Tampa has split their first two games of the year, and are ahead 4-1 today in Boston.
4/10 – Hendrickson vs Sonnastine
4/11 – Guthrie vs Niemann
4/12 – Eaton vs Shields
Will be interesting to follow Sonnastine this year…. In 2009, he allowed 212 hits in 193.1 innings, but was successful in large-part because he only allowed 37 walks.
Sometimes knowing that an opposing player will be around the plate, can lead a team to be overly aggressive.
After a difficult Spring Training, Guthrie answered the call Monday when the lights came-on for Opening Day, allowing 3er in 6 innings. With Eaton going Sunday, and the O’s spending all of next week in Texas and Boston, you need innings from Guthrie. After turning 30 yesterday, you hope he has a Quality Start as a present to himself.
After Monday, Guthrie has had 57 career starts as an Oriole…
0 earned runs allowed – 2 times
1 earned run allowed – 17 times
2 earned runs allowed – 13 times
3 earned runs allowed – 12 times
4 earned runs allowed – 5 times
5 earned runs allowed – 6 times
6 earned runs allowed – 1 time
7 earned runs allowed – 1 time
Last weekend, I was hopeful that Niemann might become available as a waiver pick-up for the O’s. This week, the O’s prepare to face him, after being named the 5th starter for Tampa to start the year. (David Price waiting in the wings).Fresh from a World Series Ring Ceremony for Philly, Adam Eaton returns to Baltimore to face the Rays Sunday. With him being activated, their will be a corresponding move…. Which would seem to be the release of either Baez or Bass.
In a year with no aspirations of contention, watching Adam Eaton get starts and taking innings equates to watching paint-dry for me.
Eaton turns 32 in September…
In 2007, he was 10-10, with a 6.29 ERA, allowing 192 hits, in 161.2 innings, with only 97 k’s, and 71 walks.
In 2008, he was 4-8, with a 5.80 ERA, allowing 131 hits, in 107 innings, with only 57 k’s, and 44 walks.
Good-luck to him in the American League East.
Tampa Lineup
Iwamura 2nd
Crawford LF
Longoria 3rd
Pena 1st
Burrell DH
Navarro C
Joyce CF
Bartlett SS
Zobrist RF
BJ Upton – DL
Bench – Kapler, Zobrist, Aybar, Riggans
Rotation – Kazmir, Shields, Garza, Sonnastine, Niemann
Percival
Balfour
Wheeler
Howell
Shouse
Nelson
Cormier
Goals
1) O’s were 37-43 at home in 2008, (did not makeup rainout) and 22-50 against the AL East. O’s have started out 2 and 3 at-home, and against the East. Would like to continue that start with 2 of 3 from the AL Champion Rays.
2) Guthrie and Uehara both jumped out and grabbed wins to start 2009… important to continue to establish these two at the top of the rotation.
3) Ray, Albers, and Sarfate had rough initial outings, want to get them on the mound again quickly.
4) Want to get ahead early and be able to turn the ball over to Johnson, Ray, and Sherrill after the 6th.
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.