Everybody dragging this morning? If our poll is any indication, about half of you likely are, while the other half went to bed thinking that a 10-run lead was safe. It was…but barely.
How do you adjust for West Coast games? (Fav for "I don't adjust, I'm just miserable for the whole trip."
— Eutaw Street Report (@EutawStReport) June 28, 2016
The pesky Padres, who stole a game from the O’s by beating up on the bullpen last week in Baltimore, nearly did the same thing last night. Fortunately, the good guys prevailed. One more game there (this afternoon at 3:40 EST), then off to Seattle.
To the links.
Cold Takes: Baltimore’s Annual Surprise Party
This just in: nerds still don’t understand how the Orioles are good. Patrick Dubuque of Baseball Prospectus tries to explain why projection systems and “smart” analysts can always end up being wrong about the O’s. Basically, there’s no narrative to easily apply to the Orioles, such as “they have great international scouting,” or “they have a unique approach to [X].” Dan Duquette doesn’t appear to have any special strategy, which apparently confuses computers. Snark aside, this is a good article on a great site where articles aren’t always free – check it out.
O’Day’s Bullpen Session Not as Good As Hoped
This may not be “bad” news per se, but it’s certainly not good. O’Day’s hammy seems to be taking longer than expected to heal. The Birds could use Darren back – the “other” guys in the bullpen were on full display last night, as an 11-1 lead somehow turned into Zach Britton needing to warm up in the ninth inning. Every day O’Day remains on the shelf increases the chances of one a guy like Oliver Drake or T.J. McFarland needing to pitch in a close game. Still, Darren will likely make sure it’s 100% before he rejoins the team, so as to avoid another injury down the stretch, a la 2014.
Jonathan Schoop is Breaking OBP
Speaking of Orioles doing things that nerds don’t like, Jonathan Schoop has a decent OBP despite walking like, never. Elie Waitzer of Camden Depot is here to throw some cold water on our celebration of Jonny Beisbol, who is now hitting .298.
Road-Heavy Schedule Presents Challenges, Opportunities for Orioles
A month or so ago, the O’s had played the fewest home games in baseball. Now, they’ve played the most. Over at Camden Chat, Bill Duck uses a bunch of math to say that the O’s can’t possibly sustain their incredible home winning percentage on one hand, but on the other, they should be able to pick things up on the road to even things out a bit. Here’s hopin’.
Birds on the Verge of Some Longball History
That’s more than enough fancy stats for today, wouldn’t you agree? Let’s talk about a much simpler number: home run count. The Birds could very well make some history here over the next two games, and as Dillon Atkinson points out over at MASN, they would’ve already made it if not for some spectacular opposing defense. Will the homer party continue today and tomorrow? I’d like to think so, but we’ll see.
And in Ravens news…
Most Agonizing Ravens Games Since 2008 – 15 thru 11
RSR’s Tyler Lombardi is compiling the most yank-your-hair-out Ravens games of the John Harbaugh era because…he’s a glutton for punishment? I dunno, but I just took at look at numbers 15-11 at the above link, and now I need to go watch some more O’s highlights. Can’t wait for the rest of the list…like I can’t wait to go to the dentist in a few days.
