Bottomfeeder Sports
Footballguy
Something magic happens...
We went to a game last year. I was majorly bummed that they removed the no-scalp zone. That was an awesome way to buy tickets.I was at the game last Thursday, you're welcome (they always win when I go).
Something magic happens...
That's a winning formula, as long as Gregg does not pitch.In one of Matusz's starts, he pitched decently and gave up 2 earned runs in 5 innings. But he ran into trouble in the 6th. He left the game with two outs, a 3rd run in, and runners on 1st and 2nd. Gregg came in and gave up, I think, 5 consecutive hits. So Matusz's stat line ended up being 5 2/3 innings, 5 earned runs allowed. It looks a lot better if Kevin Gregg can get one out.Was just looking at some stats for the bullpen: Johnson, Lindstrom, Ayala and O'Day have combined to give up one earned run in 43 Innings Pitched - an 0.20 ERA. Add Strop in there and you're up to 56 IP with 4 ERs - 0.64 ERA. Only Patton and Gregg have been getting hit.
Awesome game. Both teams ran out of pitchers. The Orioles send Chris Davis to the mound, who throws 2 shutout innings to get the win. Davis shows an 89 mph fastball and a few other pitches. Boston send Darnell McDonald (ex-Oriole) who has an 82 mph fastball and no other pitches.10 games over .500. Forgot what that felt like. Nasty schedule ahead, probably need to call up someone tomorrow to have a fresh arm in the bullpen so going to enjoy the best record in the majors for while it lasts. Whether a few hours or ...
When Davis has the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the 17th, I would have been very tempted to put a starter in to lock down the win. But they are probably already looking at a roster move to help out the bullpen. They probably couldn't make a 2nd one to bring up a spot starter. It is relentless with no days off for the next couple of weeks.Hunter has been decent, so he will get more opportunities as a starter. Zach Britton is on schedule to join the club sometime in June.One of the craziest games I've ever watched. With a 3 run lead in the 17th, I couldn't believe that Buck left Davis in to pitch. I know they still won, but Buck had already spent his entire bullpen and really needed to sure up the win. He got lucky with that call. We'll see how they do against Texas when their a little thin.Exposito may go down tomorrow so they can add another arm. Also, Hunter seems like he may be a better fit a long term relief guy than a starter. He gets tired after 4 or 5 innings each outing.
Whoever pitches tonight will pitch until the 7th inning at least regardless of the score. They could be behind 15-3 and the starter will still be in there.When Davis has the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the 17th, I would have been very tempted to put a starter in to lock down the win. But they are probably already looking at a roster move to help out the bullpen. They probably couldn't make a 2nd one to bring up a spot starter. It is relentless with no days off for the next couple of weeks.Hunter has been decent, so he will get more opportunities as a starter. Zach Britton is on schedule to join the club sometime in June.One of the craziest games I've ever watched. With a 3 run lead in the 17th, I couldn't believe that Buck left Davis in to pitch. I know they still won, but Buck had already spent his entire bullpen and really needed to sure up the win. He got lucky with that call. We'll see how they do against Texas when their a little thin.Exposito may go down tomorrow so they can add another arm. Also, Hunter seems like he may be a better fit a long term relief guy than a starter. He gets tired after 4 or 5 innings each outing.
Brian Matusz pitches tonight. He is pitching better, but not the best best to get 7 quality innings.Word is that Stu Pomeranz will be called up from Norfolk to bolster the tired bullpen.Whoever pitches tonight will pitch until the 7th inning at least regardless of the score. They could be behind 15-3 and the starter will still be in there.When Davis has the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the 17th, I would have been very tempted to put a starter in to lock down the win. But they are probably already looking at a roster move to help out the bullpen. They probably couldn't make a 2nd one to bring up a spot starter. It is relentless with no days off for the next couple of weeks.Hunter has been decent, so he will get more opportunities as a starter. Zach Britton is on schedule to join the club sometime in June.One of the craziest games I've ever watched. With a 3 run lead in the 17th, I couldn't believe that Buck left Davis in to pitch. I know they still won, but Buck had already spent his entire bullpen and really needed to sure up the win. He got lucky with that call. We'll see how they do against Texas when their a little thin.Exposito may go down tomorrow so they can add another arm. Also, Hunter seems like he may be a better fit a long term relief guy than a starter. He gets tired after 4 or 5 innings each outing.
They need to have a "transformer fire" which causes a "stadium lights malfunction" and call off the game. Or maybe a freak thunderstorm right over Camden Yards at about 7:05 PM. Ooops, a rain out. Whadareyagonnado?Brian Matusz pitches tonight. He is pitching better, but not the best best to get 7 quality innings.Word is that Stu Pomeranz will be called up from Norfolk to bolster the tired bullpen.Whoever pitches tonight will pitch until the 7th inning at least regardless of the score. They could be behind 15-3 and the starter will still be in there.When Davis has the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the 17th, I would have been very tempted to put a starter in to lock down the win. But they are probably already looking at a roster move to help out the bullpen. They probably couldn't make a 2nd one to bring up a spot starter. It is relentless with no days off for the next couple of weeks.Hunter has been decent, so he will get more opportunities as a starter. Zach Britton is on schedule to join the club sometime in June.One of the craziest games I've ever watched. With a 3 run lead in the 17th, I couldn't believe that Buck left Davis in to pitch. I know they still won, but Buck had already spent his entire bullpen and really needed to sure up the win. He got lucky with that call. We'll see how they do against Texas when their a little thin.Exposito may go down tomorrow so they can add another arm. Also, Hunter seems like he may be a better fit a long term relief guy than a starter. He gets tired after 4 or 5 innings each outing.
The Hunter move really surprises me. Not as much because of his performance, but it was said that he was a big part of the clubhouse. I do like that there are no guaranteed spots, and you need to play well to keep your position.Dan Duquette negotiated an option into Paulino's contract, so he did not need to clear waivers. I guess they see good things out of Expisito.Surprise moves. Tommy Hunter and Ronny Paulino have been sent to the minors. Jason Berken and Stu Pomeranz have been promoted. Berken or Chris Tillman are the leading candidates to start Friday.
I am pretty sure the plan is to demote Berken Friday and call up Chris Tillman. Tillman gets two starts, and then they decide between Tillman and Hunter. Zach Britton returns sometime in June.Of course, with pitchers, injuries and ineffectiveness always occur. Every team goes through 7 or 8 starters during the year.Jason Berken: have a nice season
Yes and yes.Didn't the O's start off hot last year too?That said, I think they're better than last year and the year before but they're just stuck in the wrong division.So, are the Rangers that good or are the Orioles returning to Earth after a spectacular start?Hopefully, they have enough fortitude to survive two beatdowns from the Rangers.
The Orioles' makeshift bullpen made the scores look worseYes and yes.Didn't the O's start off hot last year too?That said, I think they're better than last year and the year before but they're just stuck in the wrong division.So, are the Rangers that good or are the Orioles returning to Earth after a spectacular start?Hopefully, they have enough fortitude to survive two beatdowns from the Rangers.
A 13 inning game, a 17 inning game, and then two starters not getting quality starts will do that to a bullpen. Prior to this, the pen was looking relatively decent.The Taiwanese rookie goes tonightThe Orioles' makeshift bullpen made the scores look worseYes and yes.Didn't the O's start off hot last year too?That said, I think they're better than last year and the year before but they're just stuck in the wrong division.So, are the Rangers that good or are the Orioles returning to Earth after a spectacular start?Hopefully, they have enough fortitude to survive two beatdowns from the Rangers.
O's started 6-1 last year, then went 6-12 (including an 8-game losing streak), followed by a 2-6 stretch, and were 14-19 on this date last season. The back of their bullpen is very solid, with most of their horses - Johnson, Strop, Lindstrom, Ayala - sitting out the last two games after the 17 innings in Boston. They should be ready to go. Hopefully Chen can keep it close for 5 or 6 innings tonight and keep them in the game until those guys come in.Bonus - I just got 4 free tickets for tonight in the second row next to the Visitor's Dugout! Now I'm really hoping it doesn't rain.The Orioles' makeshift bullpen made the scores look worseYes and yes.Didn't the O's start off hot last year too?That said, I think they're better than last year and the year before but they're just stuck in the wrong division.So, are the Rangers that good or are the Orioles returning to Earth after a spectacular start?Hopefully, they have enough fortitude to survive two beatdowns from the Rangers.
Congrats on getting ticketsI think the Oriole bullpen is for real. I think their hitting is for real (note: lots of HRs, lots of strikeouts). The big question is the starting pitching. Hamel is a career mediocre pitcher, but they say he has a new pitch. Can he suddenly tranform to a top of the rotation pitcher?Chen has looked good, but will he do as well when teams see him a second and third time? That catches up to a lot of picthers who start off well.Arietta is young and will probably have his ups and downs. That has been true so far.Matusz has pitched well in the past, and very poorly last year. We still don't know what to expect from him.Hunter has been doing ok, but giving up HRs. He is now in the minors, but we will probably see him agains in a couple of weeks. Even after performing well, this still looks like an average pitching rotation. Of course, average is a whole lot better than what we had last year.O's started 6-1 last year, then went 6-12 (including an 8-game losing streak), followed by a 2-6 stretch, and were 14-19 on this date last season. The back of their bullpen is very solid, with most of their horses - Johnson, Strop, Lindstrom, Ayala - sitting out the last two games after the 17 innings in Boston. They should be ready to go. Hopefully Chen can keep it close for 5 or 6 innings tonight and keep them in the game until those guys come in.Bonus - I just got 4 free tickets for tonight in the second row next to the Visitor's Dugout! Now I'm really hoping it doesn't rain.The Orioles' makeshift bullpen made the scores look worseYes and yes.Didn't the O's start off hot last year too?That said, I think they're better than last year and the year before but they're just stuck in the wrong division.So, are the Rangers that good or are the Orioles returning to Earth after a spectacular start?Hopefully, they have enough fortitude to survive two beatdowns from the Rangers.
They could have used the rainout earlier in the weekO's started 6-1 last year, then went 6-12 (including an 8-game losing streak), followed by a 2-6 stretch, and were 14-19 on this date last season. The back of their bullpen is very solid, with most of their horses - Johnson, Strop, Lindstrom, Ayala - sitting out the last two games after the 17 innings in Boston. They should be ready to go. Hopefully Chen can keep it close for 5 or 6 innings tonight and keep them in the game until those guys come in.Bonus - I just got 4 free tickets for tonight in the second row next to the Visitor's Dugout! Now I'm really hoping it doesn't rain.The Orioles' makeshift bullpen made the scores look worseYes and yes.Didn't the O's start off hot last year too?That said, I think they're better than last year and the year before but they're just stuck in the wrong division.So, are the Rangers that good or are the Orioles returning to Earth after a spectacular start?Hopefully, they have enough fortitude to survive two beatdowns from the Rangers.
A rain out really doesn't help. They are going to play a double header tomorrow.The roster is really in flux now. Yesterday, Zach Phillips called up, Jason Berken sent down.Today, Steve Tollsen is called up, Zach Phillips sent down.Jason Hammel is skipping his turn in the rotation tomorrow due to knee soreness.Tommy Hunter is gettting called up to start tomorrow for Hammel. It's a short stay at Norfolk, as Hunter is pitching on 3 days rest. Hunter can only replace someone going on the DL. Edy Chavez is most likely going on the DL.They still need a starter for Friday. Most likely Dana Eveland.They could have used the rainout earlier in the weekO's started 6-1 last year, then went 6-12 (including an 8-game losing streak), followed by a 2-6 stretch, and were 14-19 on this date last season. The back of their bullpen is very solid, with most of their horses - Johnson, Strop, Lindstrom, Ayala - sitting out the last two games after the 17 innings in Boston. They should be ready to go. Hopefully Chen can keep it close for 5 or 6 innings tonight and keep them in the game until those guys come in.Bonus - I just got 4 free tickets for tonight in the second row next to the Visitor's Dugout! Now I'm really hoping it doesn't rain.The Orioles' makeshift bullpen made the scores look worseYes and yes.Didn't the O's start off hot last year too?That said, I think they're better than last year and the year before but they're just stuck in the wrong division.So, are the Rangers that good or are the Orioles returning to Earth after a spectacular start?Hopefully, they have enough fortitude to survive two beatdowns from the Rangers.
The roster turmoil has been incredible. They now have Bill Hall, Steve Tollsen, and Xavier Avery on the active roster. Note that Brad Bergenson was moved off the 40 man roster. One of the young pitchers from a few years ago is not longer in the picture at all.After a brutal series with the Rangers, it sure feels good to take 2 out of 3 from the Rays.In spite of all the roster turmoil, Birds win the series against the Rays, and had a chance to pull out yesterday's game as well. Has Brian Matuscz figured out how to pitch again?
As I stated earlier, the starting rotation is really the biggest question mark. Most would think the Orioles have an average starting rotation at best. If Hammel and Chen can deliver quanity starts 80% of the time, that is a very good start. They really need Arietta and Matusz to step up and deliver some quality starts. Zach Britton may be available in early June, possibly very late May.Dana Eveland looks pretty shaky. He apparently has no options, so he needs to clear waivers to be sent back to Norfolk. Maybe they need a few bad outings by him to ensure he clears waivers.The other big concern on the team is the defense at the corners, 3rd and 1st base. Reynolds and Betemit have been bad at 3rd base. Davis is not doing well at 1st base (botched double play and an error with the bases loaded last night). It's not clear that they have a solution other than hoping the current players get better. Flaherty has been getting some time at 3rd base, but he needs to hit some to get any meaningful playing time. That's a tall order for a rule 5 player.I like the way this team competes, but the starting pitching is lasting fewer and fewer innings and it's already starting to take a toll on the bullpen. They need the starters to get through 6 or 7, or this team will be on fumes (as usual) by the end of June.
If there's one take-home lesson from the Orioles' success this year, it's this: When in doubt, find the most talent-laden team in the sport and start begging for its table scraps like a street urchin in Les Misérables. Three key members of Baltimore's resurgence — Davis, Strop, and O'Day (along with Hunter, who has a 5.14 ERA, but at least he's given the Orioles innings in the rotation) — were acquired from Texas in the second half of 2011, either on waivers or for expendable middle relief. It's a testament to how rich with talent the Rangers are that their trash is another team's treasure, but that's another column.
I'm not a big Orioles fan, but I came to this thread to see if anyone had seen that article. I usually like that writer but hated that column for two reasons:First, it's silly to think that "history" weighs on the Orioles. Yeah they usually play worse in the latter part of the season than they do at the beginning. But that's partly a function of roster changes- they trade away players for prospects and don't bother filling holes left due to injury with MLB-ready talent via trade because they're usually not in contention in the tough AL East, whereas other teams do the opposite. When you're not motivated to win in August and September, it's hard to win in August and September. If the Orioles are still in contention at the end of June there's no reason to expect history to repeat itself because they won't roster their major league club the same way. And in any event very few of the current players were around for the previous letdowns so there's no reason to draw a connection.Here's an interesting article on the Orioles. He goes through all the glimmers of hope the Orioles have provided in the past, only to fall apart later on.
He thinks the bullpen is the most over-achieving part of the team.
Also, on building a team:
If there's one take-home lesson from the Orioles' success this year, it's this: When in doubt, find the most talent-laden team in the sport and start begging for its table scraps like a street urchin in Les Misérables. Three key members of Baltimore's resurgence — Davis, Strop, and O'Day (along with Hunter, who has a 5.14 ERA, but at least he's given the Orioles innings in the rotation) — were acquired from Texas in the second half of 2011, either on waivers or for expendable middle relief. It's a testament to how rich with talent the Rangers are that their trash is another team's treasure, but that's another column.
I am a life long Oriole fan. As a fan, I remember a lot of these dissapointments, so I am only cautiously optimistic.One major issue for the Orioles, they have very little depth in the farm system. So with injuries, they are hurting for replacements. Bill Hall was signed by the team in mid April and called up after maybe 15 games in the minore. Luis Exposito, same thing.I'm not a big Orioles fan, but I came to this thread to see if anyone had seen that article. I usually like that writer but hated that column for two reasons:First, it's silly to think that "history" weighs on the Orioles. Yeah they usually play worse in the latter part of the season than they do at the beginning. But that's partly a function of roster changes- they trade away players for prospects and don't bother filling holes left due to injury with MLB-ready talent via trade because they're usually not in contention in the tough AL East, whereas other teams do the opposite. When you're not motivated to win in August and September, it's hard to win in August and September. If the Orioles are still in contention at the end of June there's no reason to expect history to repeat itself because they won't roster their major league club the same way. And in any event very few of the current players were around for the previous letdowns so there's no reason to draw a connection.Here's an interesting article on the Orioles. He goes through all the glimmers of hope the Orioles have provided in the past, only to fall apart later on.
He thinks the bullpen is the most over-achieving part of the team.
Also, on building a team:
If there's one take-home lesson from the Orioles' success this year, it's this: When in doubt, find the most talent-laden team in the sport and start begging for its table scraps like a street urchin in Les Misérables. Three key members of Baltimore's resurgence — Davis, Strop, and O'Day (along with Hunter, who has a 5.14 ERA, but at least he's given the Orioles innings in the rotation) — were acquired from Texas in the second half of 2011, either on waivers or for expendable middle relief. It's a testament to how rich with talent the Rangers are that their trash is another team's treasure, but that's another column.
Second, there's absolutely no way Machado and Bundy help the 2012 Orioles. It's silly to suggest there's even a chance of it. He even points out that Machado's numbers at AA are only exceptional when you consider that he's only 19. What's he gonna do, age three years in the next two months? And as great as Bundy has been, he's been throwing 3-4 inning starts in Low A. The hitters haven't even had a chance to adjust to his stuff. Let him go through a lineup at least two times before we conclude that he'd be an asset four levels higher.
Anyway, hope your boys can keep it up this season.
I didn't find this article overly insightful. There's no question that the Orioles' bullpen has been absolutely outstanding. But there's also a lot of reason to believe that success is sustainable (as long as they don't get burned out). Relief pitchers fluctuate from season to season all the time. The Orioles have seen it when Michael Gonzalez comes here and stinks, or when Koji is great here and then struggles in Texas.Here's an interesting article on the Orioles. He goes through all the glimmers of hope the Orioles have provided in the past, only to fall apart later on.
He thinks the bullpen is the most over-achieving part of the team.
OK, this is just deceptive to try to prove his point. What's more relevant - that Ayala blew out his elbow 6 years ago, or that he had a 2.09 ERA in 52 appearances with the Yankees last season?Nothing stands out in the performance of this year's Orioles more than their bullpen, and nothing points to this season being a fluke more than their bullpen. Consider that Luis Ayala — who blew out his elbow in 2006, had a 4.25 ERA from 2007 to 2011, and spent all of 2010 in the minors — has a 1.86 ERA in 19 innings.
Again, this feels intentionally deceptive. At Coors last year, Lindstrom had a 4.23 ERA, with a 1.34 WHIP and .275 BAA. On the road he had a 1.71 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and .234 BAA. Any thought that getting out of Coors full-time might enable him to replicate those road stats for a full season?Matt Lindstrom (1.29 ERA in 14 innings) throws very hard, and when it comes to an off-speed pitch, the best thing that can be said is that he throws very hard. Coming into the season, he had a career 3.81 ERA; the Orioles got him as a throw-in when they traded starter Jeremy Guthrie to the Rockies this winter.
Isn't O'Day the kind of guy that stats experts are supposed to love? I thought they valued things like "funny deliveries" if it meant they could grab a strong performer that more conventionally-minded teams would overlook. He says himself that O'Day was incredibly effective for two years in Texas before getting injured. Now healthy, is it really a surprise that he's effective again?Darren O'Day (1.56 ERA in 17 innings) wasn't even drafted out of college, because teams tend to be suspicious of guys with funny deliveries and guys who don't throw hard, and O'Day — a sidearmer who tops out at 86 — qualifies on both counts. He was in the majors within two years, but was quickly dumped by both the Angels and Mets. For the Rangers, he had 1.94 and 2.03 ERAs in back-to-back years, but then he struggled with injuries for most of 2011 and the Orioles were able to claim him off waivers after the season.
Again, the writer seems more hung on where a guy came from, than he pays attention to what he's doing. Strop has filthy stuff, and has been dominant late last year, all Spring and all 2012. Is it so shocking that a converted infielder could show progress at age 25?Pedro Strop (1.35 ERA in 20 innings) is a converted infielder who throws very hard, and until this year he had about as much of an idea where the ball was going when it left his hand as you or I did. The Orioles acquired him from Texas last August for one month of left-handed specialist Mike Gonzalez.
He's converted 23 straight saves. Who didn't consider him closer material?And finally, closer Jim Johnson (0.57 ERA in 16 innings) has served as the Orioles' primary setup man the last four seasons, but he was rarely considered "closer material" because he's a sinkerball pitcher who doesn't miss a ton of bats.
I told Mrs. Marvelous in the past that Pedro Strop is the Orioles' version of Henry Rodriquez. Strop had me very concerned today.O's bullpen tonight, 4 shutout innings, 1 hit, 0 BBs (though they did have 2 HBPs)
Recovery is going significantly slower than the Orioles had hoped. Reimold has been moved to the 60 day disabled list and still has numbness and tingling in one of his hands. The move made room for Brian Roberts on the 40 man roster.Any word on Reimold?