Upcoming Litmus Test

Orioles will be tested in the two weeks ahead.

   The next 10 games will be a great test to see if the Orioles have truly progressed as a team, particularly with timely hitting and solid pitching. The team has the opportunity to close out an already locked up three game series against the Nationals tomorrow, Sunday, afternoon. This will be the first test, can they win yet another Sunday afternoon game after already taking the series. Personally, I believe David Hernandez will, well he should, have a chip on his shoulder throughout this upcoming recall stint. He has something to prove and an opportunity to show he belongs.

   That being said, the Orioles seemingly revitalized offense will play host to division rivals Boston to open up next week. A series that will close out with an afternoon getaway game on Wednesday featuring a HUGE test for Brad Bergesen against Beckett. The rookie pitcher's mettle will definately be tested. This series will be a perfect chance for the Orioles to show the beginnings of preparedness to compete in the AL east and it will be key to pick up a few wins against division teams.

   Following the Boston series the O's depart for a six game west coast trip featuring Seattle and the Angels, two teams that have combined to give the Orioles fits this year. 0-2 against the Angels, albeit 1 loss was with Adam Eaton on the hill. Honestly, there's nothing overpowering about the Mariners or Angels offenses. The Orioles have faced much more potent lineups (Detroit, Texas when Hamilton was healthy and they were hitting, Boston) than these two teams and, by now, I expect them to be at least average. Let's face it, our pitching and defense is generally better than it was about a month ago.

   This is their big chance to show what they can do. Trembely talks about how he thinks the team has improved. I agree with him, they have. Addition by subtraction has ridded the pitching staff of the likes of Adam Eaton and Jamie Walker and Mark Hendrickson has been hidden well enough in the bullpen where he doesn't do too much damage. The promotion of Bergesen, who seems like an intense guy who wants to win now, is welcomed to the rotation. Wieters will have the chance to break things open as it will be, I believe, his 2nd west coast trip, and Mora and the top 3 hitters seem to be awakening from their June slumber.

   I don't know about anyone else, but I am really excited to see what happens the next 10 games. The team has improved so now we will see if they are up to the task of breaking out of the routine's we've become accustomed to the past couple years consisting of poor west coast trips and a habit of lying down to AL East teams. In reality, we caught a huge break in interleague play the last two weeks because Philly and NY Mets were pretty banged up, and Washington isn't very good. We let the Marlins get the best of us each night when we really should have at least won 1 game, and took 2 of 3 from a respectable Atlanta team with a good coaching staff. Now its time to test where the team is at mentally and physically. I think it can be done!