembley has had a year and a Spring Training to implement his philosophy and his system with his staff and his players. It's working.
   
2. Jim Johnson: Where would the bullpen be without this guy? He was a starter in the minors and had brief cameos in '06 and '07, but he has been the stopper out of the bullpen this year, including his amazing duel with Manny Ramirez on Tuesday that ended with a 1-2-3 double play to kill a Red Sox rally.
   
3. George Sherill: Sure, it hasn't been pretty, but Sherill has stepped into the closers role and gotten the job done when it counts.
   

2008 has been more than we can ask for. Let's hope it keeps up. But remember this: the 2002 overachieving squad got to 63-63 on August 23rd, only to go 4-32 down the stretch, so we're not even close to seeing this team be where it needs to be quite yet...