Hello, friends.
Another day has dawned with the Orioles in third place in the American League East. They are 10.5 games behind the division-leading Red Sox.
Of much more immediate interest to the Orioles, and unfortunately for their slim remaining hopes of the season ending with a return to the playoffs, the Twins were walkoff winners against the Padres on Wednesday night, so the Orioles gained no ground in the wild card race.
The Orioles remain 4.5 games back, with five teams to pass and 16 games to be played. That adds up to a "tragic number" of 13 before the O's end up being mathematically eliminated. Maybe the O's can hold on to a .500 or better record by season's end. That still seems like a more realistic goal at this point.
If you missed the O's finally snapping their losing streak against the Blue Jays on Wednesday night, check out Tyler Young's recap of the game, and don't forget to vote in the Most Birdland Player poll. The Yankees await the Orioles next. Let's hope it doesn't end up being as grotesque as I fear that it could be.
There's nothing quite like setting up for a four game series with a starting rotation that includes Jeremy Hellickson, Gabriel Ynoa, Wade Miley, and a TBD that will not be Dylan Bundy to make you feel good.
Around the blogO'sphere
Showalter on Hays: "His time will come" - Steve Melewski
But seriously, why isn't that time now?
Ynoa included in rotation for four-game series in Bronx - School of Roch
Seems like Gabriel Ynoa is going to get another couple of looks in the rotation before the season comes to an end. Good luck to him.
Zach Davies, Major League Outlier | FanGraphs Baseball
It's not a complete day if there's not an article written somewhere that makes you sigh about one of the pitchers that Dan Duquette traded away.
O's to keep Dylan Bundy on short leash with postseason in mind (Baltimore Sun)
I get that it's necessary for them to say this, but I wonder how much they actually believe it.
Reports from Japan suggest Shohei Otani will request to be posted (MLB Trade Rumors)
I know there's no chance of the Orioles actually signing this guy, but it's interesting to think about anyway.
Birthdays and anniversaries
On this day in 1987, the 8,264 consecutive innings streak of Cal Ripken Jr. came to an end during an 18-3 loss to the Blue Jays in which Toronto hit 10 home runs. Cal Ripken Sr. was the manager who ended the streak.
There are just two former Orioles with birthdays today. They are: Playoff hero Delmon Young, and 2007-08 side-armer Chad Bradford.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your birthday buddies for today include: Star Trek's Walter Koenig (1936), rapper Nas (1973), and singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse (1983).
On this date in history...
In 1741, George Friedric Handel completed his oratorio, Messiah. This is the work of music that contains the famed Hallelujah chorus.
In 1752, the British Empire adopted the Gregorian calendar, meaning that they suddenly skipped forward from September 2 to September 14.
In 1812, Napoleon's Grande Armee entered Moscow, which was set on fire as soon as Russian troops were out of the city.
In 1975, the first American saint of the Catholic Church, Elizabeth Ann Seton, was canonized by Pope Paul VI. Among other things, she is the patron saint of the state of Maryland.
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And that's the way it is in Birdland on September 14 - or at least, until something happens later, though nobody says that it will be good with the O's heading into New York to play the Yankees. Have a safe Thursday. Go O's!