***Official 2018 Baltimore Orioles Thread*** Pitching Can’t Get Any Worse (1 Viewer)

[Marvelous]

Another interesting note: Jake Arrieta was demoted to the bullpen, which means he makes his next start on the normal 5 days later. When Tommy Hunter was optioned to the minors the first time, he ended up starting in 4 days, 1 day short of his normal rotation spot.

 

[Marvelous]

Anyone know the cheapest way to get tickets for Oriole gaems. Years ago, there was a no scalp zone at the ball park, but I believe the Orioles did away with it a few years ago.

 

[Marvelous]

Any word on Reimold?

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.

The news on Reimold hasn't been good. The latest from Britt Ghiroli's blog:

Reimold out at least first halfNolan Reimold (herniated disk) will not rejoin the Orioles before the All-Star break, as manager Buck Showalter hinted at worse news, but would only go as far as to count out Reimold for the season’s first half until the team gets the results from a second cervical specialist. Reimold saw a cervical specialist in Baltimore over the weekend in hopes of providing more clarity about why he is still experiencing discomfort and tingling in the area –and specifically his left side– although Thursday’s MRI showed the herniated disk had shrunk. Showalter said the team has an idea what it is dealing with after this weekend’s appointment, but did not want to make the news public until Reimold had a second opinion, also in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins Hospital, on Monday. The Orioles’ Opening Day left fielder, Reimold has had two epidural injections and hasn’t played since April 30 because of the injury. He hit .313 with a .627 slugging percentage in 67 at-bats before hitting the DL, where he was transferred from the 15 to the 60-day. Posted on June 18, 2012 at 6:01 PM

 

[The_Man]

tonight will be interesting. I hate facing knuckleballers - seems like it messes up good hitters' swings and sends them into slumps.

I would have fielded the JV unit vs. Dickey last night - Flaherty, Paulino, Pearce, Andino. I feel like the punch and judy hitters with slower bats sometimes do better vs. the knuckler

 

[Marvelous]

I am planning to take my daughter to the Saturday game against the Nats. She is rooting for both teams, so her team will certainly win.

I am planning to walk up and buy tickets, so I hope it does not sell out.

 

[The_Man]

I am planning to take my daughter to the Saturday game against the Nats. She is rooting for both teams, so her team will certainly win.I am planning to walk up and buy tickets, so I hope it does not sell out.

Might want to hit Stubhub just in case. Probably won't be that much more than walk-up, once you factor in the official Orioles upcharge for buying day-of-game tickets and the "premium" charge for playing an opponent that actual brings fans to the park. And you'll be assured of getting in with decent seats

 

[Marvelous]

I am planning to take my daughter to the Saturday game against the Nats. She is rooting for both teams, so her team will certainly win.I am planning to walk up and buy tickets, so I hope it does not sell out.

Might want to hit Stubhub just in case. Probably won't be that much more than walk-up, once you factor in the official Orioles upcharge for buying day-of-game tickets and the "premium" charge for playing an opponent that actual brings fans to the park. And you'll be assured of getting in with decent seats

We never made it to a game. We just had too much to do.

 

[Marvelous]

Battle of the Beltway part 2 is over. With lots of good pitching and bad hitting, each team scored 5 runs over the 3 game series. But the Orioles emerged with 2 wins.

 

[Marvelous]

From Baseball Prospectus, the Playoff Odds Report.

The expected wins is 80.5 and the odds of making the playoffs is 15.7%.

I have no idea how they calculate/guess at these figures.

The Orioles expected wins is now 82.7 and the chances of making the playoffs is 20.1%.

 

[DCThunder]

From Baseball Prospectus, the Playoff Odds Report.

The expected wins is 80.5 and the odds of making the playoffs is 15.7%.

I have no idea how they calculate/guess at these figures.

The Orioles expected wins is now 82.7 and the chances of making the playoffs is 20.1%.

All those people who bet the under on the season win totals are gettingready to poop bricks right about now.

 

[Marvelous]

I said before the concern on the Orioles roster is the starting pitching. In one week, the Orioles have optioned Tommy Hunter, Brian Matusz, and now Jake Arietta to Norfolk. And unless there is an injury, they will all be down there for a while.

Chris Tillman will be brought back after the All Star break. It looks like Zach Britton will be called up after the All Star break too. Miguel Gonzalez starts tonight. It is not clear who the 5th starter will be. Maybe they can get Jamie Moyer back if Toronta does not promote him soon.

 

[The_Man]

This is about to get ugly in Baltimore. They have weak starting pitching, backed by some of the worst defense in recent MLB history. Their line-up is full of Triple-A quality sluggers, who strike out way too much, walk rarely, and homer even less frequently. Maybe getting Markakis back will help, but he wasn't doing much when he was healthy.

Adam Jones is going to start getting less and less and less to hit. Why let him beat you when he's the only good hitter the Orioles have? Jones has not shown a lot of plate discipline and I fear he will start chasing as he tries to make something happen, rather than talk the walks.

The bullpen has been masterful and Showalter has done an incredible job to get the team to this point. They've been outscored by 36 runs - the third-worst run differential in the AL, ahead of only KC and Minnesota.

It's been fun, and I hope I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure we've seen the high-water mark for baseball in Baltimore this year.

 

[Marvelous]

This is about to get ugly in Baltimore. They have weak starting pitching, backed by some of the worst defense in recent MLB history. Their line-up is full of Triple-A quality sluggers, who strike out way too much, walk rarely, and homer even less frequently. Maybe getting Markakis back will help, but he wasn't doing much when he was healthy.Adam Jones is going to start getting less and less and less to hit. Why let him beat you when he's the only good hitter the Orioles have? Jones has not shown a lot of plate discipline and I fear he will start chasing as he tries to make something happen, rather than talk the walks.The bullpen has been masterful and Showalter has done an incredible job to get the team to this point. They've been outscored by 36 runs - the third-worst run differential in the AL, ahead of only KC and Minnesota.It's been fun, and I hope I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure we've seen the high-water mark for baseball in Baltimore this year.

I am not sure the hitting is all that bad. But they have been in a slump for 3-4 weeks now.The lack of starting pitching is glaring. In order to contend, the Orioles needed 4 break out performances from their cast of thousands trying out as starters in the spring. They got it from Hammels and Chen, but not from the rest. It's still a great story, but not enough to contend.I really think the Thome trade makes no sense. They already have Chris Davis, Mark Reynolds, Wilson Betimit, Nick Johnson, and now Steve Pearce who are DH type players who are defensive liabilities at 3rd, 1st, LF, and RF. Why trade for another DH? Granted, they did not give up much, but the Orioles need some defense. They lead the league in unearned runs allowed. And that does not even count misplayed fly balls that don't get scored as errors.There is a lot of talk of the Orioles trading for a front line starting pitcher before the trade deadline. I really hope they don't do it. I don't think it will be enough, so they should continue to build for the long term. I actually wouldn't mind the Orioles being sellers at the trade deadline, but the team is full of untouchables (Jones, Weithers, Jim Johnson, Markakis, Hardy, Hammels, Chen) and untradables (see the list of DH'es above). Maybe they could get a good return of one of their relievers like O'Day, Ayala, or Patton.

 

[The_Man]

This is about to get ugly in Baltimore. They have weak starting pitching, backed by some of the worst defense in recent MLB history. Their line-up is full of Triple-A quality sluggers, who strike out way too much, walk rarely, and homer even less frequently. Maybe getting Markakis back will help, but he wasn't doing much when he was healthy.Adam Jones is going to start getting less and less and less to hit. Why let him beat you when he's the only good hitter the Orioles have? Jones has not shown a lot of plate discipline and I fear he will start chasing as he tries to make something happen, rather than talk the walks.The bullpen has been masterful and Showalter has done an incredible job to get the team to this point. They've been outscored by 36 runs - the third-worst run differential in the AL, ahead of only KC and Minnesota.It's been fun, and I hope I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure we've seen the high-water mark for baseball in Baltimore this year.

I am not sure the hitting is all that bad. But they have been in a slump for 3-4 weeks now.

I think the hitting a nightmare. The leadoff spot has a .246 on-base percentage. The next worst team in the AL (Oakland) has a .326 mark in the top spot.There are 7 guys on pace for 100 strikeout seasons. They have no ability to manufacture runs - they either hit solo HRs (because nobody ever takes a walk and gets on base) or they don't score. I think it will be a struggle to go 36-41 and hit the .500 mark. I'm thinking more like 31-46 to finish with 76 wins. Hope I'm wrong, but I've seen this movie before. The bullpen is already showing signs of strain and the heat of summer, combined with overwork from poor starting pitching is going to blow them up.

 

[Marvelous]

This is about to get ugly in Baltimore. They have weak starting pitching, backed by some of the worst defense in recent MLB history. Their line-up is full of Triple-A quality sluggers, who strike out way too much, walk rarely, and homer even less frequently. Maybe getting Markakis back will help, but he wasn't doing much when he was healthy.Adam Jones is going to start getting less and less and less to hit. Why let him beat you when he's the only good hitter the Orioles have? Jones has not shown a lot of plate discipline and I fear he will start chasing as he tries to make something happen, rather than talk the walks.The bullpen has been masterful and Showalter has done an incredible job to get the team to this point. They've been outscored by 36 runs - the third-worst run differential in the AL, ahead of only KC and Minnesota.It's been fun, and I hope I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure we've seen the high-water mark for baseball in Baltimore this year.

I am not sure the hitting is all that bad. But they have been in a slump for 3-4 weeks now.

I think the hitting a nightmare. The leadoff spot has a .246 on-base percentage. The next worst team in the AL (Oakland) has a .326 mark in the top spot.There are 7 guys on pace for 100 strikeout seasons. They have no ability to manufacture runs - they either hit solo HRs (because nobody ever takes a walk and gets on base) or they don't score. I think it will be a struggle to go 36-41 and hit the .500 mark. I'm thinking more like 31-46 to finish with 76 wins. Hope I'm wrong, but I've seen this movie before. The bullpen is already showing signs of strain and the heat of summer, combined with overwork from poor starting pitching is going to blow them up.

At least we agree that the Orioles' prospect for this year is not that bright. .500 will be quite an accomplishment.If Tillman and Britton and deliver and deliver big, they have a shot at a wildcard. But the odds are so against that. Otherwise they need some of their just demoted starters to step.

 

[Marvelous]

Have the wheels officially fallen off the Baltimore Orioles?

Jason Hammel will be out 3-4 weeks (minimum) following surgery. So that leave the starting rotation of Chen and a bunch of unknowns. Reliever Miguel Gonzalez appears to be set. Chris Tillman is staring tonight and Zach Britton probably starts tomorrow. The Orioles need both Tillman and Britton to deliver or the rotation will be in dire straights.

 

[Eephus]

The Orioles need both Tillman and Britton to deliver or the rotation will be in dire straights.

Chris Tillman is strictly rhythm, he doesn't wanna make it cry or sing

 

[Marvelous]

The Orioles need both Tillman and Britton to deliver or the rotation will be in dire straights.

Chris Tillman is strictly rhythm, he doesn't wanna make it cry or sing

Tillman lasted 2/3 of an inning. Britton lasted 4 innings. Ouch. Tillman's outing is clearly worse than anyone was expecting.

 

[The_Man]

This is about to get ugly in Baltimore. They have weak starting pitching, backed by some of the worst defense in recent MLB history. Their line-up is full of Triple-A quality sluggers, who strike out way too much, walk rarely, and homer even less frequently. Maybe getting Markakis back will help, but he wasn't doing much when he was healthy.Adam Jones is going to start getting less and less and less to hit. Why let him beat you when he's the only good hitter the Orioles have? Jones has not shown a lot of plate discipline and I fear he will start chasing as he tries to make something happen, rather than talk the walks.The bullpen has been masterful and Showalter has done an incredible job to get the team to this point. They've been outscored by 36 runs - the third-worst run differential in the AL, ahead of only KC and Minnesota.It's been fun, and I hope I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure we've seen the high-water mark for baseball in Baltimore this year.

I am not sure the hitting is all that bad. But they have been in a slump for 3-4 weeks now.

I think the hitting a nightmare. The leadoff spot has a .246 on-base percentage. The next worst team in the AL (Oakland) has a .326 mark in the top spot.There are 7 guys on pace for 100 strikeout seasons. They have no ability to manufacture runs - they either hit solo HRs (because nobody ever takes a walk and gets on base) or they don't score. I think it will be a struggle to go 36-41 and hit the .500 mark. I'm thinking more like 31-46 to finish with 76 wins. Hope I'm wrong, but I've seen this movie before. The bullpen is already showing signs of strain and the heat of summer, combined with overwork from poor starting pitching is going to blow them up.

This season is going down the tubes even faster than I thought. Going 35-37 to finish at .500 looking very out of reach right now. 1-4 since the Break with Hammel and Andino now on the shelf

 

[Marvelous]

Just read that Brad Bergensen was DFA and claimed by Arizona. I realize his stock has fallen since getting hit in the shin with a line drive, but I still feel sad when a young promising pitcher is lost. They exposed him so he could be with the big league club for one night and not pitch.

I think they DFA'ed Bergensen earlier in the season (to move him off the 40 man roster) and went unclaimed.

 

[Marvelous]

Orioles have been rumored to be pursuing every starting pitcher under the sun. It appears their biggest trade chip is Jake Arrieta since Bundy and Machado are untouchable.

I still think they should stand pat. The roster has so many short comings, a single player isn't going to improve it significantly. I'd rahter they keep their young players and continue to try to develop them.

 

[Marvelous]

Orioles have been rumored to be pursuing every starting pitcher under the sun. It appears their biggest trade chip is Jake Arrieta since Bundy and Machado are untouchable. I still think they should stand pat. The roster has so many short comings, a single player isn't going to improve it significantly. I'd rahter they keep their young players and continue to try to develop them.

Orioles did not make another move and I am happy. Blanton was apparently there if the Orioles wanted him and they determined he was not much of an upgrade.The Orioles have won 2 straight against the evil Yankees, but are getting killed today. But 2 out of 3 isn't bad.

 

[Raider Nation]

60-51. Amazing season, fellas!

To put that into perspective, there are 51 games left and the O's only need to go 11-40 to match their projected season win total.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Going tomorrow night, free t-shirt night. The free Orioles t-shirts (seems like I get one every game I go to) come in handy as car rags and/or to assist incontinent old people in the greater Annapolis area.

 

[Raider Nation]

Going tomorrow night, free t-shirt night. The free Orioles t-shirts (seems like I get one every game I go to) come in handy as car rags and/or to assist incontinent old people in the greater Annapolis area.

Have fun. I went to an O's home game in.... 2002 I wanna say. Never felt so much humidity in my life. That is a whole nuther kind of MUGGY down in Maryland. From the 2nd inning on, my t-shirt was stuck to the back of my seat. Oh BTW... this was a September game. I can only imagine what it's like in the middle of July.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Going tomorrow night, free t-shirt night. The free Orioles t-shirts (seems like I get one every game I go to) come in handy as car rags and/or to assist incontinent old people in the greater Annapolis area.

You chose wisely. Manny Machado is en route.

 

[Marvelous]

Going tomorrow night, free t-shirt night. The free Orioles t-shirts (seems like I get one every game I go to) come in handy as car rags and/or to assist incontinent old people in the greater Annapolis area.

You chose wisely. Manny Machado is en route.

I am very surprised they are calling up Machado. They apparently plan to play in at 3B, where he has only played 2 games in his minor league career.It just does not seem really well thought out. If they thought of this a couple of weeks ago, they could have given him some starts at 3B in Norfolk. Now he is trying a new position in the major leagues. Not saying he can't do it, but it is asking a lot.

 

[Raider Nation]

DD is a jinx. So much for the 5-game winning streak.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

DD is a jinx. So much for the 5-game winning streak.

I got thrown out of my section for yelling at former Tiger Rusty ####z. Spent the rest of the game in the outfield bar with some fat chicks who kept buying me beer. It was a great night!

 

[Raider Nation]

Awesome. I have to know what you yelled at him.

 

[Epic Problem]

DD is a jinx. So much for the 5-game winning streak.

I got thrown out of my section for yelling at former Tiger Rusty ####z. Spent the rest of the game in the outfield bar with some fat chicks who kept buying me beer. It was a great night!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Awesome. I have to know what you yelled at him.

I was there with some Orioles fans but I had a good buddy there who is a big Royals fan and he was sitting right by the Royals dugout (1st row). So I had good enough tickets to have the confidence to walk right past two ticket checkers and down into the 1st row seats. Well ####z was standing there and I said "let's go Tigers, '84 will always live on!" So he gave me the thumbs up and as he was walking away I yelled, "hey ####z, come to Detroit and replace Geno (Lamont) and be with a real team." So that drew some jeers from Royals fans that were around the dugout and Lorenzo Cain looked at me like I was a fruitcake. So the ticket ho came over about a minute later and checked my tickets and ejected me from the section. An inning later ####z came back and tossed my Royals buddy a ball and winked.

 

[STBootleg]

Machado!

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Going tomorrow night, free t-shirt night. The free Orioles t-shirts (seems like I get one every game I go to) come in handy as car rags and/or to assist incontinent old people in the greater Annapolis area.

Have fun. I went to an O's home game in.... 2002 I wanna say. Never felt so much humidity in my life. That is a whole nuther kind of MUGGY down in Maryland. From the 2nd inning on, my t-shirt was stuck to the back of my seat. Oh BTW... this was a September game. I can only imagine what it's like in the middle of July.

The worst I've ever seen it was at the All Star game at CY. We were sitting upper deck, where you'd think you'd get SOME air moving but no....People were falling out from heat exhaustion. My brother & I left in the 7th or 8th and went back to the hotel bar (stayed at the Holiday Inn), just in time to see Mussina start warming up and the cheers turning to boos when Gaston didn't put him in. Gaston was villified by Orioles fans for that, but apparently Mussina got up on his own. That was also the game that Randy Johnson made Kruk crap his pants by throwing over his head.Also went to the HR Derby the day before. Griffey hit the Warehouse, about 12 feet off the ground and shattered one of the windows. Took a pic of the window, but have no idea what I've done with it. Juan Gonzales won the Derby, IIRC. He hit one that was still rising wyhen it hit the facade of the upper deck. If he'd been left-handed, there's no doubt in my mind that it would've hit WAY up on the Warehouse.

My God, that was 20 years ago....

 

[Marvelous]

The Orioles continue to churn their roster. The re-acquired J.C. Romero, who signed a minor league deal with the Orioles earlier in the year and was released when not called up. Romero will be another lefty in the bullpen.

Dylan Bundy has been promoted to AA and there is talk he will be a September call up and work out of the bullpen. And Jason Berkin has been removed from Norfolk's starting rotation to prevent him from reaching his inning limit. This is so he can be called up in September and bolster the Orioles bullpen.

Lots of roster moves to get ready for a pennant run in September.

 

[dutch]

The Orioles continue to churn their roster. The re-acquired J.C. Romero, who signed a minor league deal with the Orioles earlier in the year and was released when not called up. Romero will be another lefty in the bullpen.

Dylan Bundy has been promoted to AA and there is talk he will be a September call up and work out of the bullpen. And Jason Berkin has been removed from Norfolk's starting rotation to prevent him from reaching his inning limit. This is so he can be called up in September and bolster the Orioles bullpen.

Lots of roster moves to get ready for a pennant run in September.

Dang it, I soo want to beleive in this team but I can't pull the trigger just yet. I keep watching and rooting but I'm afraid of the heartbreak right around the bend. When we turn the corner into September and we're still in the race then I'll pull out all the stops and put my heart on the line.In the meantime...HOW 'BOUT DEM O'S!!!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Going tonight, mostly just to hate on Boston which I'm really good at.

 

[Marvelous]

One interesting thought: Dan Duquette has done an excellent job of finding players mid-season and getting production out of them. Some of his mid-season finds are:

Luis Exposito (claimed off waivers)

Bill Hall (signed minor league contract and later promoted)

Steve Pearce (signed minor league contract and later promoted)

Lew Ford (signed minor league contract and later promoted)

Nate McLouth (signed minor league contract and later promoted)

Omar Quintanilla (trade for future consideration)

J.C. Romero (signed minor league contract, waived, then traded for)

Miguel Gonzalez also signed a minor league contract before the season started.

I don't recall past Oriole teams being this active, or maybe this successful, at finding players from other team's rubbish.

You got to love Omar Quintanilla. Before coming to the Orioles, his is a .218 hitter with 3 career homeruns will splitting time between the majors and minors. He is hitting .329 with 3 HRs in his short time with the Orioles. I am hoping for a David Newhan situation where he keeps it up for the remainder of the season before reverting back to his norm.

 

[The_Man]

The Orioles continue to churn their roster. The re-acquired J.C. Romero, who signed a minor league deal with the Orioles earlier in the year and was released when not called up. Romero will be another lefty in the bullpen.

Dylan Bundy has been promoted to AA and there is talk he will be a September call up and work out of the bullpen. And Jason Berkin has been removed from Norfolk's starting rotation to prevent him from reaching his inning limit. This is so he can be called up in September and bolster the Orioles bullpen.

Lots of roster moves to get ready for a pennant run in September.

Dang it, I soo want to beleive in this team but I can't pull the trigger just yet. I keep watching and rooting but I'm afraid of the heartbreak right around the bend. When we turn the corner into September and we're still in the race then I'll pull out all the stops and put my heart on the line.In the meantime...HOW 'BOUT DEM O'S!!!

People want to believe, but it's a big leap of faith. This team really has been doing it with smoke and mirrors - that and an unbelievable bullpen.

That being said, no matter what happens it's been just a really, really fun ride. 22-6 in one-run games and 12 straight extra-inning wins! That means lots and lots of exciting games, with most of them going the Orioles' way. Can't ask for much more than that.

A lot of great memories this year, too. The 17-inning win at Fenway with Chris Davis pitching is the signature moment of this season. Others - the Machado call-up and two-HR game, the Steve Johnson start and win on the 23rd anniversary of his dad's first start. Adam Jones with a couple of 12th inning HRs.

Even the stuff with the Orioles legends statues has been good and I'm sure the ceremony for Brooks will take it to a stratospheric level - come to think of it, that's now scheduled for the next-to-last game of the season. Can you imagine what that place will be like if Brooks Night coincides with a pennant race game? With Brooks's health stuff lately, in a lot of ways that feels like it might be the last big chance for Baltimore to turn out for #5.

 

[Epic Problem]

When you guys find the O's missing the playoffs by a game or two, how fondly are you going to look back on the week that Buck slotted Nate McClouth in the 3 hole?

 

[The_Man]

When you guys find the O's missing the playoffs by a game or two, how fondly are you going to look back on the week that Buck slotted Nate McClouth in the 3 hole?

Well, his game-winning triple today didn't suck. Funny timing.Unreal season continues. I love how they go 2-1 for the weekend and are only +1 in run differential for the series. That bullpen is just incredible.This weekend might have been the most impressive to me of the entire season. Felt like playoff baseball to me. Had Verlander on the ropes, then suffer a tough loss, and seem poised for a skid. Instead, on Saturday, get a miracle 7 innings of shutout ball from Tillman while Davis cracks a 3-run HR, and then overcome a 5-0 deficit today.12 straight extra inning wins. 12 straight wins in one-run games. -44 run differential for a 66-55 team. It's so fun to watch even though I've been a firm non-believer.Onto 3 games vs. the Rangers, who have been a genuine horror for the Orioles (30-3 game, Hamilton's 4HR game, etc). If they can take 2 out of 3 there, I'm all-in with this team.

 

[Marvelous]

When you guys find the O's missing the playoffs by a game or two, how fondly are you going to look back on the week that Buck slotted Nate McClouth in the 3 hole?

The personnel moves have been great this year. As I posted earlier, I don't remember the Orioles ever being so active on checking out players midseason and having much success at finding contributing players. Showalter should be Manager of the Year. The job he has done is incredible. He still hss them in contention and it's not clear if they really have a legitimate starting rotation outside of Chen. Duquette deserves credit too. The roster appears to be better now than in the beginning of the year. I think when Markakis was on the DL, the Orioles only had 1 outfielder on the roster. Ridiculous that they could even resemble a MLB team with that kind of roster.

 

[The_Man]

When you guys find the O's missing the playoffs by a game or two, how fondly are you going to look back on the week that Buck slotted Nate McClouth in the 3 hole?

Well, his game-winning triple today didn't suck. Funny timing.Unreal season continues. I love how they go 2-1 for the weekend and are only +1 in run differential for the series. That bullpen is just incredible.This weekend might have been the most impressive to me of the entire season. Felt like playoff baseball to me. Had Verlander on the ropes, then suffer a tough loss, and seem poised for a skid. Instead, on Saturday, get a miracle 7 innings of shutout ball from Tillman while Davis cracks a 3-run HR, and then overcome a 5-0 deficit today.12 straight extra inning wins. 12 straight wins in one-run games. -44 run differential for a 66-55 team. It's so fun to watch even though I've been a firm non-believer.Onto 3 games vs. the Rangers, who have been a genuine horror for the Orioles (30-3 game, Hamilton's 4HR game, etc). If they can take 2 out of 3 there, I'm all-in with this team.

It's been a season of unlikely heroes, and McClouth has basically carried the Orioles to 2 wins in their past 3 games vs. Detroit and Texas.He's 4 for 12, 3 runs scored, 1 HR, 4 RBI since this posting - including the game-winning 2-run HR tonight and a game-winning 2-RBI triple in Detroit. The other thing is that with him in LF and Markakis healthy in RF, the outfield defense is actually good - compared to the horror show earlier this year with guys like Betemit and Chris Davis out there.Since the start of August, O's have won road series at New York, Tampa and Detroit. Would be nice to add to that with a win over Texas tomorrow.

 

[Marvelous]

We decided to go to today's game despite the iffy weather forcast. Just as we enter the gate, there is lightning strike to the west of the stadium. When we get close to our seats, we see the tarp is on the infield. Soon we have periodic lightning and light rain. Lightning continues for next 2.5 hours. At times, it is pouring. They finally cancel the game after near after 2 1/2 hours of waiting.

Oh well. I was excited to see the Orioles play in person. Maybe when we get to the make up game.

And at home in Northern VA, not a drop of rain.

 

[The_Man]

When you guys find the O's missing the playoffs by a game or two, how fondly are you going to look back on the week that Buck slotted Nate McClouth in the 3 hole?

Well, his game-winning triple today didn't suck. Funny timing.Unreal season continues. I love how they go 2-1 for the weekend and are only +1 in run differential for the series. That bullpen is just incredible.This weekend might have been the most impressive to me of the entire season. Felt like playoff baseball to me. Had Verlander on the ropes, then suffer a tough loss, and seem poised for a skid. Instead, on Saturday, get a miracle 7 innings of shutout ball from Tillman while Davis cracks a 3-run HR, and then overcome a 5-0 deficit today.12 straight extra inning wins. 12 straight wins in one-run games. -44 run differential for a 66-55 team. It's so fun to watch even though I've been a firm non-believer.Onto 3 games vs. the Rangers, who have been a genuine horror for the Orioles (30-3 game, Hamilton's 4HR game, etc). If they can take 2 out of 3 there, I'm all-in with this team.

It's been a season of unlikely heroes, and McClouth has basically carried the Orioles to 2 wins in their past 3 games vs. Detroit and Texas.He's 4 for 12, 3 runs scored, 1 HR, 4 RBI since this posting - including the game-winning 2-run HR tonight and a game-winning 2-RBI triple in Detroit. The other thing is that with him in LF and Markakis healthy in RF, the outfield defense is actually good - compared to the horror show earlier this year with guys like Betemit and Chris Davis out there.Since the start of August, O's have won road series at New York, Tampa and Detroit. Would be nice to add to that with a win over Texas tomorrow.

McClouth hits 2-run HR in 8th to turn 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 win, the O's 13th straight win in 1-run games. 70-57 with a -45 run differentialSUCK IT, PYTHAGORAS!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Nate McLouth: scholar, gentleman, hero

 

[Limp Ditka]

Nate McLouth: scholar, gentleman, hero

f him and his under .600 OPS

 

[The_Man]

24-6 in 1-run games is an unbelievable statistical anomaly. Every night the game is exciting, and every night the Orioles win. On those rare occasions when the game isn't close, it's o.k. to stop watching because the Orioles are getting killed.

For example, they're 4-1 in the last 5, and only +3 in run differential during that stretch, thanks to a 12-3 loss sprinkled in with 1 1-run and 2 2-run wins

 

[Tuco]

The combination of Strop and Johnson in the 8th/9th have been so important to this team. The holds and saves they have going on is insane. I thought MASN was going to jinx it last night with their "fact of the game".

 

[pantagrapher]

Game postponed Sunday and now Chris Davis is out of the lineup for the second straight day. Anyone have the goods?