There is not much positive to take away from last night's game as the Twins completed the sweep the O's with a 7-2 victory.
On the bright side, the bullpen looked good again. Only Jeremy Guthrie was not particularly sharp but he pitched out of jams and limited the damage.
Jaret Wright got shelled but did most of the damage himself issuing the 5 walks in 2.3 innings. you won't win a lot of games with that lack of control.
Play in the field was sloppy. Jay Gibbons dropped a sure out in foul ground and then Miguel Tejada missed the ensuing chopper hit his way. Add a bad throw from Corey Patterson and you have 3 errors. You're not going to win a lot of games that way either.
It's only the first series of the year but it has already exposed some weaknesses for Baltimore. The lack of depth, especially at catcher and the outfield positions, the poor (and short) bench and the weaker links in the pitching staff. Jaret Wright needs to regain his control or he will be the second coming of Russ Ortiz.
The lack of offense is a bit concerning too but the Twins do have a good staff and a great bullpen. It's not completely unexpected that the Orioles were held in check.
This team needs a better showing against the Yankees this weekend.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
1988
Cal Ripken's newest book is for kids. Unfortunately it's based on Baltimore's 1988 season. You remember, the season the team started 0-21?
Isn't this subject way too scary for kids?
Cabrera Cruises, Not Enough Run Support
Daniel Cabrera was cruising through three, groundballs galore. He got wild later, had some bad luck on bloop hits, stolen bases, etc. But Cabrera never lost his composure and pitched great all game. Baltimore just couldn't manage to get men across the plate.
The bullpen looked great again for the second straight night.
Melvin showed that his 0-5 night was just a bit of bad luck as he jacked a homer into the leftfield stands in the 2nd.
Tejada is on fire. He is playing great shortstop, he is all over the field. He took a ball that ricocheted off of Cabrera's leg and if Aubrey Huff could've held it, would've robbed Castillo of a hit. Made a diving stop and flipped to Roberts at second starting a spectacular double play.
Alberto Castillo had worked with Cabrera before in the Dominican Leagues so he got the start last night. It's the closest thing Cabrera will ever get to a personal catcher. It was entertaining watching them interact. They looked like Dominican version of Crash Davis and "Nuke" LaLoosh.
The Twins have stolen 6 bases in the last two games and they haven't been caught stealing once. Ramon Hernandez led the league throwing out runners last season. Would Adam Donachie have been any worse than these guys?
Why has Freddy Bynum been the pinch hitter the last two nights? Last I checked, Chris Gomez is a pretty good hitter. Our best bench player rides the pine late in a close game.
Ask yourself this: A thirteen man rotation or a deeper bench? Which would be helping more right now?
The bullpen looked great again for the second straight night.
Melvin showed that his 0-5 night was just a bit of bad luck as he jacked a homer into the leftfield stands in the 2nd.
Tejada is on fire. He is playing great shortstop, he is all over the field. He took a ball that ricocheted off of Cabrera's leg and if Aubrey Huff could've held it, would've robbed Castillo of a hit. Made a diving stop and flipped to Roberts at second starting a spectacular double play.
Alberto Castillo had worked with Cabrera before in the Dominican Leagues so he got the start last night. It's the closest thing Cabrera will ever get to a personal catcher. It was entertaining watching them interact. They looked like Dominican version of Crash Davis and "Nuke" LaLoosh.
The Twins have stolen 6 bases in the last two games and they haven't been caught stealing once. Ramon Hernandez led the league throwing out runners last season. Would Adam Donachie have been any worse than these guys?
Why has Freddy Bynum been the pinch hitter the last two nights? Last I checked, Chris Gomez is a pretty good hitter. Our best bench player rides the pine late in a close game.
Ask yourself this: A thirteen man rotation or a deeper bench? Which would be helping more right now?
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Random Notes from Yesterday's Games
Most reactions to the Opening Day loss to the Twins were tempered with the old "It's only the first game." line, which is an absolutely correct assessment. But Rick Maese at The Baltimore Sun has thrown that argument completely out the window and is taking a bit more pessimistic approach. And I quote:
"It's the Orioles, and if you're expecting things to go according to plan, well, you probably haven't been paying much attention lately."
Jesus Rick, are we Red Sox fans now? Haven't seen that much dreariness and despondency at the start of the season since I left New England.
Speaking of Boston, the Red Sox got whooped 7-1 out in Kansas City. Gil Meche beats Curt Schilling! How did this happen? Curt explains in his blog, 38 Pitches:
"When you are facing a guy like Gil certain things can make it easier or harder. He’ll walk some guys if you give your offense a chance. His stuff is so good that when offenses have to press against him, or their down and need to make something happen, he can eat you up."
The lesson: Don't get behind on Gil Meche. Who knew?
Looking at the rest of the AL East, Toronto wins it in the 10th in Detroit and the Yankees beat the devil Rays in the Bronx. Tampa made a nice run at it with their young hitters leading the way but they just don't have the arms to keep themselves in the game.
I was listening to a podcast of the Dan Patrick Show and Peter Gammons was optimistic about the O's. This is notable because I haven't heard anyone in the national media say anything nice about Baltimore this offseason. He thinks they are the most improved team in the East and that they are good enough for at least a 3rd place finish. Keith Olbermann actually picked them second! A nice change of pace.
I watched the rest of the O's game and saw that Bako had not one but two passed balls! Where's the D? Isn't this guy supposed to be a defensive specialist?
"It's the Orioles, and if you're expecting things to go according to plan, well, you probably haven't been paying much attention lately."
Jesus Rick, are we Red Sox fans now? Haven't seen that much dreariness and despondency at the start of the season since I left New England.
Speaking of Boston, the Red Sox got whooped 7-1 out in Kansas City. Gil Meche beats Curt Schilling! How did this happen? Curt explains in his blog, 38 Pitches:
"When you are facing a guy like Gil certain things can make it easier or harder. He’ll walk some guys if you give your offense a chance. His stuff is so good that when offenses have to press against him, or their down and need to make something happen, he can eat you up."
The lesson: Don't get behind on Gil Meche. Who knew?
Looking at the rest of the AL East, Toronto wins it in the 10th in Detroit and the Yankees beat the devil Rays in the Bronx. Tampa made a nice run at it with their young hitters leading the way but they just don't have the arms to keep themselves in the game.
I was listening to a podcast of the Dan Patrick Show and Peter Gammons was optimistic about the O's. This is notable because I haven't heard anyone in the national media say anything nice about Baltimore this offseason. He thinks they are the most improved team in the East and that they are good enough for at least a 3rd place finish. Keith Olbermann actually picked them second! A nice change of pace.
I watched the rest of the O's game and saw that Bako had not one but two passed balls! Where's the D? Isn't this guy supposed to be a defensive specialist?
A Use for Bako...
...tackling dummy.
I'm glad Paul was back there to take that hit and save Ramon from the same...
5 Keys to the Season
(edit: I'm a little late with this but I had to take the kids to the beach this weekend. What can I say?)
OK, here's what we need to watch for this season. Ready?
1. The O's lower their ERA by a full run this season
This is what happened in Atlanta during Leo's second season there. that means the staff needs to post an ERA of 4.35 or better this year, especially if Baltimore is to see some success this season. 4.35, remember that number.
2. Markakis hits 25
Nick is looking like he may exceed prior expectations as far as his power numbers go. This year, he needs to take his place as (at least) the second best offense player on the team, behind Miguel Tejada.
3. Increased production from LF/CF
Corey Patterson had a great year in 2006 and LF looks upgraded with Jay Payton/Aubrey Huff over there. But if Patterson regresses (a distinct possibility), we'll need more than just adequate play out of leftfield this year. Let's hope Patterson doesn't backslide too much and we can get something like something like 15-20 HR and a .275 average out of leftfielders. Sadly, that would be a big improvement from last year.
4. Melvin Mora circa 2004
....or at least 2005. Melvin dropped off at the plate last year and Baltimore needs him to rebound a bit if they wish to contend this year. We can't have a third baseman SLG sub-.400 this year.
5. Health
Outside of the bullpen or 1B/DH types, the O's don't have a lot of depth. They need to stay reasonably healthy to contend this year. We can't have Brandon Fahey playing left again (at least not this year) and expect to contend.
Got it?
Let's Go O's!
OK, here's what we need to watch for this season. Ready?
1. The O's lower their ERA by a full run this season
This is what happened in Atlanta during Leo's second season there. that means the staff needs to post an ERA of 4.35 or better this year, especially if Baltimore is to see some success this season. 4.35, remember that number.
2. Markakis hits 25
Nick is looking like he may exceed prior expectations as far as his power numbers go. This year, he needs to take his place as (at least) the second best offense player on the team, behind Miguel Tejada.
3. Increased production from LF/CF
Corey Patterson had a great year in 2006 and LF looks upgraded with Jay Payton/Aubrey Huff over there. But if Patterson regresses (a distinct possibility), we'll need more than just adequate play out of leftfield this year. Let's hope Patterson doesn't backslide too much and we can get something like something like 15-20 HR and a .275 average out of leftfielders. Sadly, that would be a big improvement from last year.
4. Melvin Mora circa 2004
....or at least 2005. Melvin dropped off at the plate last year and Baltimore needs him to rebound a bit if they wish to contend this year. We can't have a third baseman SLG sub-.400 this year.
5. Health
Outside of the bullpen or 1B/DH types, the O's don't have a lot of depth. They need to stay reasonably healthy to contend this year. We can't have Brandon Fahey playing left again (at least not this year) and expect to contend.
Got it?
Let's Go O's!
O's Drop Opener
OK, I'll admit that I didn't see the entire game, just from the 4th inning on. (I was out of town with the family, didn't get back until late...) So here's some incomplete notes on the game, I'll watch the rest on replay later...
I'm going to assume that Paul Bako was woozy from that big collision with Justin Morneau. I'm just going to assume that since this defensive dynamo couldn't possibly have let that passed ball go with out so much as a flinch in the direction of the ball for about 3 seconds, allowing a runner to score from third. And that throw that nearly went into the outfield while he tried to throw out Jason Tyner. That big collision with Morneau was the only play he made all night. I think Adam Donachie could have done as well....but I digress. It is now obvious that when Ramon Hernandez is not in the lineup there is not only a gaping hole offensively, there is also a big dropoff defensively. Get well Ramon...
Erik Bedard was not sharp. The ump had a tight strike zone, at least most of the time (Melvin Mora would disagree...) and Erik was getting squeezed on some good pitches. He gave up 10 hits including back to back homeruns in the second to Morneau and Torii Hunter. Although Erik usually keeps the ball in the park, he had three games last year where he gave up two homers in a game so this game wasn't unusual. Bedard just seems to give up homers in bunches from time to time.
Johan Santana wasn't that sharp either and turned out to be quite hittable last night. He got bailed out by Rondell White who made an unbelievable catch in left on what would've been a double for Mora in the 5th and never really was threatened after that (save the solo shot from Tejada to open the 6th).
Melvin Mora had a tough night, getting called out looking twice on very questionable outside pitches and getting robbed of a double. He looked better than his box score line would indicate.
Jay Gibbons stroked two doubles which made me happy for the guy. Hopefully, he keeps a hot bat through this first week or two and robs Kevin Millar of much of his playing time when Jay Payton comes back. I have been a big booster of Millar and I think he can be a useful player but man, does he look old up at the plate. His bat looks slow and his control of the strike zone seems to be suffering too.
The bullpen looked good especially John Parrish. Time will tell but the much maligned deals the O's made in the off-season for bullpen help seem to have paid off.
Today, Cabrera vs. Bonser. Go O's!
I'm going to assume that Paul Bako was woozy from that big collision with Justin Morneau. I'm just going to assume that since this defensive dynamo couldn't possibly have let that passed ball go with out so much as a flinch in the direction of the ball for about 3 seconds, allowing a runner to score from third. And that throw that nearly went into the outfield while he tried to throw out Jason Tyner. That big collision with Morneau was the only play he made all night. I think Adam Donachie could have done as well....but I digress. It is now obvious that when Ramon Hernandez is not in the lineup there is not only a gaping hole offensively, there is also a big dropoff defensively. Get well Ramon...
Erik Bedard was not sharp. The ump had a tight strike zone, at least most of the time (Melvin Mora would disagree...) and Erik was getting squeezed on some good pitches. He gave up 10 hits including back to back homeruns in the second to Morneau and Torii Hunter. Although Erik usually keeps the ball in the park, he had three games last year where he gave up two homers in a game so this game wasn't unusual. Bedard just seems to give up homers in bunches from time to time.
Johan Santana wasn't that sharp either and turned out to be quite hittable last night. He got bailed out by Rondell White who made an unbelievable catch in left on what would've been a double for Mora in the 5th and never really was threatened after that (save the solo shot from Tejada to open the 6th).
Melvin Mora had a tough night, getting called out looking twice on very questionable outside pitches and getting robbed of a double. He looked better than his box score line would indicate.
Jay Gibbons stroked two doubles which made me happy for the guy. Hopefully, he keeps a hot bat through this first week or two and robs Kevin Millar of much of his playing time when Jay Payton comes back. I have been a big booster of Millar and I think he can be a useful player but man, does he look old up at the plate. His bat looks slow and his control of the strike zone seems to be suffering too.
The bullpen looked good especially John Parrish. Time will tell but the much maligned deals the O's made in the off-season for bullpen help seem to have paid off.
Today, Cabrera vs. Bonser. Go O's!
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