Yesterday was the epitome of average, as I played all 15 games on the board on the eve of today's interleague fiasco. The end result was 7 wins, 6 losses and 2 pushes turning a break-even scenario for myself. Today, we go to the bottom of the AL East and breakdown a very talented Baltimore Orioles team with a terrible record, an injured spark plug and some pitching issues- most notably in the bullpen.
Baltimore Orioles
--Bats--
Torch: IF Ty Wigginton
Dead Battery: 1B Garret Atkins
--Arms--
Live: Jeremy Guthrie
Dead: David Hernandez
This Baltimore team was projected to finish ahead of the Blue Jays in the AL East for 4th place in the division to start the year--not likely. Everyone seemed convinced that by following the Tampa Bay Rays blueprint of building their roster within the farm system, this was the year the Orioles begin to turn around their fortunes. Baltimore has tried to emulate what the Rays have done and although the results have not been impressive in the win column, they have some incredible young talent in their lineup and pitching rotation, and the continuity of playing with each other while coming up in the minor leagues. Starting 2B Brian Roberts has been shelved since pretty much the start of the season and that has hurt tremendously-in a sense I would estimate that particular setback has probably cost the Orioles maybe 7 or 8 wins. It has also forced them to shuffle around an aging infield with Tejada at 3rd base, and bringing in "well travelled" infielders Izturis and Lugo to fill in. Needless to say, the speed in the infield is pathetic, but Ty Wigginton is on a homerun tear this year knocking out 12 already (leading the AL) and hitting for average in what looks to be a career year unless he settles back into his normalcies. Garett Atkins has been a disappointment although not being used as an everyday player. A career .286 hitter who knocks about 20-25 HR's a year has none so far this year and is batting around .220. Based on his mediocre year with the Rockies in 09', he MAY be in the midst of a decline and could turn out to be a bust pick up for the Orioles. Adam Jones and Nick Markaikis are both top tier outfielders, although Jones hasn't really found it yet this year (granted, still early). That Orioles lineup has some powerful weapons but they lack consistent pitching-mostly in the bullpen where Baltimore leads go to die in the late innings. Brad Bergesen started terrible, but was injured in the spring and it looks like the last 3 games he has found his form, and is starting to re-earn my trust. Guthrie has always been consisently good in terms of quality starts and eating up innings but he is a hard luck pitcher being the ace of that staff that usually ends up in a duel with the other teams #1 and #2 starters. Playing in the A.L East that usually entails the likes of C.C Sabathia/A.J Burnett etc...and with the bull(sh**)pen backing him up, he's not going to win many of those unfortunately. Brian Matusz has been good so far this season, aside from a couple of bad starts and it would look like this prospect has a tall ceiling and could eventually be their ace/shutdown left-hander. Aside from the record, vet Kevin Millwood was a nice pick up for the Orioles (typical 3.65 ERA), and if the lineup could support him a bit more, the 0-4 record he boasts this year could look more respectable. Again, he is a #1 or #2 in the rotation so he counters other aces, who may have more of a pitching advantage than he does on most days. The fall-guy so far in the rotation is prospect David Hernandez who can't seem to get it together for an entire outing. A good start would be crucial for him in the near future, or manager Trembley might try to search for gold in his farm system. He takes the ball tonight vs. the in-state rival Washington Nationals as interleague play begins. This Orioles team can score, but the lack of speed in the infield, and also on the basepaths (until Roberts gets back) is hurting them. If they can get 1 or 2 clutch additions to their pen, and Roberts on the field at 100% they can make a surge towards the .500 mark and spoil some American League playoff aspirations for serious contenders.
The Board:
(Bronson Arroyo & Jake Westbrook must start) CLE Indians+1.0 @ -140
(T Lilly & Colby Lewis must start) CHI Cubs+1.0 @ -120
(R Nolasco & Mark Buehrle must start) FLA Marlins0.0 @ -103
(J Lackey & Cole Hamels must start) PHI Phillies-1.0 @ -120
(J Hammel & B Bannister must start) KC Royals+1.0 @ -133
(M Garza & Brett Myers must start) HOU Astros+2.0 @ -160
(Javier Vazquez & Hisanori Takahashi must start) NY Mets+2.0 @ -165
(J Pineiro & B Penny must start) LA Angels+1.0 @ -120
(B Morrow & D Haren must start) ARI Diamondbacks-1.0 @ -140
(W Leblanc & C Lee must start) SEA Mariners-1.0 @ -145
(T Hudson & R Ohlendorf must start) ATL Braves-1.0 @ -140
(D Willis & Chad Billingsley must start) LA Dodgers-1.0 @ -150
(D Hernandez & S Olsen must start) BAL Orioles+1.0 @ -115
(D Bush & Nick Blackburn must start) MIN Twins-1.0 @ -155
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