In taking the first two games of this series from the Blue Jays, the Orioles have finally gotten the Toronto monkey off their back and have sealed their fourth consecutive series win for the first time since August 2004. I'm told that information was relayed by Britt Ghiroli on Twitter during last night's 11-3 win. Today the O's go for the sweep, which would send a powerful message not only that Cito Gaston sucks, but also that Cito really sucks. Baltimore sticking one last finger in his eye in the twilight of his career would be fantastic.
Looking to make that a reality for the O's tonight will be Brad Bergesen. In his past eight starts, he's looked more like the pitcher who started 3E1N fever last season and less like the sad AAAA player he appeared to be earlier in this season. He's allowed two earned runs or less in six of those eight starts and went seven innings or more in five of them. That's the kind of stuff we like to see. The bad news is that in two starts against Toronto on this season, Bergy's been blasted for 13 earned runs in only 9.2 innings pitched. The most recent of these starts was July 26th - the ninth start that led to the arbitrary end point of "last eight starts." As a result, Adam Lind, Jose Bautista and Aaron Hill are slugging at least .900 off of him in at least 12 plate appearances. Yikes.
Making his major league debut for the Blue Jays tonight is the spawn of Doug Drabek. He was the #2 prospect in the Phillies organization when he was sent to Toronto as part of the Roy Halladay trade, where he promptly became the #1 prospect. The spawn of Doug Drabek has never pitched above AA, but his 162 innings there this year apparently gave the Blue Jays enough to call him up for a few starts at the end of the year. In AA, Drabek had a 7.3 K/9 but also a 3.8 BB/9. Not exactly supremely dominant stuff, but it will be the first time any of the O's hitters have seen him, so that could be enough to tip the scales a bit in favor of the Drabek.
Stacey notes that last night, the spawn of Gary Roenicke was lit up for four runs without recording an out. So it only stands to reason that tonight, the spawn of Doug Drabek will be obliterated by the O's offense. The difference in their talent levels is immaterial. Destiny has spoken, and it says that sons of former Orioles will be lit up in this series because this is the September of Showalter and all those in the way should abandon all hope. That's what I'll go with. You can't argue with destiny.
Go O's!