Owning the OrioLLLLLLLLLLLLes

JonesJump.jpgThe Blue Jays have some kind of streak going against the Orioles right now. Wednesday’s 5-0 win improved Toronto’s record against Baltimore to 12-0 this season. That is the longest such run to open a season against any team for the Jays.

“You can’t explain it,” Blue Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay said. “You don’t know what we’re doing, but I know we definitely feel confident up there.”

Let’s break it down, shall we?

THE SEASON SERIES

April 6 at Baltimore: 7-6
April 7 at Baltimore: 3-0
April 8 at Baltimore: 5-2

May 28 vs. Baltimore: 5-0
May 29 vs. Baltimore: 5-2
May 30 vs. Baltimore: 6-1

July 16 at Baltimore: 4-2
July 17 at Baltimore: 3-2
July 18 at Baltimore: 10-1

July 26 vs. Baltimore: 9-5
July 27 vs. Baltimore: 8-2
July 28 vs. Baltimore: 5-0

  • Consider that the Orioles (31-70) are now 21.5 games behind the Blue Jays (53-49) for fourth place in the American League East. There is only one team facing a larger deficit for the first in their division: Arizona is 22 games out of the National League West’s top spot.
  • The Jays’ 12-0 record to open the year against the Orioles marks the first time since 1999 that a team won 12 in a row against one team to begin a season. That year, the Rangers accomplished the feat against the Twins.
  • The 12-game winning streak against the Orioles is the second-longest run in team history against one club for the Jays. Toronto previously had 13-game streaks against the Orioles (1999-2000) and against the Indians (1991-92).
  • The Blue Jays have six sweeps overall this season. Four have been against the Orioles. If you removed the games against Baltimore — which include three of Toronto’s eight shutouts this year — the Blue Jays would be eight games under .500.

THE STATS

Blue Jays: 70 runs (5.8 per game)
Orioles: 23 runs (1.9 per games)

Blue Jays: 24 home runs & 59 extra-base hits
Jose Bautista: 6 home runs & 13 extra-base hits
Orioles: 4 home runs & 20 extra-base hits

Blue Jays: 12-0 with a 1.75 ERA
Ricky Romero: 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA
Orioles: 0-12 with a 5.65 ERA

Blue Jays: .292 (121-for-414) average
Orioles: .228 (89-for-390) average

“You don’t expect it,” said Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells, referring to his club’s undefeated record against the Orioles. “We’ve seemed to get the breaks when we’ve needed them against them.”

Six games to go…

–JB

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