With a series win in New York, the Baltimore Orioles improved to 16-9 overall, and 7-5 against the American League East. Friday, the O’s will begin a series against another East Division foe; when they face the Red Sox in Boston.

1) Nolan Reimold missed the last two games of the New York series, due to the bulging disk in his neck. He received tablets of Medrol to reduce swelling, and the hope is that will be available for the series opener against the Red Sox. If the Medrol does not help, you would have to think a trip to the DL is the next step.

2) Endy Chavez’s O’s career has started slow, with Chavez going just 5 for his first 46. His .294 OPS so far this year, is lower than just his .323 on-base % last year. Even as a reserve, more is needed from him. If Reimold is out, Chavez should be moved to the bottom of the lineup, at-least until he starts hitting.

3) Baltimore faces Oriole killer Jon Lester in the opener tomorrow. In 114.1 career innings vs. the O’s, Lester is 14-0, with a 2.36 era and 97 k’s. A win against him the first time out in 2012 would be nice.

4) JJ Hardy has hits in 4 games in a row, and 5 of the last 6. With his HR, and double in the last two games in NY; there is hope he is ready to break out.

5) Chen will be starting tomorrow, making his 3rd road start, and 2nd start against an AL East team. He is coming off a strong 7 inning, 1 run outing against Oakland. For the year, Chen is 2-0, with a 2.22 era. In his 24.1 ip, he has allowed 24 hits, 2 hr’s, 8 bb’s, and 19 k’s. His OPS against is .665, and his G/F ratio is 0.56. In each of his previous 4 starts, he has gone at-least 5.1 innings, and allowed 2 er or less. Does this continue?

6) Markakis has hits in each of the last 5 games, and 6 of the last 7. If Reimold is forced to the DL, I’d like to see Markakis moved to the top of the order.

7) O’Day has pitched in 10 games so far this year. In his 12.2 ip, he has allowed 6 hits, 1 er, 3 bb’s, with 13 k’s. O’Day has had 15 ab’s against LH hitters, and only allowed 1 hit. I’d like to see him used against Gonzalez, and Ortiz if need arises late in games.

8) I’d expect Paulino to be in the lineup tomorrow against Lester. During ’09-’11, Paulino has an .815 OPS against LHP, and a .613 OPS against RHP.  With the O’s off today, does Wieters get back-t0-back days off tomorrow? I think Wieters should be in tomorrows lineup as the DH.

9) You had to feel good for Nick Johnson Tuesday night, when he got his first hit. It was good to see him come back last night with 2 more hits, including another double. If Showalter wants to keep him in the lineup tomorrow, there is some justification (Johnson has a higher career OPS vs. LHP) but I’d be surprised. I would like to see Johnson start Saturday, and Sunday though.

10) I would also guess that Reynolds plays tomorrow, but does not figure to play Saturday or Sunday. Reynolds is hit-less in his last four games (0 for 11), and 3 for his last 30 overall. He did not strike-out Opening Day, but he has struck-out at-least once in each of the other 19 games he has played. I consider myself a Mark Reynolds fan, but it is time for him to get going. He is obviously capable of power to all fields. I don’t understand his reluctance to go the other way. With Reynolds issues at 3rd, and his current struggles at the plate, I have to wonder if there is growing sentiment within the organization to release Mark. I think that be a mistake. The guy has an .806 OPS in nearly 2,600 ML at-bats. It is a long season, and he has proven over time he can be a major offensive contributor. When some of the guys going great right now regress, Reynolds should be due to get hot and pick up the slack. Still, that argument is only going to hold for so long. At some point, the O’s are not going to be able (willing) to carry a guy with glove issues, who is not giving you anything offensively.

Bonus) The O’s have to take advantage of a Boston team playing without Crawford, Ellsbury, and Youkilis. I believe this should be a Baltimore series win.

Projected Pitchers:

5/4: Chen vs. Lester (LHP)
5/5: Hammel vs. Cook (RHP)
5/6: Hunter vs. Buchholz (RHP)

Lester: 1-2, 4.65 era, 31 ip, 28 hits, 2 hr’s, 14 bb’s, 23 k’s, .700 OPS against, 1.02 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/452657/?batters=A&count=AA&pitches=AA&from=4%2F1%2F2012&to=5%2F2%2F2012

Cook 2011: 3-10, 6.03 era, 97 ip, 127 hits, 9 hr’s, 37 bb’s, 48 k’s, .874 OPS against, 1.28 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/346871/?batters=A&count=AA&pitches=AA&from=4%2F1%2F2011&to=10%2F2%2F2011

Buchholz: 3-1, 8.69 era, 29 ip, 40 hits, 7 hr’s, 15 bb’s, 16 k’s, .964 OPS against, 1.10 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/453329/?batters=A&count=AA&pitches=AA&from=4%2F1%2F2012&to=5%2F2%2F2012

C: Saltalamacchia  .767 OPS
1st: Gonzalez .697 OPS
2nd: Pedroia .810 OPS
SS: Aviles .817 OPS
3rd: Middlebrooks 1.057 OPS (AAA)
LF: McDonald .748 OPS
CF: Byrd .632 OPS
RF: Sweeney .953 OPS
DH: Ortiz  1.148 OPS

Bench: Shoppach, Ross, Iglesias, Punto
Rotation: Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront, Bard
Bullpen: Aceves, Morales, Hill, Atchison, Albers, Padilla, Mortensen

Current Ranks:

Boston
Runs: 4th
Batting Average: 3rd
On Base: 9th
Slugging: 3rd
ERA: 29th
Quality Starts: 23rd
WHIP: 28th
BAA: 26th

Baltimore
Runs: 11th
Batting Average: 13th
On Base: 16th
Slugging: 6th
ERA: 3rd
Quality Starts: 13th
WHIP: 7th
BAA: 6th

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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