ESPN analysts talk up the Orioles

If there is one thing some Orioles fans seem to crave, it is respect from national analysts.

For those of you that fit into that category, you got what you want earlier this week on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight," when the analysts spent several minutes talking up the Orioles and their postseason chances.

Jayson Stark was first.

"All I hear is they can't win the World Series, they can't do this or that. They've got a plus-64 run differential since the start of August," Stark said.

"This is a team, they catch the ball. Their bullpen is incredible and they've got maybe the deepest lineup in the American League. Let's talk about the things they can do."

Former major league pitcher Curt Schilling, an Oriole from 1988-90, added his two cents.

"What they've put together in Baltimore is, I think, one of the game's premier bullpens the last five or six years with a manager that manages his players as good as any in the game," Schilling said. "He will never, ever, ever have a mismatch."

Stark said that bullpen could be big for the Orioles in the playoffs.

"Why can't you win the World Series that way?" Stark asked. "People think you need to dominate the front end of the game to win the World Series. Why can't you dominate the backend of the game?

"They remind me of the 90s Indians but with a way better bullpen and a manger that knows how to use it."

Another ESPN analyst who is fan of the Orioles' play this year is former Cleveland and Seattle manager Eric Wedge, who led the Indians to the 2007 American League Championship Series.

I interviewed Wedge this week and here are some of his comments:

Wedge on the Orioles' 2014 season: "I like them because they are a well-rounded ballclub. I like the diversity of the ballclub and their lineup. Their starting pitching has evolved during the season and they've just been so consistent.

"They know how to win and don't count on one or two guys. They can win in different ways and I think Buck (Showalter) gives them an advantage. He's one of the better managers in the game and manages his people very well.

"There are a lot of things they've done over there. It is not an accident that they are good. The front office, as well as Buck, they've done a hell of a job there. I think they have as good a chance as anybody."

Wedge said the O's have a lot of ways to win and that should be a postseason strength: "I think it is. Catching the ball is big. Being able to win a tight ballgame is big. So is being able to bang it out if they have to. More than likely, it is going to be about playing clean baseball and catching the ball, pitching and defense. But if there is a slugfest, they can do that, too."

I asked Wedge if the Orioles rely too much on homers? Is that a red flag for October?: "I give them more credit than that. I don't feel like, when I watch them, that they are like the Braves. When they don't hit homers, they don't score. They are not like that to me.

"They have other strengths other than hitting the ball out of the ballpark. I think they have enough veteran presence there, that they are not going to be stubborn and just start banging right away. They'll put up good at-bats and if the ball is going out of the ballpark, so be it."

Like the others at ESPN, Wedge is high on the O's bullpen: "I love their setup guys with (Andrew) Miller, (Tommy) Hunter and (Darren) O'Day. Along with (Zach) Britton, that is a huge strength.

"It manifests itself moreso with starting pitching. In the regular season, you might send a guy out for the seventh. It's good for him and he can get through it. Now if Buck has any reservations at all, you are not going to take chances with it. You feel strong about your bullpen, so you go to it and don't take a chance.

"You have three guys that can set up and match up with to get through two innings and some games three innings. That is a huge plus.

"Britton is just filthy. The ball is diving at 96 and 97 (mph), that is just crazy. O'Day is about as tough as anyone on right-handers. Hunter is throwing 97, 98 (mph) and Miller is filthy. They are in real good shape and they're not young kids back there, they have some experience."

Tonight's Orioles-Yankees game from Camden Yards will be televised live on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball."