A few quick Oriole thoughts for Wednesday afternoon.
1) David Hernandez has made 14 Major League starts, and has walked 3 or more batters in 8 of those starts. Despite that, he has also provided at-least 5 innings of work in 11 of his starts. In outings of 5 innings or more, he has allowed 3er or less 8 times. Before last night I talked about how I wanted to see some improving control, and increasing strike-outs to end the year. Hernandez had 7 k’s last night, but also had 6 walks. Combine those walks with the 17 homers he has allowed in 79.1 innings, and you have problems.
If he can go to the bullpen and fully exert himself over a couple of innings, I think he can help this team.
2) You want to shut-down Matusz early, I can get behind that. I do not understand why Tillman needs to be shut-down in mid-September. Tillman pitched 135.2 innings last year, and has pitched 137 so far in 2009. There are 4 off days during the month, and he should be able to finish the season.
3) Felix Pie has a .797 OPS. He is positioning himself to take over LF to start 2010, with Reimold moving to DH.
4) Scott probably starts 2010 as the everyday 1st-baseman, but when Snyder is promoted, Scott’s days with the O’s are numbered – if Pie, and Reimold are healthy and producing. It would not be shocking to see MacPhail use Scott (and possibly Guthrie) to help address SS on a long-term basis this winter.
5) A rough night for Adam Jones, and not just talking about the injury. He has been struggling, and was clearly frustrated. I think he is standing too far off the plate, and needs to go back to attacking RF. I would like Trembley and the coaches to make him play a deeper CF. If you are a glass 1/2 empty-guy, Jones has struggled to end the year. If you are a glass 1/2 full guy, Jones did improve in his 2nd-year, and just turned 24. Another benefit of his slide to end the year, is that now could be the best time to lock him up long-term, instead of his production being at max-output.
6) Berken has shown some recent improvement, which should help people understand why he could help out of the bullpen in 2010. I am looking forward to him not being part of the rotation though.
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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.