The O’s are coming off a disappointing series against Texas, where they lost 3 of 4.
The Angels arrive in Baltimore tonight, for a quick two game series to end the opening month of the 2009 season.
LA is 7-11 overall, and in last place, 4.5 games behind Seattle in the American League West.
The Angels are 1-5 on the road, and 4-6 during their last 10 games overall.
Baltimore is 9-11 overall, and in 4th place, 4.5 games behind Toronto in the American League East.
The O’s are 7-6 so far this year at Camden Yards.
The pitching matchups are:
4/28 – Eaton vs Saunders
4/29 – Uehara vs Loux
Saunders is 2-1, with a 3.51 era, 25.2 innings pitched, having allowed 20 hits, 8 walks, with 8 k’s.
He has held hitters to a .664 OPS against.
Eaton is coming off the strong outing vs the White Sox.
Shane Loux is a journeyman pitcher, being used to fill holes in the Angels rotation, after the death of Maryland’s Nick Adenhardt, and injuries to E.Santana, Lackey, and Escobar.
He has allowed 26 hits in only 16.1 innings, with 6 walks, and just 5 k’s. Hitters have a .864 OPS against him.
The Orioles will miss Vlad Guerrero this series, as he is also on the DL.
As we end the Month, this is a good-time to review the goals I had out-lined for April prior to Opening Day:
Goal 1 – Establishing Guthrie, and Uehara as a consistent 1,2 punch at the top of the rotation
Guthrie: 2-1, 5.20 era, 27.2 innings, 34 hits, 11 walks, 16 k’s, 5 homers allowed
Uehara: 2-1, 4.56 era, 23.2 innings, 21 hits, 6 walks, 14 k’s
Neither one is an Ace, or really a number 2 starter… but both are taking the ball every 5th day, and giving the O’s a chance to win.
Guthrie labored last night, but he had more life and movement on his fastball, and his velocity was consistently at 94. His control has been a bit of an issue so far in 2009, but his mechanics looked improved last night.
Uehara has allowed 2 er or less in three of his four starts… has gone 7 innings, and 6.2 innings in his last two starts… have to consider his signing a success so far…
Goal 2 – Maintaining leads, and turning the ball over to Johnson, Ray, and Sherrill after the 9th
This also looks to be improving on the whole, but the O’s have blown a couple of games late (including last Friday) that they had no business losing.
Goal 3 – Ending April with Hill, and Bergesen in the rotation
Bergesen had two April starts, and Hill has ended April receiving rehab starts in the Minors… putting him on-course for a May 9th promotion to the O’s.
Goal 4 – Getting Adam Jones off to a good start.
343 avg, 3 homers, 17 rbi, and a 1.020 OPS should qualify as a good-start.
Goal 5 – Felix Pie has a Minor Leaguer career .355 on-base %… want to end April at .315 and above.
Pie’s on-base % is an abysmal .259… to his credit, he does have 6 walks which shows better plate discipline than advertised. He is going to have to produce in regular May starts, or lose his job by the start of June.
Goal 6 – End the month with Luke Scott comfortable in the DH position.
Scott is batting .279 with 3 homers, 11 rbi and a .873 OPS. The move to DH has not hurt his production.
Goal 7 – Would love to end April at .500, but 10-12 for the month should be the minimum goal
A split with LA in this two game series, will have Baltimore end the month at 10-12 as predicted.
Goal 8 – Promote Matt Wieters to the starting Catcher position April 17th.
Has not occurred yet… ending April with the conjecture he will not be promoted until mid-June to try and avoid him obtaining Super 2 Status.
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.