After a horrific looking 3 days in New York, the Orioles return to Baltimore for their second series against the Washington Nationals. The O’s are 39-30 overall, 2nd in the American League East, 2.5 games behind the Yankees. As of today, they are the 1st Wild Card team in the American League. The Nationals are 40-27, and leading the National League East.
1) The series vs. the Mets was so ugly, that it seemingly erased the good feelings that were created from the O’s winning their previous four series. The confidence of the fan-base remains tenuous. A lot of people want to buy in, but they have nightmares of the previous decade plus dancing in their heads. Any time the O’s look bad for a couple of days, there is a feeling that disaster is right around the corner. Winning a second series against a quality Nationals team, would be a good way to respond to the poor Mets series.
2) Following a road-trip where the O’s struggled to score in National League cities, the O’s return home to American League rules and get to add a DH to their lineup. That can only help the offense. With Davis showing an ability to be at-least adequate in the OF, might we see each of Davis, Reynolds, Betemit, and Johnson in the lineup tonight, and tomorrow vs. the RH’s Zimmerman, and Jackson?
3) Hammel makes the start tonight, coming off of his CG 1 hit shut-out of Atlanta. Getting late into the 1st half, Hammel has had an All-Star worthy season to date. Another couple of quality starts could (should?) secure his spot on the AL roster. Beyond individual accolades, when a team is off their game, they need their best starters to pick them up.
4) The bullpen comes into this series very rested. Obviously the O’s were off yesterday. Johnson has pitched 2 ip in the last week. Strop 1.1 ip, Ayala 2.2 ip, O’Day 1 outing, Patton 1.2 ip, Gregg 1 ip, Eveland 1.2 ip.
5) Like Hammel, Chen is 7-2 and also coming off of a strong start in Atlanta. Chen has won his last 3 outings. In those 3 outings (a combined 20.1 ip), he has allowed just 1 hr and has had 10 k’s vs. just 3 walks.
6) Roberts had 3 hits in his first game vs. Pittsburgh, and 3 hits and 3 rbi’s in 2 games in Atlanta. In New York, he was just 1 for 11, but had his first two walks. During this series vs. the Nationals, I would like to see Roberts have his first XBH, and his first steal. The main way he can help the O’s is by consistently getting on base, but you want to see that gap power. I’m not worried about him stealing a bunch of bases like he did previously, but do want to see him get the first out of his way.
7) I really enjoy watching Hardy play on a daily basis, particularly in the field. He has a strong and accurate arm, and makes every play he can get his glove to. We also know he has power and can help a lineup. Right now, he is hurting the O’s batting 2nd regularly. His on-base percentage is just .284. He also had just 1 hr, and 1 double in his last 15 games. The O’s offense needs more from him.
8) In his last 10 games, Wieters has 5 doubles, 6 walks, and 7 rbi. For June as a whole, his OPS is .887. He is due to see a couple of balls leave the Yard.
9) Following a big series vs. the Pirates; Reynolds struggled as much as anyone on the road trip (1 for 15, 7 k’s). Does he get back going at home, or does the slump continue?
10) After allowing 1 er in 7 ip vs. the Pirates, Arrieta provided another 7 ip vs. the Mets (this time taking the loss, while allowing 4 er). The Grand Slam Arrieta allowed to Davis left a bad taste in peoples mouths, but all-in-all it was an effective outing. This will be Arrieta’s 2nd start vs. the Nationals, the previous being one of his better outings of the year.
Projected Pitchers
6/22: Hammel vs. Zimmermann
6/23: Chen vs. Jackson
6/24: Arrieta vs. Detwiler (LHP)
Zimmermann: 3-5, 2.92 era, 83.1 ip, 76 hits, 10 hr’s, 16 bb’s, 62 k’s, .664 OPS against, 1.16 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/519455/
Jackson: 3-4, 3.02 era, 86.1 ip, 66 hits, 8 hr’s, 25 bb’s, 63 k’s, .648 OPS against, 0.88 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/429719/
Detwiler: 4-3, 3.34 era, 62 ip, 54 hits, 6 hr’s, 21 bb’s, 46 k’s, .674 OPS against, 1.10 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/446321/
C: Flores .625 OPS
1st: LaRoche .838 OPS
2nd: Espinosa .701 OPS
SS: Desmond .740 OPS
3rd: Zimmerman .611 OPS
LF: Lombardozzi .676 OPS
CF: Harper .875 OPS
RF: Morse .550 OPS (67 ab’s)
Bench: Bernadina, Moore, Ankiel, Nady, Solano
Rotation: Strasburg, Gonzalez, Jackson, Zimmermann, Detwiler
Bullpen: Clippard, Gonzalez, Burnett, Gorzelanny, Stammen, Wang, Mattheus
Current Ranks:
Washington
Runs: 26th
Batting Average: 24th
On Base: 24th
Slugging: 16th
ERA: 1st
Quality Starts: 1st
WHIP: 1st
BAA: 1st
Baltimore
Runs: 13th
Batting Average: 21st
On Base: 23rd
Slugging: 10th
ERA: 11th
Quality Starts: 25th
WHIP: 10th
BAA: 12th
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.