Who gets the pill on Saturday?

After a disappointing series loss to the Seattle Mariners, the Orioles continue their west coast trip down to Los Angeles to take on the struggling Angels. As of now the Orioles have Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez slated to pitch games 1 and 2, but as for the starter for game three, it’s a big TBA.

Here is a look at the possible starters…

1. T.J. McFarland

Buck could finally get his way by looking in-house and starting young gun T.J. McFarland. McFarland pitched 1.1 innings of excellent work last night, striking out three and not surrendering a single hit. Some might say that since T.J. pitched last night he won’t be available, but having only thrown a little over an inning of work and hardly being used prior to that, he is certainly an option.

So far this season, McFarland has pitched 12.2 innings with a 2.13 ERA. What is most impressive, especially compared to the rest of the Orioles starters is his 12.1 SO/9 ratio (17 K & 4 BB). T.J. has shown impressive command, and he has the capability to punch out batters. He would face a tough task against a dangerous Angels line-up, but the Halos are struggling, especially against LHP (.248 vs. LHP & .268 vs. RHP).

2. Freddy Garcia

Garcia recently decided to extend his opt out clause to May 14, giving some speculation that he may know something the rest of us don’t. So far in Norfolk, Garcia has been absolutely dominant. He is 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA, and has a 10.5 SO/BB ratio. The O’s have given too many free passes to opposing hitters, and Garcia could offer a remedy to that. He continues to command his pitches, making his pitch while also staying around the plate to keep his walks down.

At this point, as well as Garcia has pitched and considering his veteran experience, Buck has to give him a shot. Especially after he agreed to extend his contract longer so that he may get the opportunity to get called up. Plus, with a depleted bullpen and the struggles of Pedro Strop, the O’s will need T.J. in case of an emergency long inning relief.

3. Jake Arrieta

I can imagine none of you guys wanted to see this, but I still believe in Jake and I’ll tell you why.

First off, sending Jake down to Triple A isn’t going to do him any good. His mechanics and his stuff don’t need any work. It is just the anti-Jake that stands in the way of him being a dominant pitcher at the Major League level, and the only the way for him to work through it is at the Major League level. In his lone start down at Triple A, Jake went 6.0 innings and struck out eight. He dominates at the minor league level – we just need him to translate it to the Majors.

Everyone, I’m sure, has seen Jake’s recent Twitter outburst to the heckling of fans. While some view that negatively, to me it is a man who wants to compete and push himself to the highest level. So when people try to hold him and tell him he is something he isn’t, of course he is going to protect himself. I still believe he should take the high road, but to me he shows persistence and drive.

4. Jair Jurrjens

Jurrjens is the Orioles’ latest project, in hopes to return him to his ex-All Star form. So far down in Virginia, Jurrjens has gone 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA. Those numbers look good so far, but a closer look shows he is a 1.54 SO/BB ratio (20 K & 13 BB).

His command is clearly still shaky, and that was part of the reason the Braves let him go. I believe that Orioles can groom him back to being a solid third man, but injuries have derailed him from being the dominant starter he once was.

Still, I believe that Jurrjens would be able to help fill an immediate need for Saturday’s start, but I do not think he is ready for a permanent place in the rotation. Jair can opt out of his contract on June 15, so I think we should all show some patience and let him get back to form.

5. Steve Johnson (edit – not an option after being optioned earlier this week. Johnson has to stay at Norfolk for 10 days)

I am about as ready as you are to see Stevie back on the hill, but I still think he needs a couple more rehab starts under his belt. Last year, Steve went 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA, and looked absolutely fantastic. I did not believe he would make it in the starting five of the rotation out of Sarasota, but I was certainly cheering for him.

Everybody loves a hometown boy, but an early Spring injury set Johnson back a few weeks. Since recovering, Steve has thrown two games at Norfolk and is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA. Though he was much better in his second start (5 2/3, 4 H, 8 K, 2 BB), he most likely needs a little bit more time to get back into the groove of things and heal up.

6. Kevin Gausman

Stop.

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