Tonight, the 3-0 Baltimore Orioles begin a home series with the 0-3 New York Yankees. Here are some things I’ll be looking for:

1) Obviously the O’s starting pitching was outstanding in the Opening Series against Minnesota. Brian Matusz worked hard during the off-season, and performed well enough during the Spring to earn a spot in the rotation. He gets the opportunity tonight, to officially put his 2011 season behind him.
1a) In 2011, two of Matusz’s horrible 12 starts were against New York. In 2010, Matusz made four competitive starts against the Yankees. Whatever success (or failure) Matusz has tonight, is less about the Yanks, and more about Matusz himself.

2) I think O’s fans can stop tracking how many games Kevin Gregg finishes this year. The O’s will not allow Gregg to finish 50 games in 2012, and have that $6M option for ’13 automatically be picked up. The question becomes how you are going to use him. If you are going to have him on the roster, you have to be willing to use him? You can not just use him on the road, in all low-leverage situations. If you are afraid to put him out there it situations that matter, than you need to be willing to eat his contract, and give Showalter another option.

3) The O’s used a 3-4-5 of Markakis, Jones, and Wieters in the initial series, and they produced. Combined they went 10 of 30, with 2 doubles, 4 hr’s, 6 rbi, 5 bb’s, and 5 k’s. The offense is primarily built around this trio. If they collectively produce, it just changes the lineup as a whole.

4) Arrieta, Hunter, and Hammel allowed 6 walks in their 22 innings. They worked quick. The Yankees will attempt to be patient, and take a lot of pitches, working to get into your bullpen. They will step out of the box, and try to get pitchers out of a rhythm. O’s pitchers need to get Strike 1 on Yankee hitters, get the ball back, and fire again.

5) Chen will be making his Orioles and MLB debut. Between ’08-’11 in Japan, Chen was 36-30, with a 2.48 era, in 631.1 ip. He allowed 518 hits, 47 hr’s, 153 bb’s, and had 500 k’s. Chen, who turns 27 in July, has a lot more professional experience than a traditional MLB Rookie, but he will still be beginning a new chapter here. There are plenty of adjustments he will be facing (New Country, culture, increased travel, better talent, less domes, etc.), but his pure stuff should still be apparent right away. The O’s chances of exceeding expectations greatly increase if you become confident in Chen giving you 175 innings at a 4.50 era.

6) Paulino, Johnson, and Chavez each received starts in the initial 3 games. Flaherty got into a a game as well. How are they used the next 3 days?

7) I continue to think there is a fair amount of pressure on Davis, and Reimold to produce results fairly immediately. They were a combined 3 of 15, with 1 rbi, 0 bb’s, and 3 k’s in the first 3 games. I don’t want to see either one dig a whole. Get the bats going this series.

8) There are a lot of eyes still watching every step Reynolds makes at 3rd. He had an error in the first two games, and Davis saved him from another with a great play at 1st. By all accounts Reynolds worked hard at improving his defense this off-season. Hopefully this NY series will be the start of him getting a few games in, without further incident. If that happens, maybe his confidence builds and he goes back to his below-average / adequate fielding number of ’09, ’10.  That is the positive spin. The negative take would be, if he has a couple of more early errors, the pressure on Reynolds is going to greatly increase. This O’s team is better with Reynolds at 3rd, vs. having Davis move back across the diamond, Betemit playing the position, or Antonelli being called-up to replace him.

Reynolds does not have to be ‘good’ at the hot corner, but him again being a butcher will not be acceptable. Getting a few walks, and bombing a HR or two, will also help turn down the heat on the people watching his glove.

9) In the 3 games against the Twins, the O’s played from ahead in each game, grabbing 4, 8, and 3 run leads. Can you get out ahead on NY? If you play from behind, how do you respond?

9a) Rivera had some trouble in Tampa Bay, but he is Rivera. The back of the Yankees bullpen also has Soriano, and Robertson. If the games are close and tight late; how does your bullpen respond?

10) In the last 3 years against the O’s, Sabathia has gone 11-2,  with 3.00 era. In his 93.1 ip, he has allowed 85 hits, 31 er, 7 hr, 23 bb’s, with 72 k’s.  Can the O’s get to him, right away to begin ’12?
10a) Arrieta Rd. 2. He had a big-time start on Opening Day. Can he follow that up, with another strong performance?

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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