How important is a fast start for Orioles? | MAILBAG

Question: As we get closer to Opening Day, how do you think we should measure success early this season, aside from record? Several teams in recent years have done well later in the season despite an inauspicious record to start the year. We were obviously not one of them last year, but what indicators do you think we should look at once the season starts? From: Patrick Niebauer

Answer: Patrick, as longtime NFL coach Bill Parcells used to say: You are what your record says you are.

You’re correct about teams starting poorly and getting hot later. The Detroit Tigers did that in 2024, and last year, Craig Albernaz’s 2025 Cleveland Guardians did that as well.

However, in a competitive division like the American League East, that’s a harder task than it is the American League Central.

A worrisome trend would be if the team lost games by five or more runs, but I think we’re just going to have to watch and decide for ourselves how the team is playing in the first 30 or 40 games.

Question: Have there been any changes to the training staff from last year? With all of last year’s injuries and already too many this year. Have they made and upgrades in the training staff? From: Patrick K. from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania

Answer: Patrick, longtime assistant athletic trainer Mark Shires is no longer in the organization. I’m sure there have been changes in training methods, but they’re not going to share that with us.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.