The Birds have won two straight after last night’s 1-0 victory over the visiting Red Sox, and are threatening to do that thing called a “winning streak,” that seems so popular among the kids at the AL East table these days. Three would match the team’s longest winning streak of the season, which they did back in April surrounding the Baltimore unrest postponed games.
Last night’s win was a bit of an oddity, as Roch Kubatko points out:
Last night was only the 3rd time since '54 that #orioles won 1-0 via a wild pitch, per Elias. Also 9/26/56 and 9/2/73. Both vs. Yankees
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) June 10, 2015
Onto the links.
Wieters, Davis Among Top Free Agents
SI.com put together their list of the top free agents of the 2015 offseason, and Matty Backstop comes in at number ten. Chris Davis is among the next group.
Looking at the Orioles’ First 11 Draft Selections
The Orioles have drafted a bunch more guys. Chances are, not many of them will ever make it to the major leagues. Still, you should read about them. Orioles Uncensored’s Dillon Atkinson has got you covered.
Three years ago today, Matt Wieters’ walk-off double established a new Orioles record for consecutive extra-inning wins. Man, that 2012 season was something, huh? Matt Taylor of Roar from 34 has a bit more.
Also on this day in O’s history – in 2010, Jake Arrieta debuted, and “The Cavalry” was all here. Here’s a link from my old blog.
Lessons in Bullpen Construction
Unfortunately, the 2015 Orioles have pretty much written a manual on how to NOT construct your bullpen. High-salary, ineffective, late-years-of-arbitration guys are pretty much everywhere you look for the Birds, and that’s not ideal. Steve Damerell of Camden Chat breaks it down like this: the O’s have the most expensive bullpen in the AL East (even without signing Andrew Miller), but one that’s right in the middle as far as quality.
O’s Prospect Banned 72 Games for Positive Test
Some prospect you’ve likely never heard of, playing in a league you’ve likely never heard of (Dominican Summer League) was suspended for 72 games for testing positive for a banned substance.
