3. The rotation has solidified

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the 2012 season has been the ability to win despite the many moving parts and changes in the starting rotation. Believe it or not, they may have stumbled into a solid group for the playoffs.<br>
<br>
Miguel Gonzalez (above) is one of the best stories in baseball that nobody seems to be talking about. Gonzalez, a career minor leaguer before this season, has won eight games and pitched to a 3.45 ERA in 14 starts. Everything seems to have finally clicked for former top prospect Chris Tillman, and he has produced, winning nine games in 14 starts and putting up a 2.78 ERA. Even more impressive is his 1.06 WHIP.<br>
<br>
After being acquired in late August from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Joe Saunders has been a stabilizing veteran presence. In his seven games with the O's, he has worked 44.2 innings with a respectable 3.63 ERA. Is this group as flashy as other contenders? No, but manager Buck Showalter has found a group he can depend on.

bal-12-reasons-why-the-orioles-might-actually--009

( Getty / September 21, 2012 )

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the 2012 season has been the ability to win despite the many moving parts and changes in the starting rotation. Believe it or not, they may have stumbled into a solid group for the playoffs.

Miguel Gonzalez (above) is one of the best stories in baseball that nobody seems to be talking about. Gonzalez, a career minor leaguer before this season, has won eight games and pitched to a 3.45 ERA in 14 starts. Everything seems to have finally clicked for former top prospect Chris Tillman, and he has produced, winning nine games in 14 starts and putting up a 2.78 ERA. Even more impressive is his 1.06 WHIP.

After being acquired in late August from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Joe Saunders has been a stabilizing veteran presence. In his seven games with the O's, he has worked 44.2 innings with a respectable 3.63 ERA. Is this group as flashy as other contenders? No, but manager Buck Showalter has found a group he can depend on.

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