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First things first: the Orioles might be the worst team in baseball, but as an organization they have been increasingly good to those of us who take time to write about and support the team through these dark days. From blogger days in the MASN suite to a forum at FanFest, they are recognizing our importance in the fan community while at the same time giving some love to those of us who haven't ditched them.
Tonight begins a new initiative by the O's: bloggers in the press box. Later this year the Orioles will implement a process by which bloggers can become credentialed for games, and in preparation for that they have reserved a seat in the press box every game this homestand for an Orioles blogger. The first writer to venture forth into the press box is Matt Taylor, a contributor here at Camden Chat and owner of Roar From 34. I would never suggest that any of you leave CC during the game (that would be absurd!) but since Matt will be updating Roar during the game I hope you'll open up a new tab in your browser and check in on him from time to time to see what kind of awesome stuff he has to say.
My turn in the press box is this Friday as the O's take on the Nats with Jake Arrieta on the mound, so I'm looking forward to hearing about the experience from Matt so I know what to expect.
Anyway, on to the game. Last year the Orioles completed a sweep of the defending world champion Phillies in their own house and the fans were feeling good. Enter the Marlins, who swept the smile right off of our faces down in Miami. Hopefully it'll be different this time. I'm not really counting on it being different, all things considered, but hopefully it will. Thankfully the O's will miss Josh Johnson who is having a heck of a season so far. Not that Anibal Sanchez, who the O's are facing tonight, is a slouch.
Sanchez is facing off against Jeremy Guthrie, who is coming off of four consecutive losses where he allowed four runs in three starts and two in the fourth. Doesn't he know that if you want to win you can't allow any runs at all? Geez, Guts.
Player notes:
- Matt Wieters - As you read about in Birds Up, O's Down, Matt just had the worst week ever, but in his last game in San Diego he had a double, a walk, and no strikeouts. I know, it's not much, but every time he has one good game I think it might be the beginning of his return to respectability. Fingers crossed.
- Nick Markakis - Nick's OBP is just 9 points shy of .400. In my dreams Nick is a .300/.400/.500 hitter. He's there in average and so close OBP. He needs to start hitting home runs if he's going to get the SLG where it needs to be (currently at .430) but let's take it one step at a time. After a dismal walk rate last year, Nick is on pace to have 91 walks this season.
- Miguel Tejada - Miggi had 8 hits on the road trip (.308 avg) but they were all singles. After starting the year strong his power has completely dried up. He hasn't hit a home run since April 30th. Oof.
- Jake Fox - Ok so he's not in the lineup, and there isn't anything to say about him just yet, but he is our newest player. Maybe we'll see a pinch hitting appearance?