The 23-28 Baltimore Orioles head west to start a 3 game series with the Seattle Mariners tomorrow night.
Seattle has won 3 games in a row, and is up 6-0 early on the LA Angels today.
Pending today’s game, the Mariners are 24-26, in 3rd place in the American League West.
Seattle is 12-12 at home, while the O’s are 7-15 on the road.
The pitching match-ups are:
6/1: Hill vs Washburn
6/2: Hernandez vs Bedard
6/3: Bergesen vs Vargas
The O’s miss former Oriole G. Olson, and the imposing King Felix Hernandez.
After going 5.2 innings in each of his first two outings, and allowing 2er both times… Rich Hill was ineffective his last-time out.
All I want to see tomorrow is slightly improved control, and see him attempt to get ahead with the fast-ball. If he is ahead in the count, he be divistating with that 12-6 curve. In that big Seattle ball-park, he should be confident in throwing strikes.
Washburn seems as if he been around for ever, and he does in-fact turn 35 this year. 101-103 for his career, he is the definition of mediocre.
In 2009, he appears to be somewhat drinking from the fountain of youth. Washburn has made 9 starts and is 3-3, with a 3.45 era. The lefty has pitched 57.1 innings, allowed 53 hits, 5 homers, 16 walks, with 41 k’s.
David Hernandez will make his 2nd Major League start on Tuesday. Like Berken today, you would expect to see the nerves reduced that 2nd-time out. That should help with his control.
Hernandez will be opposed by former Oriole Eric Bedard. The O’s missed facing Bedard in 2008. Bedard has rebounded from the injury riddled 2008 season, to again be effective in 2009.
Bedard has made 9 starts and is 3-2, with an outstanding 2.48 era. In 54.1 innings, he has allowed 46 hits, 6 homers, 15 bb’s, with 54 k’s.
It will be interesting to watch Mariner fan reaction when Adam Jones steps into the box against Bedard Tuesday night.
On Wednesday, the O’s will hand the ball to Bergesen, who is coming off the excellent performance Friday night at Camden Yards.
Seattle is the perfect park for a pitcher who invites contact like Bergesen.
Baltimore will face Seattle’s Jason Vargas, yet another lefty.
The 26-year old Vargas will be making his 5 start of the year. He has pitched 27.1 innings, allowed 21 hits, 4 homers, 9 walks, with 17 k’s.
In his last 23.2 innings, he has allowed 5er.
Seattle has superior OF Defense with Balentien, Ichiro, and Gutierrez from Left to Right.
Jose Lopez and A.Beltre are slumping so far in 2009, and you do not want to see either break-out against the Birds.
Ken Griffey Jr. is splitting time at DH, and is batting just .205 after 127 at-bats.
This series, and next week at Camden Yards could be the last-time that Baltimore fans get to watch Junior on the field.
David Aardsma is the closer for the Mariners, and in 24.2 innings, he has just allowed 13 hits, with 26 k’s. He has allowed 14 walks however.
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.