The Maryland Sports Blog

Joe Saunders the unlikely veteran with a 3-3 record (1 ND) and a 3.63ERA will take the mound tonight for the Baltimore Orioles as they attempt to win the Elimination game against the Texas Rangers. The Rangers will counter with Yu Darvish 16-9 has a 3.90ERA and 221 strikeouts on the year.

Buck has hinted towards rotating out pitchers, and I personally don’t see any pitcher seeing the entire Texas lineup more than once. The bullpen has been a big strength this year and the contributions of them and Brian Matusz could be the turning point in winning this game.

For many Orioles this game will be somewhat of a homecoming, Quintilla, Davis, Strop, and Teagarden to name a few will all be returning to the place they got their start. Hopefully they will all be able to channel their inner Tillman and make them pay for releasing them.

This could be the perfect storm for Baltimore as Texas has struggled to end the season, surrendering the Divisional lead to Oakland. The bats have gone somewhat cold the end of the season but they are still the most potent offense in the American League. The Orioles will need to keep this game close and get a big performance from Saunders to set the tone, I think that Showalter has set up this team all year for this game, and I believe the Orioles will rise to the occasion.

Does the fact that I bleed black and orange give me a slight bias on who will win this game, and my assertions, sure. But I believe that the Orioles have had something all year that has meant more then statistics, Swagger. Most will call it confidence, or just describe it as an unrelenting determination to win, to prove the analysts, the critics, and everyone else wrong. Something has been brewing in Baltimore, we’ve seen flashes of it before this year but this year it all came together.

I think the Orioles come out strong and do what they need to do to get on the board, Showalter lives for these situations, he knows this is his chance to be the one in the dugout for the World Series not in the Broadcast Booth.

My Prediction: Orioles 4 Rangers 2

Tommy Hunter, affectionately known as ‘Deep-ball Tommy’ or ‘The Home-run King’ has been optioned to Double-A affiliate Bowie Baysox. What is mainly being seen as an opportunity for him to give up home-run’s to double-A players for a change, could also provide an opportunity for Steve Johnson to showcase his talent. Johnson has a 3.27era in four game appearances with the Orioles this year. His lone start against Seattle he had a line of  6.0IP, 5H, 2R, 2BB, 9SO, and earned the win thanks to a five RBI day by Wieters.

Hunter’s best pitch would could be called a ‘meatball’ , and is usually served up to admiring fans in the stands, as he leads the major in one pitching category; home-runs allowed (32). As I wrote in an earlier post the Orioles had hoped Hunter would return to form this year, but with his 4-8 record in 23 games this year it appears the Orioles are ready for a break.

With Hammel set to return shortly, and Johnson making his second start the Orioles have continued to overcome adversity, they have also showed something we haven’t seen much of in recent years, the willingness to put down a dead horse. If the O’s are going to make a playoff run they will hope to ride Chen, Hammel, Gonzalez, Britton and Johnson into October. With a number of series against AL East opponents the Orioles could do what they’ve been doing all year, continue to win and prove everyone wrong.

The Orioles designated outfielder Endy Chavez for assignment tonight, calling up Nate McLouth from the Norflk Tides in his place. McLouth had the option to leave the Orioles last night at midnight but decided to stay on, the call up I’m sure played a part in his decision to stay.

Chavez who was signed to a one-year contract has failed to live up to the expectations the Orioles believed he once would, hitting to the lowest average of his career (.190), lower than his rookie season where he hit (.208) with the Kansas City Royals. Once again plagued with injuries that have limited him the last couple years, he has only played in 47 games this year, the same amount of games McLouth has played in Norfolk while with the Orioles (Excluding the games played with the Pirates)

In the limited time played, McLouth has hit to a (.244) avg. and 29 runs with an OBP of .325, Chavez with a (.190) avg., 12 runs and an OBP of .222. McLouth has the pedigree, an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2008 when with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but struggled early this season, leading to his acquisition on June 5th by the Orioles. McLouth is looking for an opportunity and the Orioles are looking for some consistency in the outfield and at bat.

The Orioles have continued to move pieces around looking for a player to rise to the occasion, ever since Nolan Reimold was placed on the DL. His presence not only in the outfield but at the plate has played a part in what has been a revolving door of players in the outfield. While several analysts saw outfield as a position the Orioles could trade for before the deadline there wasn’t a deal that appealed to them, and they have choose to continually use internal solutions.

McLouth went 2-4 in his return to the majors with a run scored, and helped the Orioles shutout the Tampa Bay Rays behind a strong performance by Wei Yen Chen who is 1-1 versus the Rays this year. A win tomorrow against the Rays would not only give the Orioles a series win, but also a series split at 6-6 this year.

The Orioles will have Gonzalez (3-2, 4.46ERA) who has performed his way into the starting rotation, while the Rays will counter with Price (14-4, 2.64ERA) and has absolutely been lights out. Price has been kryptonite against the Orioles recently, and it will be interesting to see how Gonzalez rebounds from his last outing against the Rays where he gave up 7 runs. The addition of Gonzalez late in the season and his consistency could of factored in to the Orioles not trading for an innings eater pitcher like Blanton.

The Orioles will once again give rookie Xavier Avery a shot at the starting lineup, called up today in place of Nick Johnson who was placed on the DL with a sprained wrist. The Orioles are hoping to have the same success the Nationals and Angels have had with rookie phenom’s Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. Avery did have some struggles in his first stint with the team this year that ended with a 3 for 30 slump, some believed he had become impatient at the plate and couldn’t hit breaking pitches.

While it was hard to see Avery sent down after seeing the potential he has not only in the outfield but on the bases, it appears to have improved his performance at the plate. In his last 10 games he is batting .333 in 39 AB, 4 SB, 5 RBI. During his time in Baltimore this year Avery had a .217AVG mired by his slump and had 4 stolen bases in 15 games. While the Orioles bats have apparently gone silent recently Avery could present the spark that reignites the team’s offense. Since Trout’s call up the struggling Angels went from a 6-14 start to 42-33, it also sparked the emergence of A. Pujol’s bat. The Orioles management will be hoping that Avery can have the same impact.

The Orioles have a team AVG of .235 in the month of June with a total of 81 runs so far with three days left in the month, in May and June they had 134 runs. While the offensive woes have raised some concern relief could be close to returning, Nick Markakis has just been cleared for baseball activity and would provide some offensive consistency. The bullpen has continued to be lights out thanks to Showalter’s management of innings, the top five relief pitchers have pitched between 33-36 innings.

One interesting statistic, in games following a loss by the Orioles N.Reimbold had an AVG of .421 in 5 games, followed by A.Jones .313 in 32 games then N.Markakis at .291.  The Orioles take the field tonight at Camden against the Cleveland Indians (37-37) who have lost the last 5 games and will look to rebound against an Orioles team that has also been struggling losing six of the last eight. Don’t jump ship just yet, though the O’s have had some offensive struggles recently,however they still appear to be ‘buyers’ by the trade deadline and that could lean them more towards a ‘bat’ then another ‘arm’.

“It isn’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much can you take and keep moving forward? That’s how winning is done.”-Rocky Balboa. While it may seem corny the Orioles have already exceeded many expectations this season, but one fact remains, winning teams find ways to rebound from struggles. With 11 games left until the All-Star break, we will look to see if they can right the ship, “Why Not.”

Honorable Mention:

Lew Ford .341 AVG continues to shine in the minors but his only downside could be his age, the Minor league journeymen has played well this year and many fans wanted to see him brought up with the current lack of offense. While Ford has been hitting well Avery can provide explosive speed on the bases and the outfield and consistent defense in left field, something the Orioles needed more.

The Orioles go into tonight’s game with a starting pitching ERA of 4.47 Ranked 6th in the American League that has remained manageable thanks in part to Chen (3.38) and Hammel (2.61). Hammel and Chen have gone a combined 15-5 while the rest of the starters 11-22. Here’s a look at everyone behind Chen and Hammel and who we could see called up.

Current:

Hunter (5.70ERA) can not seem to avoid the long ball this year as he’s allowed (18)HR’s, he trails P.Hughes (19) and J.Vargas, SEA.(21). Before coming to Baltimore he posted a 13-4 record and a 3.73era and 3HR’s in 128.0 innings in 2010. Unfortunately these career high’s are not the ones the Orioles envisioned when signing him. The recent move to the bullpen has been a reflection of his struggles on the mound and we could see him DFA once Lindstrom returns from the DL.

Matusz (5.24ERA) continues to struggle with consistency and once again his 6th inning struggles continued, he has a 20.25 ERA in the 6th inning allowing 18 earned runs. It’s been hard to watch Matusz struggle,  hoping that he could return to his 2009 form in which he went 11-2 with a 1.91ERA. Orioles saw Matusz as a dominant southpaw but after last years struggles it sometimes appears that he is uncomfortable on the mound. While the leash on him as always appeared to be longer than others, we could soon see him optioned if he can’t provide consistency.

Arrieta (5.55) It finally appears Arrieta is finding some consistency after some recent changes on the mound, one that has him standing closer to the first base side of the rubber and a more relaxed approach. If Arrieta can build upon his recent momentum that will definitely help the Orioles remain in the playoff hunt, and fans would love to see him emerge as the ace he has shown glimpses of becoming. It appears that the temporary move to the bullpen has inspired him, with the exception of the Mets game, he has been lights out. I don’t see a return to the minors, but we could see him packaged in a trade, though the ladies of Baltimore would miss their heartthrob pitcher.

Farm:

Britton (5.74ERA) is a fan favorite to get the call up, rumors are that he has returned to full form and his velocity and command appear to be improving. In his last start he allowed two runs and four hits, while his ERA inflated with his first couple starts and getting readjusted, he appears to be settling in and definitely has the attention of Dan and Buck.

Berken (2.32ERA) was just selected to the Triple-A All-Star game in Buffalo, and is garnering attention, he’s 1-1 in 14 games this year and continues to show dominance at the triple-A level. Berken has had flashes in the past in the bullpen but appears to be adjusting to his new starting role. Berken and Britton’s recent success contributed to the release of Jamie Moyer.

Tillman (3.76ERA) appears to be finding his groove, one of the players that came over from Seattle with A. Jones, he’s only allowed one ER in his past two starts. The issue that has always plagued Tillman was command, which appears to be much improved. The recent changes the Orioles made with their pitching staff appears to be paying off, partnered with a new the mentality that Showalter brings, appears to be a winning formula.

Gonzalez (1.61ERA) has been remarkable, appearing almost out of nowhere he has made a good impression. He was sent down to Norfolk to be stretched out, after working primarily in relief and is up to around 80 pitches and could be a couple starts before consideration. Originally drafted by the Angels, then selected by Red Sox in Rule 5 Draft, was signed by the Orioles as a free agent in February.

Baltimore has endured a lot these last fourteen years and even with the success, fans are cautious that things will end similar to previous seasons such as 2005. It appears that the Orioles had  issues with enduring the ‘marathon’ that is the entire season, and were most likely seen as ‘sprinters’. While the Orioles have sustained injuries they have somehow managed to overcome these setbacks and have key performances by unlikely candidates. The management of the bullpen by Showalter has been incredible, though they lead the league in innings pitched, the innings have been dispersed evenly.

It’s been a nice change, the number of orange shirts seems to be on the rise and there seems to be something different in the air, some have even murmured the words “Why Not?.” It’s nice to know there is a lot to look forward to, the Orioles will be ‘buyers’ and could make a splash that makes for some exciting baseball come September and possibly October baseball in Baltimore. I might be a glass half-full kinda guy, but I think the Orioles can make a decent run at a postseason, what’s wrong with having a little hope.

Honorable Mention: 

Steve Johnson (2.82ERA) disregard that his Dad works for MASN, he’s a quality pitcher and wouldn’t of cleared waivers without getting picked up by another team. We will probably hear more about Johnson once other prospects have moved up to the majors, but he is a talented pitcher and could eventually help the Orioles.