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The Blue Jays come into this one having swept the Rangers in Texas, something they haven't done in 23 years. They'll try to keep the momentum alive tonight against the struggling Orioles, who host the Jays having lost 4 of 5 after opening the season on a 6 and 1 tear.


Baltimore is, surprisingly, tied with the Jays for first in the AL East with a record of 7-5. For comparison purposes, the Jays have scored 62 runs and allowed 45, while the Orioles have scored 55 and allowed 53. The Orioles had a rough go of it this weekend in Tampa Bay. Their number 'one' starter Jeremy Guthrie to took the hill on Friday and went 6.1 strong innings allowing only 2 earned runs before their bullpen blew it, allowing 8 over an innings and two thirds to turn the game into a laugher, 10-5. On Saturday they managed to squeeze out a 3-2 win in the top of the 9th with a Ramon Hernandez solo home run. Sunday saw Brian Burres take a no-hitter into the 5th and promptly give up six runs, effectively ending the game as the Orioles went on to lose 6-2. 10 runs over three games is nothing to write home about, and now they get to face McGowan and the Jays hottest pitcher (apologies Doc).

The Orioles do not have a particularly strong collection of talent, as evidenced by the pitching the Jays will face. They miss Guthrie, who was a reasonably above average pitcher last year and is probably the only O that could make the Jays starting rotation. They also do not have a particularly strong season catchphrase: "This is Birdland" doesn't really seem to resonate for me. I guess it's more so that all these season catchphrases are pretty bad - the Jay's is "It's Always Game Time" which is non-sensical. Neither is as good as the Giants though... Anyway, for a more in depth analysis of the Orioles comings and goings I will refer you to the Orioles season preview.

Tonight the Jays get 25 year old Matt Albers, making his first start in the AL. Normally a reliever, he's spot starting because the O's had to play a double header last week against Texas. He came over from Houston in that big Miguel Tejada trade just before the details of Miggy's alleged juicing came out, along with Luke Scott who's also off to a good start. Anyway, Albers was bad all around in making 18 starts and coming out of the pen to pitch 110 innings for the Astro's last year, with an era approaching six. He walked too many batters and didn't strike out enough of them to make up for it, (51/71), though he has whiffed 7 against 0 walks coming out of the pen in 6.1 innings this year. He has a live arm and can sit comfortably in the mid 90s with his fastball, which he tends to live off of. The only problem is it straightens out and he can have trouble finding the zone. He also throws a good curve ball, but can have trouble finding it as well. Thats about it though; he'll mix in the occasional change or slider, but he really lives of the fastball and curve.

Tomorrow night we see crafty vetran™ Steve Trachsel. Some of you may remember him from back when he was a Blue Jay - he made 11 starts for the home side in 2000. Anyway, Trachsel is infuriatingly slow most of the time, setting deliberately before coming to the plate. He's not the innings eater he once was though, having only gone 7 innings or more once in his last 16 starts. Look for him to start hitters with his two seam fastball that rests in the mid to high 80s while mixing in a lot of splitters and curve balls; he'll also throw the occasional change up.

A few random notes:

Perpetual trade talk favourite Brian Roberts has started off the season hot with an OPS of almost .900 and 5 steals leading off. It would be surprising if he remained with the team past the trading deadline - he's too good to play for the Orioles basically... Other teams are realizing they can pitch around the really good Nick Markakis and face the not quittteee as good Kevin Millar - Markakis has 11 walks on the year, tied for second in the AL... Millar is 4 for his last 30 with 2 walks and no XBH, almost as bad as Big Papi. Almost...Aubrey Huff attributes the Orioles (now finished) hot start to "just having fun and playing loose, playing relaxed and just having a good time" due to low expectations...Left handed hitting Luke Scott, the O's new LF is off to a good start and gets bonus credit for apparently preparing really hard before games, keeping a journal and everything. For this he is rewarded with the chance to start against LHP... Super prospect Adam Jones got the start in the leadoff spot in the Texas DH and went 2/4, otherwise he is 6/34... New closer George Sherill was light's out for the Mariners last year and hasn't allowed a hit so far this year, picking up 5 saves in 5 appearances. Old friend Spencer Fordin writes that Sherrill really wants the ball, and wants to go as often as he can. ""I think that's the case with a lot of guys," Sherrill said. "If you get a couple days off, it just feels a little weird. Your timing gets a little off, and throwing in the bullpen helps a little bit, but there's no way to simulate getting in a game."

The Hospital: Danys Baez and Chris Ray both recovering from TJ surgery, the unfortunately named Rocky Cherry is out  with, uh, a right shoulder strain.

The Credit Section: All offensive stats, pitches per PA for pitchers and league average stats are from the Hardball Times. Pitchers' stats and leverage indices are from Fangraphs. Minor-league stats are from Minor League Splits and First Inning. K% and BB% are strikeouts and walks as a percentage of plate appearances; GB% + LD% + FB% = 100. These are 2008 stats except where noted, so most of the pen ones don't mean much.




Advance Scout: Orioles, April 14-15 | 17 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Jdog - Monday, April 14 2008 @ 05:15 PM EDT (#182721) #

Looking at that K% and BB% for Marcum sure brings a smile to my face.

Alex Obal - Monday, April 14 2008 @ 06:45 PM EDT (#182729) #
Amen. And the efficiency numbers - 3.6 P/PA and 7 IP/GS. The quicker at-bats are a leading cause of Marcum averaging 7 innings a start. Both are big improvements over last year's numbers, 3.9 and 5.7 respectively.

And it's not like he's been facing hacker teams either. He's done this against the two most patient teams in the league, #2 Boston (3.91 P/PA) and #1 Oakland (3.96).

I'd like to see a tie game in the ninth at some point this series, so we can see Sherrill and Ryan pitch back-to-back. That would be cool. Solid jorb, Anders.
scottt - Monday, April 14 2008 @ 06:50 PM EDT (#182730) #
So, what IS the Giants catchphrase?

I followed the link and nothing caught my eyes. I googled it and found several candidates.

The one I like most is "Without HRs, it's run, run, run."

So what's the real one? We will? Because?

James W - Monday, April 14 2008 @ 06:56 PM EDT (#182733) #
Top of the page:  "ALL OUT ALL SEASON" in some flashy orange and black.
Ducey - Monday, April 14 2008 @ 07:00 PM EDT (#182734) #

Well after the Bonds media circus the last few years, the Giants saying is likely something like : "We are still here!"

Anders - Monday, April 14 2008 @ 07:16 PM EDT (#182737) #
Alex brought the Giants slogan to my attention initially, so kudos there. I enjoy the double connotation of 'outs.' The Giants have averaged 3.17 runs a game so far, which works out to about 510 runs over 162 games. The worst scoring team in the NL last year was the Nationals, and they scored 673 runs. The last time an NL team scored fewer than 600 was the Dodgers in 2003 and they scored 574. No one was under 550 in the NL going back to 1990.
scottt - Monday, April 14 2008 @ 07:20 PM EDT (#182738) #
Top of the page:  "ALL OUT ALL SEASON" in some flashy orange and black.

Probably some IE script. Nothing like that on this Firefox.
Sheldon - Monday, April 14 2008 @ 07:43 PM EDT (#182739) #
He was refering to the slogan of the SF Giants.

Anyways its too bad tonights game isn't on TV. After the weekend sweep I need more Jays! I guess I'll use Gameday.
paulf - Tuesday, April 15 2008 @ 03:53 AM EDT (#182743) #
Amusing moment from the O's broadcast today:
Buck Martinez, working the colour quips "The last time the Jays swept a three game series in Arlington I caught the last game".  The play-by-plan man had a non-verbal reaction usually reserved for off-colour jokes - he couldn't tell weather to laugh or feel offended for someone.

RhyZa - Tuesday, April 15 2008 @ 07:44 AM EDT (#182745) #
Can't help but think that game might have had a different outcome if Rios had started.
tstaddon - Tuesday, April 15 2008 @ 08:44 AM EDT (#182746) #
With so many aged vets clogging the paths in San Fran, I'm thinking Giants' fans would prefer some pronunciation added to that tagline. How's about:

ALL: OUT ALL SEASON

Rob - Tuesday, April 15 2008 @ 09:48 AM EDT (#182749) #
Buck Martinez, working the colour quips "The last time the Jays swept a three game series in Arlington I caught the last game".

Now we know: that's why he pinch-hit for Vernon Wells with Brian Simmons. He didn't want to waste an opportunity for a joke seven years in the future.
Geoff - Tuesday, April 15 2008 @ 12:28 PM EDT (#182755) #
Buck is a crafty one to go to all that trouble. Using the biggest piece of the David Wells trade as such a pawn.

That game also features the memory of Bob File, once promising reliever at 24. Sadly, I can now sponsor his BBRef page for just $5 per year.

I hope Buck wasn't purposefully part of his demise with an eye to a future broadcast quip.

vw_fan17 - Tuesday, April 15 2008 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#182764) #
Remind me again what happened to Bob File?
scottt - Tuesday, April 15 2008 @ 06:46 PM EDT (#182775) #
Other teams are realizing they can pitch around the really good Nick Markakis and face the not quittteee as good Kevin Millar - Markakis has 11 walks on the year, tied for second in the AL... Millar is 4 for his last 30 with 2 walks and no XBH, almost as bad as Big Papi.

What you missed is that Kevin Millar is batting .346 (9-for-26) with a pair of doubles, two homers and six RBIs at home, while hitting .136 and driving in one run away from Camden Yards.


#2JBrumfield - Wednesday, April 16 2008 @ 12:17 PM EDT (#182792) #

Now we know: that's why he pinch-hit for Vernon Wells with Brian Simmons.

Brian Simmons - there's a name to forget.  I still remember Buck referring to Simmons as the best 4th outfielder in the American League during a TV interview.  Yikes!  Speaking of obscure Brians, how about Brian Lesher?

Advance Scout: Orioles, April 14-15 | 17 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.