Anyone listen to Rob and Vinny on 105.7 the Fan this afternoon? They had someone text into the show to tell them that the Orioles were not 19 games over .500, but rather just 9.5 games. It was explained that if you could go back in time and the Orioles lost 9.5 of their games that they won then they would having a winning percentage of .500. The whole conversation was ridiculous and just made for fodder from which the co-hosts prodded the text-er.
But it made me think. Holy crap, the Orioles are 19 games over .500 with a month left! I realize they were even better than that just a series ago but that is a big number. This team has that fighting spirit. A sweep at the hands of a team like the Cubs could have been the end for a feeble-minded bunch. And honestly, it still could. We don't know yet.
However, Chris Tillman, the on-again, off-again ace of the playoff-bound Orioles went out on the mound and proved himself to be the stopper. That is what a number one pitcher does. They realize that the club is struggling and rather than get sucked into that downtrodden feeling, he rises above and pulls his teammates with him. Good on you, boys.
For a more in-depth look at tonight's lineup, check out the game preview. And I will see you after the game for the recap as you get the trifecta of Tyler. Please contain your excitement.
Lineups
Tampa Bay Rays | Baltimore Orioles |
CF Desmond Jennings (R) | RF Nick Markakis (L) |
LF Ben Zobrist (S) | 1B Steve Pearce (R) |
2B Logan Forsythe (R) | CF Adam Jones (R) |
DH Evan Longoria (R) | DH Nelson Cruz (R) |
RF Wil Myers (R) | LF Delmon Young (R) |
SS Yunel Escobar (R) | SS J.J. Hardy (R) |
1B James Loney (L) | 3B Chris Davis (L) |
C Ryan Hanigan (R) | C Caleb Joseph (R) |
3B Sean Rodriguez (R) | 2B Jonathan Schoop (R) |
RHP Alex Cobb | LHP Wei-Yin Chen |