This is a weekly column that dives into eight random thoughts about the Orioles/MLB. Why eight? It’s a nod to Cal Ripken Jr. of course. That, and doing 2,632 of these would be a little overboard. – A.S.
1. To say that losing Chris Tillman to injury will hurt the Orioles is a massive understatement. I’ve read a lot over the last few days about how this will completely kill the O’s playoff chances, and while it may hamper them dearly, they aren’t dead in the water just yet.
The Orioles are hovering right around the .500 mark in games that Tillman doesn’t start this year, which tells you how good they’ve been when he does. It was quite obvious when he returned to action last weekend after some down time that things still weren’t quite right. My only hope is that this shoulder ailment doesn’t linger too deep into September.
The O’s will need to get him back for the final few weeks to have a chance.
2. Tillman’s injury is a double-edged sword because not only is their best starter going down, but now Ubaldo Jimenez gets to pitch. When asked what this means for Jimenez going forward, Buck Showalter wouldn’t commit to him making another start beyond tonight.
But is that really how this is going down? Isn’t Jimenez now in rotation? Otherwise, what options do the O’s have? Showalter himself responded “as opposed to who?” when asked about Jimenez getting tonight’s start.
There isn’t another clear option, so get used to this ride at least for a few weeks. And hold on tight.
3. The absence of Tillman will only put more strain on the rest of the rotation, but also on a bullpen that is having its limits tested. This is why September can’t come soon enough. The Orioles will need to use 40-man roster call-ups to help ease the burden of the bullpen.
None of the players that will make the trek to Baltimore from the minors are going to be significant names, but they can all pitch in and help pull the weight that has been carried by Brad Brach and Mychal Givens for so long.
The Orioles are looking for the right mix in the bullpen, but they really have to begin shortening up their starters and relying on those minor league arms once September rolls around.
4. I have some minor concerns about whether or not Dylan Bundy will keep up his amazing run as a starter. We all know there are innings concerns on Bundy’s arm. He’s never dealt with this much of a work load at this high of a level.
Now, over the last few starts, Bundy’s average velocity is down. I don’t know if it’s a sure sign that he’s starting to show wear, but it’s something the Orioles need to be cautious about. Bundy has obviously been a rock star since joining the rotation. He’s going to be a crucial part of this stretch run for the Birds, no matter how it turns out.
But the O’s have to be careful to not push too hard and risk his future.
5. Wade Miley has been exactly what we thought Wade Miley would be since he was acquired at the deadline from the Seattle Mariners. Anyone who got really excited about the Miley deal was kidding themselves.
I also think it’s clear that if Miley didn’t throw with the opposite hand as the rest of the starters, he would still be in Seattle. That’s the only appeal to the Orioles.
What’s more is that they are going to be paying this guy next year to be a left-handed version of Ubaldo Jimenez.
6. I like when the Orioles play the Nationals. The games are fun, and not just because the O’s tend to win many of them. It’s not that there’s a big “rivalry” between the two teams, but the fact that they are in such close proximity and even share a network does matter. Not to mention there’s plenty of drama off the field there too.
But let’s not pretend like it’s not cool to get four games against the same National League opponent each year. It just feels right. There are many teams that don’t get a natural “rival” from the other league to play against. Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Seattle and Atlanta are just a few that come to mind.
None of these teams get a chance to have “bragging rights” games. I embrace them.
7. While there’s no real rivalry between the O’s and Nats, it’s also important to not try and manufacture one. I’ve seen this all too often over the last decade or so. The latest example was yesterday in the Washington Post. Any rivalry, even as tepid as the one between Baltimore and DC, needs to happen organically.
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There’s enough wood on the fire between these two Beltway teams. There are great players, successful results and even off-field drama which I previously mentioned. All of these things work on their own. There’s no reason for fake gasoline to be thrown on top.
8. It’s no secret that from here on out, every game is extremely important to the Orioles. But they are reaching an especially crucial part of the schedule over the next few weeks. This weekend it’s the somehow-still-in-it Yankees, followed by the very-much-in-it Blue Jays and then the Yankees again.
Aside from some games mixed in against the Rays, the Orioles opponents over the next few weeks are the same teams they are competing directly with for playoff position. They’ll also face the Tigers in mid-September, who are very much in the Wild Card picture. Boston remains a prominent part of the schedule as well.
It’s tough that the Orioles will have such a difficult schedule down the stretch, but the positive is that they will be able to prove themselves against the very competition that is trying to bounce them. Having so many games against other teams in contention means a better chance to make headway en route to the postseason.
photos: Craig Landefeld/GulfBird Photo
