Has it been awhile since you’ve watched the story of the ’89 Orioles? Can’t find the old, ‘Cito Sucks‘ shirt?
Plenty understandable.
It feels like several lifetimes ago, since that five season period of ’89-’93 when the Toronto Blue Jays were legitimately the most disliked AL East Divisional foe for the Baltimore Orioles.
Of course, the hatred coming from Charm City was largely being driven by the Jays success, and Baltimore’s jealousy of Toronto’s ’92 and ’93 World Championships.
As an Oriole fan, do you have any particularly strong memories of the Jays since that point?
I don’t.
When the O’s made the Playoffs and ’96 and ’97, the Jays were an also ran. (And illustrating how long ago that was, the Detroit Tigers were still in the East.)
During ’98 through ’11, the O’s were wretched annually, and basically the definition of irrelevant as a franchise.
Toronto during that period was regularly solid, typically right around .500; but never a threat for the post-season.
Baltimore finally ended their playoff drought in ’12, with a Wild Card birth. In ’14, the O’s claimed their first Division Title since ’97.
In ’12 and ’14, Toronto won 73 and 83 games respectfully.
Last year, the Jays got back to the post season for first time in their organization’s history since their ’93 World Title, and won the East.
Baltimore’s ’15 was spent regressing from the 96 wins of the year before to finishing .500 a year later.
So as the Blue Jays arrive in Baltimore for a 3 game series beginning tomorrow night; it’s fair to say this is the most significant series between these teams in nearly a quarter century.
Toronto leads the AL East with a 74-56 record. The O’s are in 3rd place in the Division, trailing the Jays by 3 games. Baltimore is currently in possession of the AL’s 2nd Wild Card.
Tomorrow is Game 131. Only 20% of this 2016 regular season remains. Starting tomorrow, the O’s have 6 remaining head-to-head games with the Jays.
If the Orioles want to be playing games that count in October, their position would certainly be improved by winning at-least 2 of 3 of these games to end August.
(You can discuss this article on the BSL Board here.)
The pitching match-ups are:
August 29th: Estrada vs. Miley
August 30th: Happ vs. Jimenez
August 31st: Sanchez vs. Gallardo
An optimist would point out that Miley is coming off a decent start (5ip, 2 er @ Washington). That Jimenez had a quality outing vs. the Nationals (6ip, 1 er, 0 bb’s). That Gallardo had a four start run of competitive starts before being shelled in New York Friday night.
A realist would say the O’s are effectively starting three #5 (or worse) caliber starters against one of the most powerful offenses in the game.
To once more use that horrible saying, “It is what it is.”
It’s not realistic to go into these games, and expect Baltimore’s starters to shutdown Toronto’s offense. It’s probably too much to hope for quality starts.
The bar here is low. What you are asking the starters to be is competitive. Give the O’s a chance. Don’t get buried right away.
Can they get through 5 innings, allowing 4 er or less?
That’s all I’m hoping for, and admittedly that feels like it might be asking too much.
Notes:
1) Toronto is tied for 5th overall in Runs Scored, 6th in Slugging %, and 8th in On-Base %. Baltimore is 8th overall in Runs Scored, 3rd in Slugging %, and 16th in On-Base %.
2) Baltimore is 4th in Defensive Efficiency, Toronto is 29th.
3) Toronto is 6th in ERA, 3rd overall in Quality Starts. The Orioles are 23rd in ERA, 24th overall in Quality Starts.
4) Baltimore’s bullpen remains 1st overall in WPA. The Blue Jays are 10th.
5) Old ‘friends’ Josh Donaldson, and Manny Machado are 4th and 5th respectfully in fWAR in the American League.
6) Activated off the DL Thursday, Jose Bautista had 3 hits today. Edwin Encarnacion has a .347 /.450 /.694 split vs. the O’s in 49 ab’s this year. Both are pending Free Agents.
7) O’s Manager Buck Showalter was optimistic today in his comments on Chris Tillman. Tillman is apparently feeling much improved, and could rejoin the Orioles around September 9th or 10th.
8) Showalter also noted today that Adam Jones is close to returning. That if Sunday’s game had been a night game, he could have played. As such, Jones figures to be in the lineup tomorrow night.
9) It’s the last 3 games until the rosters expand September 1st. Tommy Hunter was signed and joined the O’s in New York today. Oliver Drake was promoted back up to the Majors. Drake had 15.2 ip with the O’s in ’15, and 5.2 ip in the bigs earlier this year. Maybe he’s nothing more than a AAAA arm, but his production at Norfolk over these last two seasons has been impressive. He can expect to be called on during this series.
10) The O’s lead the Majors with 202 homers. Toronto is 2nd in the bigs with 186. What are those totals going to be when this series is over?
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.