This is a weekly column that dives into some random thoughts about the Orioles/MLB. I used to do eight as a nod to Cal Ripken Jr. This year, I’ll be cutting it down to four or five, so consider it the Earl Weaver–Brooks Robinson era of Thursday Thoughts. – A.S.
1. A friend sent me a text message last night, immediately after the Orioles took a 9-0 lead in Boston. It read, “Bundy loses, Ubaldo wins in Boston. What do we know about the Orioles? Nothing.”
I chuckled at the notion that my pal was handing Ubaldo Jimenez a victory with a 9-0 lead, having only seen him throw two innings to that point. Sure enough, it wasn’t Jimenez that got the “win” after allowing five runs in 4.1 innings.
Mychal Givens mopped things up for Jimenez and improved to 2-0.
What baffled me even more than my friend’s assumption that Jimenez wouldn’t “Ubaldo” it up, was this notion of getting the “win.” I honestly thought we were over that stat. I thought fans didn’t really care, I thought broadcasters didn’t care, and I surely hoped Buck Showalter didn’t care.
I found it strange, however, that as he struggled through the fifth inning last night at Fenway Park, Jimenez remained on the mound while Showalter sat in the dugout. Eventually, after his starter loaded the bases, the skipper made his way out to the hill. Gary Thorne and Jim Palmer on the MASN broadcast continually talked about the notion that Jimenez was trying to get through that fifth inning to qualify for the win.
Meanwhile as I watched, all I could think about was the fact that the O’s were a swing away from having to worry about a team win.
There’s no question that the starting pitching (minus Bundy) has been the largest concern in this early part of the season. It’s a small sample size, but it’s a worry. The bullpen can’t continue to pull mop up duty, especially when the offense is clicking. Not only does it wear on the relievers, it makes for four-hour games which are no fun for anyone.
2. One thing that could, and I emphasize the word “could,” help some of the O’s rotation troubles is the return of Chris Tillman. That’s on track now as he’s set for his first rehab start Monday at Bowie. Tillman hasn’t felt any discomfort in his shoulder after throwing a bullpen session and making a start in extended spring training.
The fact that the Orioles now have a plan for Tillman, scheduling him tentatively for an outing with Frederick after Monday’s start at Bowie, means he’s on the right track. He still has to clear the hurdles before rejoining the big club in early May, but there could at least be light at the end of the tunnel.
The biggest trick is going to be making sure he returns to the rotation and is actually good. Thus far, the Orioles have two good starts through their first seven games, and they both came from Bundy. That’s not a very good percentage.
Having Tillman come back and contribute while also seeing improvement out of Kevin Gausman is going to be key to righting the ship that is this rotation.
3. There was quite a bit of outrage in the Twittersphere after the announcement of yesterday’s lineup. Everyone assumed, as did I, that with right-hander Steven Wright on the mound, left-handers Hyun-Soo Kim and Seth Smith would man the corner outfield spots. Instead, it was Trey Mancini starting over Kim in left field. It’s the third straight game Kim has sat on the bench with lefties on the mound for the previous two.
You can likely count on Kim sitting once again tonight as lefty J.A. Happ takes the bump for Toronto.
During the offseason, we heard Kim should expect a bigger role, but that also came before players like Smith, Mancini and Craig Gentry emerged as options in the corner outfield. With all that went into Kim’s rough start with the O’s last season, it would be nice to see him receive more opportunities to play.
It’s getting frustrating to see him sit, knowing that he has great capability to get on base. I’d at least like to see a bit of the “sink or swim” mentality take place over the next few weeks.
4. I’m already sick of “flu-gate” or whatever we are calling the latest spat between Buck Showalter and opponents. Showalter can claim he’s not taking a dig at the Red Sox with his recent comments about Boston’s flu outbreak, but I’m not going to believe it.
And guess what? That’s fine. I honestly have never minded Showalter taking those slight digs at other teams. He does it all the time when it comes to the Red Sox and Yankees about playing in big markets. The fact that Boston manager John Farrell said the comments didn’t surprise him should tell you all you need to know.
I don’t think Showalter was being malicious with his words, I think he was just pointing out that the Red Sox, like any other team, aren’t going to make excuses. The Orioles certainly aren’t going to be the team that counts a win over a depleted team as anything less than a victory.
During his time in Baltimore, Showalter has (whether he realizes it or not) taken on the mindset of the city in some ways. Baltimore is always that underdog that is overlooked. It’s just a stop between New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Showalter loves to play that up with his team. No one ever picks them to contend, and all the attention goes to Boston and New York within the AL East.
That’s all this is. That’s all it ever is.
Manny Machado in front of sign at spring training 2015.” width=”728″ height=”485″ />
5. Manny Machado isn’t off to the quickest start with his bat this season (.200/.310/.400 with 1 HR), but he sure did do some work with his words this week. Speaking to the “New York Post” while the Yankees were in Baltimore, Machado addressed the elephant in the room by discussing his impending free agency at the end of 2018.
Machado’s comments seemed to imply that he was totally open to the idea of joining the (gulp) Yankees for 2019, perhaps even bringing Bryce Harper along with him.
I’m not freaking out about all of this just yet. At least that’s what I’m continually telling myself as I cry myself to sleep each night. The Machado-Harper free agencies are going to be the hottest topic in all of baseball over the next 18 months, so they might as well be discussed. You’re going to grow tired of hearing about it, if you aren’t already.
It’s important to know though, that the Yankees aren’t going to be the only possible destination for Machado. Matt Gelb of the “Philadelphia Inquirer” joined ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” podcast with Buster Olney this week and seemed to think Machado was ripe to join the Phillies in 2019. There are also many that believe Machado could return “home” to Miami and play for the Marlins.
Until he signs on the dotted line elsewhere, I’ll believe Machado is with the Orioles. Call that foolish, tell me I have blinders on, whatever you want to do. I refuse to live the next 18 months fearing where Machado may go next rather than enjoying and embracing that he’s in Baltimore during that time.
