ClownCausedChaos2
Footballguy
Marvelous: Just wanted to thank you for your contributions and insight in this thread. Much appreciated. 
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***Official 2018 Baltimore Orioles Thread*** Pitching Can’t Get Any Worse (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter avoiding injuries
- Start date
Awesome win against the Nationals last night with 3 HRs in the 11th inning. I heard on the radio that the teams just think it's another game and the rivalries are against their division opponents. But it feels good to beat the other local team.
Interesting quotes from Buck Showalter on Gausman. Gausman has an inning limit. By sending him down to the minors over the All Star break and not pitching, Gausman will have no restrictions after the break. They have avoided a Strasburg situation that the Nats had two years ago.
I also read another article that said by sending Gausman down for a few more days, he will not accrue a full year of service, so he won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2020 season. Writing the year 2020 just looks weird to me.
Interesting quotes from Buck Showalter on Gausman. Gausman has an inning limit. By sending him down to the minors over the All Star break and not pitching, Gausman will have no restrictions after the break. They have avoided a Strasburg situation that the Nats had two years ago.
I also read another article that said by sending Gausman down for a few more days, he will not accrue a full year of service, so he won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2020 season. Writing the year 2020 just looks weird to me.
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The_Man
Footballguy
Well, all right.
First 3-game AL East lead for the O's since May of 2005 - when Hayden Penn was the winning pitcher.
I am so not worked up about the Gausman thing. He's the swing guy right now, he has options, and - as noted above - they are limiting his innings to keep him fresh for September, while also keeping his service clock from running. He's only missing 1 big league start with this demotion, since they plan to bring him back after the Break. Kid is only 23, so I'm good with all of that. But, he is pretty much their #2 pitcher after Tillman right now, and I think he is going to be a regular in the rotation during the second half.
Manny is on fire. Fun to watch. Jones and especially Cruz have carried them, as did Pearce for a while, and now they're starting to get contributions from everywhere. Too bad about Wieters, but Joseph has done a great job behind the plate.
This team is going to score runs, and the bullpen is strong. My only concern remains if the starters' struggles are going to wear the 'pen out too soon. At this point, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a trade like Bundy for David Price. With a true #1 pitcher, this team is a World Series contender. But without him, this team has nothing but some middle to back of the rotation starters.
Still, so much fun to watch every night. Also fun to see the Red Sox 10 games back.
First 3-game AL East lead for the O's since May of 2005 - when Hayden Penn was the winning pitcher.
I am so not worked up about the Gausman thing. He's the swing guy right now, he has options, and - as noted above - they are limiting his innings to keep him fresh for September, while also keeping his service clock from running. He's only missing 1 big league start with this demotion, since they plan to bring him back after the Break. Kid is only 23, so I'm good with all of that. But, he is pretty much their #2 pitcher after Tillman right now, and I think he is going to be a regular in the rotation during the second half.
Manny is on fire. Fun to watch. Jones and especially Cruz have carried them, as did Pearce for a while, and now they're starting to get contributions from everywhere. Too bad about Wieters, but Joseph has done a great job behind the plate.
This team is going to score runs, and the bullpen is strong. My only concern remains if the starters' struggles are going to wear the 'pen out too soon. At this point, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a trade like Bundy for David Price. With a true #1 pitcher, this team is a World Series contender. But without him, this team has nothing but some middle to back of the rotation starters.
Still, so much fun to watch every night. Also fun to see the Red Sox 10 games back.
The Orioles will never trade Bundy for Price. Bundy has top of the rotation potential and has done nothing to make people think he won't deliver. Obviously lots of pitching prospects don't develop for a variety of reasons.
Also, if the Orioles traded Bundy, they would never trade him within the division. They would have to face Bundy 4 or 5 times a year for the next 6 year at a minimum. And the Orioles hope to be competing all those years. All that to get Price for 2 or 2 1/2 months. It simply is not worth it.
Gausman could easily be the Oriole's top starter by the end of the year. In fact, when he was in the rotation earlier this year (rather than being demoted after a start), he arguably was their best pitcher.
Heading to the game tonight with my wife and one of my daughters. We will get Nick Markakis T-shirts. Hope the weather cooperates.
We were originally going to get Chen vs. Roark. Chen has been pitching well while Roark is cleary the 5th starter for the Nats. They are pushing Roark back so he only makes one more start prior to the All Star break.
Instead we get Bud Norris vs. Doug Fister.
We were originally going to get Chen vs. Roark. Chen has been pitching well while Roark is cleary the 5th starter for the Nats. They are pushing Roark back so he only makes one more start prior to the All Star break.
Instead we get Bud Norris vs. Doug Fister.
That was a pretty disappointing experience.
1. Bud Norris looked like he wasn't ready to pitch. He probably needed a rehab assignment. Gave up 3 HRs and 5 runs in 4 innings. And they basically cost them the game.
2. We sat in Section 15, row 10. I did not realize it, but we were way under the overhang of the upper deck. We could not see the scoreboard. Every fly ball went out of our view. And we could not even hear the music and public address system from our seats. They did have tvs and they would show the top of the scoreboard during on their during breaks. During the game, they showed the masn broadcast, so we could also see replays.
3. We came from Loudoun County in VA. It took 3 hours to get there. Traffic was horrible. We left at 4:10 pm thinking we had plenty of time, but missed the 1st inning. We tried to get off of I-95 at exit 52 to get to the stadium lots. After waiting in line on the highway for 20 minutes, we finally changed lanes to get off at exit 53.
4. Driving home was no better. They closed the left late of I-395 where you first get on. So it took over an hour to get from the garage until getting on the highway. Just incredible. Drive home was over 2 1/2 hours.
We did get our free t shirts. A solid win would and better seats would have made the trip a lot more pleasant.
1. Bud Norris looked like he wasn't ready to pitch. He probably needed a rehab assignment. Gave up 3 HRs and 5 runs in 4 innings. And they basically cost them the game.
2. We sat in Section 15, row 10. I did not realize it, but we were way under the overhang of the upper deck. We could not see the scoreboard. Every fly ball went out of our view. And we could not even hear the music and public address system from our seats. They did have tvs and they would show the top of the scoreboard during on their during breaks. During the game, they showed the masn broadcast, so we could also see replays.
3. We came from Loudoun County in VA. It took 3 hours to get there. Traffic was horrible. We left at 4:10 pm thinking we had plenty of time, but missed the 1st inning. We tried to get off of I-95 at exit 52 to get to the stadium lots. After waiting in line on the highway for 20 minutes, we finally changed lanes to get off at exit 53.
4. Driving home was no better. They closed the left late of I-395 where you first get on. So it took over an hour to get from the garage until getting on the highway. Just incredible. Drive home was over 2 1/2 hours.
We did get our free t shirts. A solid win would and better seats would have made the trip a lot more pleasant.
The_Man
Footballguy
Ugh, sorry you had a bad time Marvelous. I feel bad for not having given you a warning about the construction, though I didn't realize you were coming from Loudon.
Exit 52 - Russell St/B-W Parkway is a disaster northbound heading into the city because they've taken away at least one lane as they finish construction on the hideous casino being wedged into a lot next to a self-storage place just south of the football stadium.
395 is a nightmare trying to get out of town because they've had one lane closed for weeks as they try to do some repairs to the concrete in that giant sky bridge that connects it to 95.
For future reference, if anyone is coming from DC take 395 into town and then take 295/B-W Parkway to get out of town.
Exit 52 - Russell St/B-W Parkway is a disaster northbound heading into the city because they've taken away at least one lane as they finish construction on the hideous casino being wedged into a lot next to a self-storage place just south of the football stadium.
395 is a nightmare trying to get out of town because they've had one lane closed for weeks as they try to do some repairs to the concrete in that giant sky bridge that connects it to 95.
For future reference, if anyone is coming from DC take 395 into town and then take 295/B-W Parkway to get out of town.
Good info here. Surprised they don't have any of the traffic info on camdemchat.com.
I actually played candy crush on my phone while in traffic leaving the stadium, even when the lights were green. In stop and go traffic, we would go between 0-12 feet, then come to a stop for the next cycle of a light.
That seems like a really odd place to put a casino. They usually put them in out of the way places where they can develop a new tourist destination. Near a city downtown seems really out of place.
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The_Man
Footballguy
Like pretty much everything else in Maryland, the state's approach to casinos has been reactionary, poorly implemented, and dictated by the state Democratic Party and the rich businessman who own its members.
For years the state refused to have casinos, as it lost out huge revenues to West Virginia and Delaware. So when they finally decided to allow them, their placement wasn't shaped by business strategy or the market, but by where the legislature said they could be. As a result Maryland ended up with something people thought was impossible - a money-losing casino (plopped into Rocky Gap at the order of the former Speaker of the House).
There is one very lucrative casino at the Arundel Mills mall. But - again - because of politics, the City of Baltimore gets to have its own casino, exactly 13 miles away from the Arundel casino.
MattFancy
Footballguy
Good to see the O's playing well going into the break. At worst, we go to the break tied for 1st with Toronto. Looks like Manny is finally coming alive, if only Davis can start hitting. Pearce has probably been the 1st half MVP, even over Cruz.
I hope they add a bullpen arm and can get a decent 3rd/4th starter at the deadline. I think we'll see Bundy up in September and should be provide some bullpen help and get a few spot starts here and there.
The division seems ripe for the taking. The Yankees look to have too many injuries, the Red Sox seem to be looking towards next year, the Rays may trade their #1 starter and the Jays seem to be just hanging around right now. With some good moves at the deadline, the O's could run away with this thing.
I hope they add a bullpen arm and can get a decent 3rd/4th starter at the deadline. I think we'll see Bundy up in September and should be provide some bullpen help and get a few spot starts here and there.
The division seems ripe for the taking. The Yankees look to have too many injuries, the Red Sox seem to be looking towards next year, the Rays may trade their #1 starter and the Jays seem to be just hanging around right now. With some good moves at the deadline, the O's could run away with this thing.
I wrote in the Nats thread that the NL East is there for the taking for the Nats. Hard to believe, but the AL East is not that good and could be there for the taking for the Orioles. It looks like it is between the Orioles and Toronto.
Unlike the last few years, I think the Orioles shouldn't make any moves to bolster the roster. The bullpen is fine with Britton, O'Day, Hunter, McFarland, and Brach. And I still like Matusz, even if it just to pitch to David Ortiz.
The Orioles need two pitchers to step up their game and act like a #1 and #2 pitcher. Gausman can definitely do it, although he is a rookie. And we need either Tillman or Jimenez (who really hasn't pitched that badly lately) to deliver. Chen, Norris, and Gonzalez are all fine for 3-5 pitchers, so they don't need to get another one.
In Oriole news, Bud Norris was optioned to the minors and Preston Guilmet was recalled.
As I mentioned earlier, Norris was not ready to pitch on July 9. The Orioles really missed the mark here, rushing him back and stating they wanted him to pitch twice before the All Star break. Now, he gets to do his rehab assignment as a minor leaguer during the All Star break.
I previously stated that I though Chen would be optioned to the minors to bolster the bullpen going into the All Star break. I had the right idea, just the wrong pitcher.
As I mentioned earlier, Norris was not ready to pitch on July 9. The Orioles really missed the mark here, rushing him back and stating they wanted him to pitch twice before the All Star break. Now, he gets to do his rehab assignment as a minor leaguer during the All Star break.
I previously stated that I though Chen would be optioned to the minors to bolster the bullpen going into the All Star break. I had the right idea, just the wrong pitcher.
MattFancy
Footballguy
Yeah if our SPs can pitch how they are supposed to, the rotation could be fine. I really hope after the break that Gausman stays up. He's been pitching very well lately and I don't think he can do much more in the minors. I understand limiting his innings, but we need him up here. Maybe go with a 6-man rotation for a bit to keep him and everyone else fresh.
Buck said after the break, no restrictions on Gausman including the playoffs. There won't be a Strausburg situation. Note the Gausman is on a limit due to being young and not having pitched this much in the past.
Bundy has a 75 pitch limit on every outing, but that won't prevent him from making the rotation later this year. I think he is more likely will be in the bullpen and maybe a spot starter. It is still not clear to me if Bundy will be ready for the majors this year.
MattFancy
Footballguy
I wouldn't mind seeing Bundy treated like Price or Wainwright and use him out of the pen in the case of a playoff run. Believe Price and Waino were both closers for their teams their first time up. Bundy as a closer? Definitely would stick below is pitch count and could give some flexibilty with Britton?
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
It's absolutely unbelievable how badly MD has screwed this up. More on the horizon, too, with the next down near National Harbor. If you haven't had the pleasure of doing so, take a commute down 210 off of I95 someday to see where they're dropping THIS one. The Rte 210 commute is a version of Hell on Earth on its best day NOW - that intersection with Old Ft Washington Rd (near where they're putting this sucker) is one of the worst gridlocks I've ever seen. They should've either gone to southern PG or put it somewhere near 50 & the Beltway - that would be a cluster#### too but at least there are several routes around. I have had a bad feeling about the Baltimore location, too, and GB The_Man's trepidation makes me feel pretty sure that I wasn't wrong.
Back to the Os - I've heard fans of other teams say they don't want their team's players in the Home Run contest because it'll mess up their swing or whatever. I'm not worried about Jones. His swing never really changes - Eddie Murray would change his DURING at bats; stances too - and he's always chased bad pitches. Sure - I'd like him to be more selective, but I'll take his game the way it is: .300 hitter with good power, plays his ### off, perennial all-star contender, not a great fielder but tries hard, and a hell of a leader.
So, does Weiters being done bode better for him coming back or worse?
Yesterday, Miguel Gonzalez sent to the minors and Steve Clevenger called up. I am fascinated with how the Orioles manager their roster.
They now have only 3 starting pitchers on the active roster: Tillman, Gausman, and Chen. Norris and Gonzalez are in the minors. And Jimenez is on the DL.
After the break, the Orioles will probably have Tillman, Chen, and Gausman start the first three games. That will allow them to keep an extra reliever and an extra catcher for a few more days.
They now have only 3 starting pitchers on the active roster: Tillman, Gausman, and Chen. Norris and Gonzalez are in the minors. And Jimenez is on the DL.
After the break, the Orioles will probably have Tillman, Chen, and Gausman start the first three games. That will allow them to keep an extra reliever and an extra catcher for a few more days.
The_Man
Footballguy
As Buck said the other day, not many teams have 4 starting pitchers that have minor league options. They really work things to give themselves a de facto roster of 28 players (or thereabouts). It's really smart.
My 16-year-old son has been out of the country since late June. I talked to him on Skype yesterday; when I told him the O's had a 4-game lead, he said "Maybe I shouldn't come back." Last time they led the AL East at the All-Star Break was about five months before he was born.
They stole a win last night with the rainout. That's the kind of break you need to win pennants. The last 2 weeks have been about as sweet as it gets - 4-game sweep at home of Texas, then going 2-1 in three consecutive series vs. Boston, Washington and the Yankees. Nice 10-3 stretch to end the first half.
Glad they built a little buffer, because it gets real tough now. 10-game West Coast swing vs. Oakland, LA and Seattle kicks off a string of 26 straight games vs. teams over .500.
The Orioles are playing well and getting a little lucky (nothing wrong with that). The Blue Jays lost 6 our of 7 on their west coast road trip to Oakland and Anaheim. They finished their 10 game road trip dropping 2 out of 3 to Tampa.
Facing Oakland and Anaheim back to back on the road trip is brutal. And we get 4 games in Seattle to wrap it up. Hopefully the Orioles will play well and fair better than the Blue Jays. I think getting the trip right after the All Star Break could be a break. They will play Oakland with 3 starting pitchers on the roster and a fully rested bullpen.
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That is hard to believe. The bullpen has actually been very good. The starting pitching has been surprisingly good. No starter has played their way out of the rotation yet. Everyone says Gonzalez is pitching for his spot in the rotation each time out. He has responded by pitching 8 innings and giving up 1 ER against Boston. And then 8 innings and 2 ER against the Evil Empire.
avoiding injuries
Footballguy
Jeez. I stopped checking in bc there weren't many updates in this thread. Nice work fellas.
The_Man
Footballguy
Wow, hero time for Adam Jones. He is putting this team on his back right now - 5 RBI in the win Saturday, and drove in all 4 runs the O's scored in last night's victory. The could easily be 0-4 and entering panic mode on this brutal West Coast swing if not for AJ.
I love that he's getting ahead in the count during this post All-Star Game hot streak. If he could just be a little more selective, he could do some serious damage. I would be pretty happy with a 5-5 trip. Now 2-2, and still 4 games up as they were when the road trip started. Would love for them to win tonight vs. a mediocre starter and get above .500 on the trip heading into tomorrow's game against Weaver.
If King Felix had pitched the first game after the All-Star Break, we would have missed him in Seattle. Instead, they gave him a day to rest after pitching in the All-Star Game and we get him in the series opener. Oh well.
Red Sox have won 5 straight and starting to make some noise. I am happy if they keep beating the Blue Jays for now. They're still 8 games back in the lost column - would need to go 43-20 to get to 90 wins, which I don't think they can do.
I love that he's getting ahead in the count during this post All-Star Game hot streak. If he could just be a little more selective, he could do some serious damage. I would be pretty happy with a 5-5 trip. Now 2-2, and still 4 games up as they were when the road trip started. Would love for them to win tonight vs. a mediocre starter and get above .500 on the trip heading into tomorrow's game against Weaver.
If King Felix had pitched the first game after the All-Star Break, we would have missed him in Seattle. Instead, they gave him a day to rest after pitching in the All-Star Game and we get him in the series opener. Oh well.
Red Sox have won 5 straight and starting to make some noise. I am happy if they keep beating the Blue Jays for now. They're still 8 games back in the lost column - would need to go 43-20 to get to 90 wins, which I don't think they can do.
Thunderlips
Footballguy
O's should go all in on a Hamels/Lee type pitcher. I'm not sure if Papelbon would be welcomed by the fans of BAL.....but he could be a less expensive option. This could be their year.
The_Man
Footballguy
O's don't really need a Pabelbon type. Their bullpen is legit. They need starters who go deeper into games to preserve the bullpen's arms.
To me, Gausman can't be part of any deal. He's pretty much their #2 starter - it doesn't make their rotation that much better to give up their #2, even if it means bringing in a real #1. To get better, they need to get rid of their #4 or 5 starter. And at this point, it's kind of tough to say who that is. Norris and Gonzalez, I guess, with Ubaldo as #6 in the wings.
One deal I've heard floated is Gonzo for Ian Kennedy. I could live with that - Gonzo always pitches his best on the West Coast (and vs. the Yankees) so maybe they should trade him right now while his value is highest. I've also heard talk of a 2B and/or lefty bat.
My guess is that any trade the O's make is on the fringes. They like their make-up and feel like they are building for some long-term success. If they aren't able to get a legit #1 pitcher without giving up Gausman (which I don't think they can), I really would like to see them add one more left-handed big bat. If a playoff game comes down to needing a lefty pinch-hitter to deliver, Buck's not going to be real excited to look down his bench and see only Flaherty and David Lough sitting there.
To me, Gausman can't be part of any deal. He's pretty much their #2 starter - it doesn't make their rotation that much better to give up their #2, even if it means bringing in a real #1. To get better, they need to get rid of their #4 or 5 starter. And at this point, it's kind of tough to say who that is. Norris and Gonzalez, I guess, with Ubaldo as #6 in the wings.
One deal I've heard floated is Gonzo for Ian Kennedy. I could live with that - Gonzo always pitches his best on the West Coast (and vs. the Yankees) so maybe they should trade him right now while his value is highest. I've also heard talk of a 2B and/or lefty bat.
My guess is that any trade the O's make is on the fringes. They like their make-up and feel like they are building for some long-term success. If they aren't able to get a legit #1 pitcher without giving up Gausman (which I don't think they can), I really would like to see them add one more left-handed big bat. If a playoff game comes down to needing a lefty pinch-hitter to deliver, Buck's not going to be real excited to look down his bench and see only Flaherty and David Lough sitting there.
I am a really big proponent of not making any big moves. They can't trade Gausman, Bundy, or Harvey. And after that, the farm system is pretty barren. They need all the talent they have in the farm teams. The Orioles really need to draft better. They have hit on their really high draft picks, but the lower rounds they continually come up empty.
For starting pitchers: between Tillman, Gausman, and Jimenez, they need two of the three to step up to the #1 and #2 pitchers. I suspect Jimenez will be given every opportunity since he has the big contract and it would be difficult to send him to the back of the bullpen. For the rest of the rotation, they can make do with Chen, Gonzalez, Norris, and the non-stepping up pitcher. Buck will probably mix and match the starters based on the matchups, much like how he was able to get Norris, Gonzalez, and Tillman, who all have good success against the Angels, to pitch against the Angels.
For 2nd base, they look committed to the development of Jonathan Schoop. So they aren't going to do anything to slow that down.
The bullpen is very solid, with Hunter, O'Day, Britton, and Matusz (one out lefty) coming in for the high leverage situations. You could point to the back of the bullpen as not as strong, but these are the guys you bring in when the starter leaves early and you have a less than ideal situation. McFarland and Brach are doing just fine here.
Catcher is the biggest question, and they look quite happy with Caleb Joseph.
If they trade for a left handed bat on the bench, that means Delmon Young will need to go (unless there is an injury). Young has delivered a lot, so it would be a tough move to make.
Thunderlips
Footballguy
The_Man
Footballguy
Bundy is kind of almost impossible to trade right now, only because I think the Orioles value him as a true blue chip, and most any trade partner would probably see him as semi-damaged goods. Even if the Orioles were actively shopping him - which I don't think they are - they'd have to find a trade partner who ascribes the same top value to him that the Orioles do.
He had been getting roughed up since going to high Single-A Frederick, but only gave up 3 hits in 6 shutout innings last night. They are limiting him to 75 pitches per outing for the rest of the season.
I agree that Bundy and Harvey are the gems of the farm system. After that, pretty much even the top guys currently project as bullpen arms and bench players.
It really did. I stayed up to watch the whole game even though I shouldn't have.
My only guess is that they were trying to rest O'Day by having Hunter pitch the 8th inning. Matusz was brought in to retire on batter with the bases loaded and 2 outs. And walked him. Not good.
The_Man
Footballguy
It might have been that Britton wasn't available, so they were saving O'Day for the 9th.
Hunter did OK, I thought - only bad batter was the double. The leadoff hit should have been an out and then he struck out two guys with the runner in scoring position.
Matusz was the real turd. He is one of my least favorite Orioles of recent vintage.
Would have been awesome to get the sweep. Assuming a loss to King Felix, and hoping the O's can go 2-1 in the other games to come back with a 5-5 West Coast swing.
AL East teams are heating up. They all play each other for the next few days.
Hunter did OK, I thought - only bad batter was the double. The leadoff hit should have been an out and then he struck out two guys with the runner in scoring position.
Matusz was the real turd. He is one of my least favorite Orioles of recent vintage.
Would have been awesome to get the sweep. Assuming a loss to King Felix, and hoping the O's can go 2-1 in the other games to come back with a 5-5 West Coast swing.
AL East teams are heating up. They all play each other for the next few days.
The Oakland A's designated Jim Johnson for assignment. His career sure blew up quickly.
I actually hope the Orioles give him another shot after he clears waivers. If they can fix Jim Johnson, he could be a solid bullpen arm at the major league minimum. If not, he would be just another flyer that can't get out of the minor leagues.
I actually hope the Orioles give him another shot after he clears waivers. If they can fix Jim Johnson, he could be a solid bullpen arm at the major league minimum. If not, he would be just another flyer that can't get out of the minor leagues.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
My mom is friends with someone who's friends with Johnson's wife. She says that Jim hated Oakland as soon as he got there - that the clubhouse isn't nearly as tight as Baltimore's and the players mostly keep to themselves. I wonder how much of that is the fact that it was a new team and that he's not successful there, and how much it's true. I do get the feeling that the Orioles are a close bunch, though (winning doesn't hurt).
Chen with a great game last night. Scattered 5 singles and a walk through 8 innings. It's a good thing because the rest of the AL East is winning, too.
Koya
Footballguy
Yeah, I passed out late in the game - of course I stay awake for the heartbreak game. But I'll gladly fall asleep if it means a win against King Felix. When you are working on records with Chief Bender, that's impressive.
Unfortunately, the Yanks have really come together with their trades, Boston seems to have a pulse and Tampa is on an absolute tear.
The_Man
Footballguy
6-4. 6-4!
What a great road trip. Nice to see that when O'Day finally faltered - which was inevitable considering how close to perfect he's been - they were able to pick him up. Britton was throwing some of the filthiest stuff I've seen in a long time to close out the game on 12 pitches yesterday. 98 mph sinker? That last lefty hitter to close out the game looked like Kruk vs. Big Unit in the All-Star game up there. He couldn't have touched Britton with a canoe paddle. Pretty nice to come back from the blown save in Oakland to convert 5 straight save opportunities.
The bullpen was as good like it always is, but the most amazing part of that trip was the starting pitching. The O's only batted like .200 and they still came home with a winning record. Taking my kids to the game tomorrow night - Dugout Club game. Weather is going to be beautiful and it will be nice to see if Baltimore turns out to welcome this club home. Hoping for a big, rowdy, Memorial Stadium-style crowd.
Flaherty not covering 2nd when the Angel's 6th run scored was a really bonehead play. Looking at the replay, it looks like Flaherty does get there before the base runner, so if Hardy sticks with the initial play and tosses to 2nd, they get the out.
The_Man
Footballguy
wowowow
I pray it is just one of the Holy Trinity - Gausman, Bundy, Harvey.
If I had to guess, I'd say Harvery and a position player, plus maybe another Tier 2 arm like Eduardo Rodriguez.
Don't think they'll give up Gausman and Bundy is kind of damaged goods right now.
Just not having to face that guy will make the Orioles better.
I pray it is just one of the Holy Trinity - Gausman, Bundy, Harvey.
If I had to guess, I'd say Harvery and a position player, plus maybe another Tier 2 arm like Eduardo Rodriguez.
Don't think they'll give up Gausman and Bundy is kind of damaged goods right now.
Just not having to face that guy will make the Orioles better.
Koya
Footballguy
Depends on how much risk we take on it being a rental vs paying him enough to stay after this year. That's a big chance, but how often have we been in this position of late? We have a couple game lead and a fall back of two wildcards and in that case, Lester's pitching the WC at least
