The Britton debate
The Britton debate
Steve Melewski
Orioles
O's president Andy MacPhail comfirmed in an e-mail last night that the Orioles are considering calling up their top pitching prospect Zach Britton later this summer, although it likely won't happen this weekend. This brings us to the great debate - should the O's call-up Britton to the Majors this year or just let him finish the season at Triple-A? A Britton call-up would be exciting to see and many fans would welcome it to spice up this miserable season. But would that be the right...
Same old story
Same old story
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Same old song and dance. The Orioles can't beat the Blue Jays. Doesn't matter who's pitching, who's hitting, where the game's being played. It's a mismatch and I've seen too much of it. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and realize this entire season has been a bad dream. Jose Bautista doesn't really have 30 home runs, and the Orioles' No. 1 starter acquired during the winter meetings, right-hander Kevin Millwood, isn't really 2-10 with a 5.96 ERA. I have no idea who's taking a shower,...
What a relief
What a relief
Josh Land
Nationals
When Jim Riggleman managed the Seattle Mariners in the latter part of 2008, he had a journeyman reliever in the bullpen available for a variety of situations. Whether it was for a spot start, in relief of a starter's early exit or to protect a late inning lead, Riggleman could call on and trust Miguel Batista. Earlier this season, on April 18th, the skipper turned again to his trusted veteran, asking Batista to warm up quickly and save the rest of the bullpen from a 10-run, first inning...
Jays pound O's 8-2 to go 11-0 vs. the Orioles
Jays pound O's 8-2 to go 11-0 vs. the Orioles
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles futility vs. Toronto continued tonight in a 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. The Orioles are now 0-11 on the year vs. Toronto and have been outscored in the season series 65-23 and out-homered 23 to 4. The Orioles fall to 2-10 since the All-Star break and are now 31-69 after 100 games. They have lost 10 in a row and 19 of their last 21 games at Rogers Centre Juan Samuel talks with Gary and Mike about the starters struggles and the O's 8-2 loss Kevin Millwood took the loss and again...
Another mismatch (Britton tonight)
Another mismatch (Britton tonight)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Can you believe there are people, some considered very astute in the baseball industry, that we're picking the Orioles to finish ahead of Toronto this year. It now looks like the O's are on their way to 0-11 vs. the Jays as they trail 6-0 after the fourth. It is like Ground Hog day. An O's starter gives up early runs, meanwhile the opponent starter records quick outs vs. O's hitters who nightly seem to refuse to work the count. At this point, I blame the players and coaching staff. No...
Britton not being considered for this weekend
Britton not being considered for this weekend
Steve Melewski
Orioles
In a brief e-mail exchange with O's president Andy MacPhail, he said Zach Britton is "not" being considered to join the Orioles to start this weekend. So we can rule out any talk of Britton starting in Brad Bergesen's spot on Saturday. But Britton is being considered to join the Orioles later in the season, MacPhail said. Britton, who is scheduled to start for Norfolk tonight, is 1-1, 2.05 in four Triple-A starts since he moved up from Bowie. Over his last 11 starts between Bowie and...
The missing O's
The missing O's
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' lineup is missing Brian Roberts, who's taking a break from the artificial surface at Rogers Centre, and Ty Wigginton, who's serving the final game of his suspension. Roberts is 5-for-10 lifetime against Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero. Wigginton is 5-for-14 with two doubles. Not the best timing. Matt Wieters homered twice last night and Luke Scott also went deep. They're a combined 2-for-19 against Romero, though Scott has homered once off him. In Romero's last start...
Tonight's lineups
Tonight's lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
For the Orioles: 2B Julio Lugo 3B Miguel Tejada RF Nick Markakis DH Luke Scott CF Adam Jones C Matt Wieters LF Felix Pie 1B Jake Fox SS Cesar Izturis RHP Kevin Millwood For the Blue Jays: LF Fred Lewis SS Yunel Escobar RF Jose Bautista CF Vernon Wells DH Adam Lind 2B Aaron Hill 1B Lyle Overbay C John Buck 3B Edwin Encarnacion LHP Ricky Romero Brian Roberts is receiving a scheduled night off.
It's the offense, too
It's the offense, too
Steve Melewski
Orioles
While there has been a lot of focus on the O's struggling starting pitching lately - as there should be - the offense has not been pulling its weight either as the club is 2-9 since the All-Star break. The O's have scored three runs or less in seven of those 11 games and they are 3-51 this year when scoring three runs or less. Over the last six games, the O's are batting just 4 for 42 (.095) with runners in scoring position. After hitting eight homers in four games at Texas before the...
Britton still rolling with the Tides
Britton still rolling with the Tides
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Left-hander Zach Britton is still listed as Triple-A Norfolk's starter for tonight's game at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Speculation has been building that Britton could replace Brad Bergesen in the Orioles' rotation this weekend, though he'd be working on short rest by taking the mound tonight. Bergesen is scheduled to start Saturday in Kansas City. For Britton to take Bergesen's turn, he'd have to treat tonight's start like a side session and leave the game after an inning or two. In his...