Should we get excited about the pitching?

by duck on Mar 8, 2006 6:44 PM EST

THree starts that I know of by O's picthers in the WBC - Lopez, Bedard and Loewen - and three pretty good results. Does it mean anything?

I want the O's to do well this year. I've changed my cell phone screen to teh O's logo on spring training Opening Day, like I do every year. I WANT to believe we can be competitive. But I ask - is third place in the AL East too much to expect? MAYBE the pitching will be better than we think. MAYBE Chris Ray really is ready to close. MAYBE Javy Lopez won't be an unmitigated disaster at 1B. MAYBE Brian Roberts really can hit again like he did last year. MAYBE Miggy finds his smile and plays like Miggy for a whole season.

Maybe. Right?

Poll

Am I delusional to think the O's can finish 3rd?

0 - Yup, tie him down and start the Thorazine

4 votes

1 - Probably, but it's the only way to get through the season

11 votes

2 - Maybe. But crazier things have happened, like last year's White Sox

22 votes

3 - Probably not. Chris Ray really is pretty good...

9 votes

4 - No way! O's win the pennant! O's win the pennant!

5 votes

51 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Excitement

I find it a good rule of thumb to try and never get too excited or optimistic over anything regarding the Orioles. Sometimes I'm more succesful at it than other times but I just have always found baseball to be such a jinxable sport...especially when you're an Orioles fan.

However this WBC is great in that it is giving 4 guys in our rotation plus Loewen the opportunity of feeling what it's like to be involved in big games. The kind of big games that have been sorely missing from the Orioles organization for quite some time. The good news is that 3 of our starters and Loewen have handled themselves pretty well thus far.

by Jonnypops on Mar 8, 2006 9:40 PM EST reply actions

Its kinda funny

The past few years everyone has been asking about where will the birds find pitching and now they're asking where will they find the hitting.

by O face on Mar 9, 2006 7:42 AM EST reply actions

re:

A bunch of guys pitching a few decent innings isn't getting me worked up, no. Particularly Loewen who was lucky more than anything.

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by Scott Christ on Mar 9, 2006 12:31 PM EST reply actions

Come on SC

LOEWEN THE NEXT BIGGG THING. Bedards gonna have his big year Danny too, Lopez is gonna be solid (3.50 ERA) Chens gonna be great (3.20 ERA) tons of innings Rays the next Houston Street WOOO

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow" Earl Weaver

by Larry Bigbie3 on Mar 9, 2006 5:44 PM EST reply actions

Yup, can't wait to see what they will do...

I don't put too much credit into what was done in a few innings, but I do think that this rotation can and will be pretty good. They were right around average last year (fell off somewhat at the end of the year), and I think they should be much improved.

Essentially our rotation is the same as last year except we are replacing Penn/Ponson with Benson. No matter what you think of Benson; I think everyone will agree he has to be better than that combo. In addition, Cabrera, Bedard, and Chen are all a year older and haven't hit the prime years for pitchers yet. Even if Mazzone gives us nothing more than Miller; I think this rotation should be better than the league average.

That being said, I'm sure the Orioles will disappoint me as usual and end up with a team ERA over 5.

by BirdFanInPhilly on Mar 10, 2006 3:04 PM EST reply actions

holy crap

i just saw cabrera mow down the first 3 guys tonight, 2 strikeouts. 97, 98 mph and he didn't even bother with a curve with the first two guys, he waited for 2 strikes on abreu and then then completely fooled him with the hook. awesome.

by joet on Mar 14, 2006 7:21 PM EST reply actions

Hoooooo-weeeeeee!

Daniel Cabrera pitched 4 no-hit innings with 7 strikeouts and 1 BB versus Venezuela. Wow-wah-wee-wah!

by Jonnypops on Mar 14, 2006 10:28 PM EST reply actions

Speaking of Pitching

Prior is now reporting shoulder soreness: Prior to have shoulder examined. We don't know how bad this is, but I always supected the Cubs were trying to pawn off damaged good for Tejada. I guess the way things look now, I'll take my chances with Tejada and the pitching staff we have.

BTW, Johnny Damon is also reporting shoulder injuries.

"I'd love to see the team be much better." Peter Angelos

by drj on Mar 15, 2006 9:03 AM EST reply actions

Prior

The Chicago Sun is reporting he's hurt and being shut down. This is exactly why a lot people (including myself) were nervious about the Prior trade despite the qualifications from Cubbie fans that his injuries were freak incidents.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/sports/cst-spt-cub15.html

by birdman on Mar 15, 2006 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

looking good so far

But I'm trying to be realistic. Spring traing games and WBC games are different from regular season. A lot of the hitting has been off in the WBC and spring training games are just warm ups. But everyone has look good. I think Benson needs a little more time to adapt to the AL and learning new pitches. Cabrera though should have a great year.

by tonytarasco on Mar 15, 2006 2:03 PM EST reply actions