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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles (8/24-8/26)

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Current Match-Up

The Orioles come off a road trip against the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers where they split the six games. It was overall a solid result for what was mostly likely one of the hardest road trips for the O’s this year. They find themselves winners of six of their last ten and tied for the 2nd wildcard spot.

While the Orioles are alive and well in the playoff hunt the same cannot be said for their opponent this weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays have lost five straight games and are just 2-8 in their last ten games. At 25-38 the Blue Jays have the second worst road record in all of MLB.

Friday Aug. 24 7:05pm TOR Villanueva (6-3) vs BAL Britton (2-1)

Saturday Aug. 25 7:05pm TOR Morrow (7-4) vs BAL Chen (12-7)

Sunday Aug. 26 1:35pm TOR Romero (8-11) vs BAL Gonzalez (5-2)

Strike Early & Often

The Blue Jays have one role the remainder of the year:  spoiler. They thing about a spoiler if you let them hang out they believe they belong (see: 2nd half of 2011Baltimore Orioles). The Orioles need to remind them they don’t belong on the same field. You can do that by jumping on them early.

Moooossseeee

This has nothing to do with the Orioles/Blue Jays series but a worth noting about the weekend.  Former Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina will be inducted into the Orioles HOF on Saturday. The ceremony gets underway at 6:30… I point this out only because Mussina was my favorite Oriole.

In his 10 years with the Orioles Mussina was: 147-81 with a 3.53 ERA. He was a five time all-star and four time gold glove award recipient.

Previous Match-Ups

The Orioles have won five of the nine meetings between the two clubs this year. The O‘s and Jays have taken turns sweeping each other this year. With Toronto winning last three against O’s at home. 

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Baltimore Orioles @ Texas Rangers (8/20-8/22)

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Current Match-Up

The Orioles head down to Arlington going 5-0-1 in their last six series. If they want to extend it to seven straight series they are going to have to defeat the offensive juggernaut that is the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are leading the AL West and have won two straight. However, they have gone just 5-5 in their last 10 games.

Mon. Aug 20 8:05 pm BAL Gonzalez (5-2) vs TEX Dempster (6-6)

Tues. Aug 21 8:05 pm BAL Tillman (5-2) vs  TEX Feldman (6-8)

Wed. Aug 22 8:05 pm BAL  Hunter (4-7)  vs  TEX Holland (7-6)

You Can’t Stop Them, You Can only Hope to Contain Them

The Texas Rangers are 1st in runs (607), batting average (.276) and on base percentage (.340). To think the Orioles pitching staff is going to be able to shut them down is asinine. In the first series the Rangers scored 14, 10, 5, 7. If this Orioles team plans to leave Texas with a series win they need to keep it close. In the first series they let games get away from them early. If they can keep the game within striking distance this Orioles team has shown an unique ability to rise to the occasion. 

Also, not letting Hamilton hit 4 HRs in a game would be nice too…

Missing the Best

Looks like the Orioles have a bit of luck on their side. The Orioles in this series will manage to avoid Yu Darvish (12-9, 4.51) and Matt Harrison (14-7, 3.19 ERA).

Previous Match-Up

In the only other previous match-up the Rangers took 3 out of 4. In two of those games the Rangers put up double digit runs and won by more than seven runs in each of those outings.

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Orioles News and Notes (8/17/2012)

Orioles News and Notes from the last week or so…

1. Things are looking up for the boys from Baltimore

a. The Orioles are currently 10 games over .500 at 64-54. 

b. They are tied for the lead in the AL Wild Card race. 

c. The Orioles have won or split their last 5 series.

d. They are 7-3 over their last 10 games.

2. Manny Machado was named Co-AL Player of the Week (July 6th –July 12th). Machado went 6-16 (.375), 7 RBI, 5R, 3HRs, 3B, 2B. 

a. Wilkes’ Take: Not bad for your first week in the majors. In fact it wasn’t even a full week it was four games. While the bat has been nice the glove at third has been even more impressive. He has great range, and is a major upgrade defensively over Wilson Betemit.

3. Brian Matusz will be working as relief pitcher while down at Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles believe Matusz’s ability to get lefties out could make him a perfect fit in the pen.  Matusz is said to be excited about the opportunity. 

a. Wilkes’ Take: Of course Matusz is excited because he currently has zero chance being a meaningful starter for this team. Right now becoming a lefty specialist might be his only hope in salvaging a fledging pitching career

4. LHP Troy Patton was placed on the 15 day DL with a right ankle sprain. According to Brittany Ghiroli from MLB.com Troy’s injury occurred in the parking garage of his Baltimore apartment last Sunday.

a. Wilkes’ Take: Patton will be sorely missed. Patton on the year had a 2.58 ERA with 48Ks and 1.03 WHIP. I’m confident that Patton will be back 100% healthy in 15 days and ready for the stretch run

5. Patton being the only lefty in the Orioles forced them to make a move. So the Orioles traded Triple-A infielder Carlos Rojas to Cleveland for 36 year old LHP J.C. Romero.  If the name sounds familiar to Orioles fans is should because Romero was just released by the O’s in July following a brief stint (17 games)  in Triple-A 

a. Wilkes’ Take: I don’t have a lot of faith in J.C. Romero. He’s a below average pitcher but he’ll due for the immediate future.  Get Healthy Soon Troy!

6. Wilson Betemit was placed on the 15 DL with cartilage tear and a bone bruise in his right wrist

a. The Orioles called up 1B Joe Mahoney from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Betemit on active roster. 

7. Oh and the Orioles Run Differential is -44. 

a. Wilkes’ Take: SUCK ON THAT PYTHSGOREAN THEOREM!!!

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This picture has been making the rounds. It's too good to not post...

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Happy 82nd Birthday to Hall of Famer and Oriole Legend Earl Weaver. By far my favorite Earl moment...

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Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals (8/9-8/12)

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Current Match-Up

There isn’t a hotter team in MLB than the Baltimore Orioles. They’ve won five straight and eight out of their last ten. They find themselves tied for first in the AL Wild Card and are only 4.5 games behind the New York Yankees for AL East division lead. While the Orioles have their sights set on the playoffs the Royals just want their season to end. The Royals are 16 games under .500 but have won six out of their last ten, and are riding a two game winning streak.

Thu. Aug 9 7:05 pm BAL Chen (10-6) vs KC Smith (2-4)

Fri. Aug 10 7:05 pm BAL Gonzalez (3-2) vs  KC  Hochevar (7-9)

Sat. Aug 11 7:05 pm BAL  Tillman (5-1) vs  KC  Mendoza (5-8)

Sun. Aug 12 1:35 pm BAL  Hunter (4-7) vs  KC  Chen (8-9)

  Baltimore, Mannyland

I borrowed that from @ProtectThisYard. Camden Yards is going to be electric this series with the call-up of SS/3B Manny Machado from Double-A Bowie. The Orioles 1ST round pick (#3 overall) in 2010 left Bowie on a nine game hitting streak. During the streak he went 16 for 33, 3 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 3HRs, and 7 RBI. So needless to say his swinging a hot bat. He’ll play 3rd as Wilson Betemit has been less the satisfactory defensively on the “Hot Corner”

Keep The Streaks Going

The Orioles have won five straight games, and three straight series.

The Orioles have five separate five game winning streaks this season.

Previous Match-Up(s)

The Orioles and Royals have faced each other five times with the Orioles winning three of them. However, the Royals have won the last two games.

Four of the five previous games have been decided by two runs or less…

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THE FUTURE IS NOW!!!

The Orioles have purchased the contract of 2010 1st round pick (#3 overall)  SS/3B Manny Machado. He will make his MLB Debut tonight at Camden Yards vs the Kansas City Royals.

According to MASN's Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) Machado will leave AA Bowie on a nine game hitting streak. During the streak he went 16 for 33, 3 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 3HRs, and 7 RBI.

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Orioles News and Notes (8/8/2012)

Orioles had a busy 24 hours. Here are some roster moves made since last nights 8-7 win.  

1.       Orioles have optioned SP Zach Britton to Triple-A Norfolk after another poor outing

2.       Wednesday’s scheduled starter Tommy Hunter will move to the bullpen. After last night’s 14 innings game the bullpen is overworked, and Hunter has relief pitching experience.

3.       In replace of Hunter the Orioles called RHP Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk. This is Johnson 1st career start.

a.       Johnson is the son of former Orioles pitcher Dave Johnson. Dave Johnson actually picked up his first career win on August 8th (weird).

4.       Ryan Flaherty was placed on the 15 DL with a bacterial infection, retroactive to Aug. 2

5.       RHP Miguel Socolovich was called up from Triple-A Norfolk to provide some bullpen depth.

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Baltimore Orioles vs. Seattle Mariners (8/6-8/8)

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Current Match-Up

The Baltimore Orioles (57-51) find themselves 6.5 games out of first in the AL East, but just one game out in the Wild Card race. The Orioles faced a nine game stretch that included the Athletics, Yankees, and Rays. They walked away 5-4 and very much alive for a playoff spot. On paper it appears that it’s going to get easier for the Orioles as the Seattle Mariners (51-59) comes to town for three game set.    

However, don’t let their record fool you the Mariners aren’t playing like a last place team. They have won eight of their last ten, and just recently had a seven game winning streak.

Mon. Aug 6 7:05 pm BAL Tillman (4-1) vs SEA Vargas  (12-7)

Tues. Aug 7 7:05 pm BAL Britton (1-1) vs  SEA  Beavan (7-6)

Wed. Aug 8 7:05 pm BAL  Hunter (4-6)  vs  SEA  Millwood (4-9)

If They Don’t Score, You Can’t Lose

The Orioles haven’t given up a run in 21 innings, and have only given up two runs over the last 30 innings. Well “on paper” it only gets easier. The Mariners are 23rd in runs, 28th in BA, 30th in OBP, and 30th in slugging.  With the bats struggling it appears as it’ll be up to the Orioles arms to carry this team.

Previous Match-Up

In their only other match-up of the season the Orioles took two of three from the Mariners in early July. The Orioles had a lead in the seventh inning in every game. 

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AL East & AL Wild Card Standings as of 8/6/2012

Here are the AL East Standings and AL Wild Card Standings as of 8/6/2012. Still trying to get use to the Orioles being in the race this late... 

(standings via ESPN.com)

AL East Standings

AL Wild Card Standings

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Baltimore Orioles @ Tampa Bay Rays (8/2-8/4)

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Current Match-Up

The Baltimore Orioles (55-50) let everyone know that they are serious threat by taking two out of three from the AL East leading Yankees. Well if the Orioles can take another huge step when they travel down south to take on the Tampa Bay Rays (55-50). The Rays have won three straight series and are the only team in the AL East with an above .500 record over their last ten games.

Fri. Aug 3 7:10 pm BAL Hunter (4-6) @ TB Moore (7-4)

Sat. Aug 4 7:10 pm BAL Chen (9-6) @ TB Hellickson (6-8)

Sun. Aug 5 1:40 pm BAL Gonzalez (3-2) @ TB Price (3-2)

Avoid the Big Inning

In the last two games the Orioles have given up five runs and seven runs respectively in a single inning. It took a miracle seven run inning on Tuesday to erase the five run deficit. On Wednesday it was too much and the Orioles found themselves down 11-1 after the third inning, and would go on to lose 12-3.

Markakis Takes the Lead

Since coming off the DL, and taking over the leadoff spot Nick Markakis is batting .368 (32 for 87). In those 20 games Markakis has gone hitless only three times, and has struck out just once.

Previous Match-Up

If it seems like the Orioles and Rays just squared off it’s because they did. In fact it was just over a week ago when Tampa took two out of three in Camden Yards. In the Orioles two losses they managed just two runs on just ten hits. 

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Everyone make sure you go to http://www.ballhogsradio.com/2012/07/31/podcast-orioles-uncensored-07-30-12/ to check out the first Orioles Uncensored podcast. All of our podcast will be hosted on www.ballhogsradio.com as we are an offical member of the Ball Hogs Radio Network. Here are the segments we covered:

Seg1: Looking Back at the Week That Was. How bad did the 14-9 loss to Oakland hurt.

Seg2: The Orioles Moves (or lack there of) at the Trade Deadline

Seg3: Looking ahead at what’s in store in the upcoming week for the Orioles. What is a good record for these next six away games (3 at NYY; 3 at TB)

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Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees (7/30-8/1)

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Current Match-Up:

After dropping two out of three to the Oakland Athletics the Baltimore Orioles (53-49) are traveling to the Bronx to take on the AL East leading New York Yankees (60-41). Though The Yankees have a 7.5 game lead they are just 3-7 over their last 10 games including dropping two straight to the Boston Red Sox. 

Mon. July 30 7:05 pm BAL Gonzalez (2-2) @ NYY Garcia (7-4)

Tue. July 31 7:05 pm BAL Tillman (4-5) @ NYYNova (6-8)

Wed. Aug. 1 1:05 pm BAL Britton (1-0) @ NYY Hughes (10-8) 

Previous Match-Ups

On the year the Orioles and Yankees have squared off eight times with the Yankees being victorious in five of those match-ups. However, the Orioles have take three of the last four and have outscored the Yankees 22-11 over that stretch.

Run Differential Is Overrated Anyways

The Baltimore Orioles are the only team in MLB with a winning record and a negative run differential. As of July 30th the Orioles have a -58 RD. In comparison the Yankees are +84. That's a difference of 142 runs.

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Oakland Athletics vs. Baltimore Orioles (7/27-7/29)

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Current Match-Up:

In what could be the most important series of the year the Baltimore Orioles (52-47) will host the Oakland Athletics (53-45) for a three game series starting tonight. The Orioles currently trail the Athletics by 1.5 in the Wild Card race.

Fri. July 27 7:05 pm BAL Britton (1-0) vs. OAK Parker (7-4)

Sat. July 28 7:05 pm BAL Hunter (4-5) vs. OAK Colon (6-8)

Sun. July 29 1:35 pm BAL Chen (8-6) vs. OAK Blackley (3-2) 

Steaks:

While the Orioles just snapped a 3 game losing streak the Athletics just saw their 7 game winning streak come to an end.

Previous Match-Ups:

The Orioles took 2 out of 3 against the Athletics in late April. While this is a different Athletics team here's hoping for the same result

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ORIOLES BAD STATS: Matt Wieters Edition

As of the 4th inning on July 26th: Matt Wieters is 0 for his last 14 and 1 for his last 30. He's struck out 11 times in his last 18ABs. He's struckout at least twice in the last 5 games 

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Thats right JJ ... 5 IN A ROW! #BreakUpTheBirds

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Cal and Eddie celebrating the 1983 World Series...