Tony DeMarco

In a season marked by rises to playoff relevance by long-downtrodden franchises, none has been more unlikely than that of the Baltimore Orioles.

Consider:

• Run differential isn't the end-all measuring stick of a team's record, but it's as accurate a gauge as any. And the Orioles definitely qualify as an exception to the rule here.

Their 67-57 record through Wednesday has been attained despite a -54 run differential — a number that suggests a reversal of that record.

By comparison, through Wednesday, the Yankees (72-52) were +97, the Rangers (72-51) were +96, the White Sox (68-55) were +72 and the Rays (69-55) were +70.

And the other AL teams with negative run differentials were exactly who you'd expect them to be: The Blue Jays (56-67) at -28, the Royals (55-68) at -48, the Twins (51-72) at -93 and Indians (54-70) at -131.

Yes, teams have won division titles with negative run differentials — the last two being the 2007 Diamondbacks (90-72 despite a -20 run differential) and 2005 Padres (82-80 despite a -42 run differential). But these kinds of skewed results just don't happen very often.

• How is that even possible, you ask? Well, eight Orioles' blowout losses by six runs or more have a lot to do with it. But just as unlikely is the O's 23-6 record in one-run games. That's historically good, and it points to the team's strength — the bullpen.

The O's haven't lost in 50 games when leading after seven innings, and they have eight-inning man Pedro Strop and closer Jim Johnson to thank for that. But four other relievers — Luis Ayala, Troy Patton, Darren O'Day and Matt Lindstrom — all have sub-3.00 ERAs, as well.

Jim Rogash / Getty Images The Week in Sports Pictures The nation grieved for those hurt, killed and affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. After one of the suspects was caught on Friday — following a day-long lockdown and manhunt — sports returned to Boston over the weekend.

How much late-inning magic has there been this season? Manager Buck Showalter was forced to put first baseman Chris Davis on the mound in a 17-inning game back on May 6th, and Davis threw two scoreless innings, punched out two, and became the first American League position player to earn a victory since Rocky Colavito in 1968.

It's been that kind of season for the Orioles.

• After all, this is a team that doesn't run well; with an AL-low total of 40 stolen bases (led by Adam Jones' 12). Toronto's Rajai Davis is only one behind, all by himself. So is AL MVP candidate Mike Trout, and the O's had almost a month head start on him.
• This is a team that doesn't field well; leading the AL in most errors and lowest fielding percentage. Although it must be said that things have been better lately with the lineup additions of Manny Machado, Nate McLouth and Omar Quintanilla. McLouth won a Gold Glove in 2008, and the sure-handed Quintanilla is so solid around the second-base bag, he earned the moniker of 'professional ball-catcher' during his tenure in Colorado.
• And this was a rotation that was supposed to feature the developments of long-time prospects Jake Arrieta, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman and Zach Britton, yet all four have spent more time in the minors this season.

Instead, Jason Hammel started fast before being lost to injury, leaving unheralded Wei-Yin Chen, a free-agent signee from Taiwan, as the staff leader in starts, innings, wins and strikeouts.

Ten starting pitchers already have been used, including surprisingly effective Miguel Gonzalez (5-3, 3.66), a 28-year-old rookie who has bounced around four organizations since 2004.

• That's the other things about these Orioles — they have been making roster moves at a rate of about one per day, stretching to the limit the organizational depth built by general manager Dan Duquette and Co. Twenty-three pitchers (including Davis) have made at least one appearance, and 26 position players have been used.

For four games this week, Showalter's No. 3 hitter was McLouth, who was cut by the Pirates this spring, spent much of this season in the minors, and prior to this week, hadn't hit a big-league homer since 2010.

McLouth is one of 12 players with at least one game in left field. Showalter also has used four catchers, six first basemen, five second basemen, five shortstops, four center-fielders, six right-fielders and 14 designated hitters.

Yet with six weeks left in the regular season, the O's are right in the midst of the AL wild-card fight, and they're sending out playoff ticket invoices to fans for the first time since 1997, just in case.

Wishful thinking? Perhaps. If you want to believe all this good fortune will catch up with them, go ahead. It's what most everybody has been expecting for weeks. But barring a late collapse, the O's will have their first winning season in 15, and wild card spot or not, that's a successful season in Baltimore.