The 3-3 Baltimore Orioles being their first road-trip of the year, with a visit North of the boarder, to face the 4-2 Toronto Blue Jays.
1) The O’s were 30-51 on the road last year, and 28-44 overall against the American League East. Baltimore managed just 6 wins in the 18 games against Toronto in 2011. This series (and the rest of the road trip) is an early opportunity for the O’s show they will be more competitive away from OPACY, and against the Jays this year.
2) Arrieta was able to build off his strong Opening Day performance, with another quality outing Wednesday against the Yankees. Over the next two days, Hunter and Hammel get the chance to follow-up their own strong initial starts.
3) I don’t want to overstate it, but I do think Sunday’s start is somewhat important for Matusz. In his first start against NY, it was clear that Matusz was physically improved vs. anything we saw from him last year. It was not just the improved velocity, and movement; he was missing some bats, and his curve was better as well. He had a great change-up to Swisher. Matusz got behind too many hitters, and seemed to be overthrowing at-times. A lot of high and away fastballs. He went full with numerous hitters, and was not able to put those hitters away. He lasted just 4 innings, and threw 96 pitches. In his 4 innings, he allowed 6 hits, 4 er, 4 bb’s, with 1 k. Ultimately, it does not matter if the stuff is better, if he does not find the plate. This is a guy that was drafted as a control pitcher. I’m sure he will again show the ability to throw multiple pitches for strikes, in multiple hitting zones. If he does that, with a return of his stuff; he should again find success. I’m expecting better results. The natives are restless for Matusz to perform. If he struggles again Sunday, there is going to be a lot of attention focused on him by Monday morning.
4) After 5 hits in the first two games of the year, Markakis has gone without a hit in his last 14 ab’s (though he has had 4 bb’s in that span). Markakis can not go entire series’ without producing.
5) Reimold and Davis have combined for 36 ab’s, and neither has yet to walk. Davis has had hits (and k’s) in 3 of the 4 games he has played. Reimold had his first xbh ( a double ) of the year, in the 9th Wednesday. For the O’s offense to take off, these two have to contribute. Do they get going in Toronto?
6) Three of Andino’s eight hits have been doubles, which has been good to see. On the negative side, he has had just 1 walk against 8 k’s.
7) After a horrible game Tuesday, Reynolds came back with a double, and 2 walks Wednesday. The turf at the Rogers Centre can be unforgiving. Can he go through the weekend without an issue with the glove? Does he get the power stroke going?
8) Paulino is scheduled to start in-place of Wieters on Saturday. How else is the bench used? Flaherty has yet to start, does he get a start in Toronto? Johnson has started 0 for 9. If gets in, you’d like to see him get his initial knocks.
9) If the bullpen is forced to provide extended innings over the weekend, do we see a roster move Sunday night prior to heading to Chicago?
10) Betemit has a combined .849 OPS in 463 ab’s against RHP the past 3 years. Toronto will be putting 3 right-handers on the mound the next couple of days. Time to produce.
Projected Pitchers:
4/13: Hunter vs. Morrow (RHP)
4/14: Hammel vs. Alvarez (RHP)
4/15: Matusz vs. Drabek (RHP)
Morrow 2011: 11-11, 4.72 era, 179.1 ip, 162 hits, 21 hr’s, 69 bb’s, 203 k’s, .705 OPS against, 0.59 G/F
Morrow 2012: 0-0, 0.00 era, 7 ip, 1 hit, 3 bb’s, 3 k’s
Pitch F/X:
http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/453344/
Alvarez 2011: 1-3, 3.53 era, 63.2 ip, 64 hits, 8 hr’s, 8 bb’s, 40 k’s, .717 OPS against, 1.20 G/F
Alvarez 2012: 0-0, 1.50 era, 6 ip, 4 hits, 1 hr, 1 bb, 2 k’s
Pitch F/X:
http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/506693/
Drabek: 4-5, 6.06 era, 78.2 ip, 87 hits, 10 hr’s, 55 bb’s, 51 k’s, .857 OPS against, 0.83 G/F
Drabek: 1-0, 1.69 era, 5.1 ip, 3 hits, 3 bb’s, 4 k’s
Pitch F/X:
http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/475138/
Depth Chart:
C: Arenciba .720 OPS in ’11, 23 hr’s
1st: Lind .734 OPS in ’11, 26 hr’s
2nd: Johnson .304 OBP in ’11 (545 ab’s)
SS: Escobar .782 OPS in ’11, 38 xbh’s
3rd: Lawrie 21 xbh’s in 150 ab’s in ’11
RF: Bautista Back-to-back years OPS at or above .995
CF: Rasmus .689 OPS in ’11, 44 xbh’s in 471 ab’s
LF: Thames .769 OPS in ’11, 41 xbh’s in 362 ab’s
DH: Encarnacion .787 OPS in ’11, 17 hr’s
Bench: Mathis, Vizquel, Francisco, Davis
Rotation: Romero, Morrow, Alvarez, Drabek, Laffey
Bullpen: Santos, Cordero, Oliver, Janssen, Frasor, Villanueva, Perez
Current Ranks:
Toronto
Runs: 9th
Batting Average: 26th
On Base: 28th
Slugging: 28th
ERA: 5th
Quality Starts: 13th
WHIP: 5th
BAA: 1st
Baltimore
Runs: 16th
Batting Average: 5th
On Base: 8th
Slugging: 5th
ERA: 8th
Quality Starts: 13th
WHIP: 15th
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.