Give us a break.

Did John McGraw, the O’s tough-as-nails, dead ball-era third baseman, give a damn about polls? Earl Weaver, we’re pretty sure, would’ve stubbed his cigarette butt out on the paper any baseball poll was written. Frank Robinson would’ve torn it in half. Did you think Steve Pearce is interested in polls? The guy bounced around the majors for eight seasons and was placed on waivers earlier this season—then responded with 21 home runs in 383 at bats. Do polls capture that kind of fierce determination? Screw the hearts of the nation.

Here’s five reasons why the O’s whip the Royals:

1. Nelson Cruz: The guy becomes Babe Ruth in the playoffs. He delivered six hits and two HRs in the sweep of Detroit—and that’s par for the course. He was the ALCS MVP for Texas in 2011 with six home runs and 13 RBIs and is climbing the list of career, post-season HR leaders with 16.

2. The Royals lineup is lefty-laden and we have tough lefty pitchers: Kansas City’s four leading hitters against the Angels—Eric Hosmer, Nori Aoki, Alex Gorden, and Mike Moustakas—all swing from the left side. Not only do we think that bodes well for Wei-Yin Chen’s next start, but our top relievers, Andrew Miller and Zach Britton, are southpaws. Plus, the O’s likely will add lefty Brian Matusz and/or lefty T.J. McFarland to the ALCS roster.

3. J.J. Hardy: What can we say about a shortstop who flashes a Gold Glove all year and then hits .300 and blasts a key home run in the ALDS? We think the O’s signing him to a three-year extension Thursday is a great move—and an omen of more good things to come.

4. We’re the best and getting better: The O’s are 53-27 since July 1—tops in the majors. And yet, given the new addition of left fielder Alejandro De Aza (three hits and two RBI in two starts so far in the playoffs) and Miller, plus strides made by others, like starter Bud Norris, we look tougher than ever. Vegas agrees, by the way—we’re favored to the win the World Series right now.

5. Buck and our home-field advantage: Okay, we crammed two reasons here to keep our list down to five. But they’re related. Buck Showalter is the best manager in the game at the moment, exhibiting Yoda-like wisdom in the dugout. The home-field advantage and boisterous Baltimore crowds (not to pat ourselves on the back, but, let’s face it, we were incredible at Camden Yards during Games 1 and 2 against Detroit) give both Buck an advantage in making moves and the boys in the orange and black a chance to play an extra game on their home turf—if need be.

Hope the rain holds off and see you at the ballpark this weekend. We’ll be in orange.

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Stud of the Week for June 16-22:
Steve Pearce

The Line:
Pearce currently has the best batting average on the team of .339 and has had four multi-hit games in a row.

Studliest Moment:
After tinkering with his batting stance, Pearce really began to shine early last week against the Rays—batting .500 in the series with three doubles and three RBIs. This led Buck Showalter to move Pearce up to the No. 2 spot in the order, shifting Manny Machado down to seventh.

The Clincher:
The outfielder found himself in a bit of a predicament yesterday against the Yankees, when he was sent to third by a ground ball from Nelson Cruz. Yanks third basement Kelly Johnson fielded the ball and stepped on the bag, but was tripped by a sliding Pearce. Manager Joe Girardi came out to argue interference on the play, but the call stood as an error on Johnson. 

We agree that his slide wasn’t intended to hurt Johnson, but just a good defensive move. Not only can he hit plenty of RBIs, but he can prevent double plays, too.

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Orioles coverage sponsored by Baltimore Marriott Waterfront

With the O’s winning five straight last week and vaulting to the top of the American League East standings, there were no shortage of great performances over the past seven days. So we named two players this week as our first-ever Orioles Co-Studs of the Week—both share the same first name and have come off the bench to deliver in the clutch this year.

Stud of the Week for May 5-May 11:
Steve Pearce and Steve Clevenger

The line:
Still listed as a left fielder on the O’s roster, Pearce filled in for injured Chris Davis last week and delivered a “Crush”-worthy three home runs. Clavenger, toiling behind the plate in place of injured Matt Wieters, batted .333 in four games. With Wieters now going on the disabled list with a strained elbow, we’re happy we’ve got Clavenger, a Mount St. Joseph’s grad, to step in.

Studliest moment:
Pearce’s third homer in four games helped lead the O’s to a 4-3 win over the Astros for their fourth-straight victory. Clevenger ripped a game-winning, 10-inning double into the right field corner Saturday night, capping a rain-soaked, come-from-behind win—and earning a celebratory pie in the face from Adam Jones (above photo) as he was interviewed on his hometown O’s baseball network.

The clincher:
The throwback Oriole teams of late ’70s and early ’80s always had role players and guys coming off the bench to deliver in the clutch. With the O’s suffering a spate of injuries at the start of the season, but nonetheless playing winning ball—they’re harkening back to the Oriole Magic days of John Lowenstein and Benny Ayala.

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