Wednesday Bird Droppings

The heat is on off now in Tampa. While the Tigers claw their way to a Game 5 vs. Oakland. For what it's worth, the Sox went 3-4 vs. the Tigers this season, and 3-3 vs. the A's. Tonight the Pirates and Cards face off in their own Game 5. Good luck to the fightin' Andrew_G's. Anyone watch League of Denial last night? Incredible and devastating.

AFL action kicked off yesterday. Jonathan Schoop played SS and went 0-4, w/ 2 Ks. Henry Urrutia played RF and went 3-4, w/ and RBI single. Dariel Alvarez pinch ran and took over in RF for Urrutia late in the game, but did not get a plate appearance. Jason Gurka pitched the 6th. He allowed 2 hits and 1 ER, but ended up vulturing a Win out of the day.

School of Roch: Updates on Morse and the coaching staff
Give us now our daily Kubatko.

Camden Depot: Making the Orioles a Champion in 2014: Left Field

What could have been done better in 2013 and what can be done to address the position in 2014.

Beltran will be in demand this winter - Buster Olney Blog - ESPN

I remain conflicted on this topic. He has a long and illustrious track record of just what the O's offense needs. But he is pretty clearly in decline, though still a solid player. Add in the O's suddenly possibly facing a 'window' of contention of possibly 2 years and it may well be worth surrendering a draft pick for him.

Kevin Gausman and the Importance of a Third Pitch

What to make of the Goose's slider.

Contract Crowdsourcing 2013-14: Nate McLouth | FanGraphs Baseball

The Highlander comes up for scrutiny in Fangraphs' Contract Crowdsourcing project.

Joe Blogs: Ranking the Hall Ballot: Results Edition

A follow-up to yesterday's link.

The 10 best draft picks gained by losing a free agent - Baseball Nation

Interesting look at just what some Compensation picks have netted teams over the years.

On this date in 1966, the Orioles finish a sweep of the Dodgers to win their first World Series. Dave McNally pitches a shutout and Frank Robinson hits a solo HR that proves to be the games only run.  The O's pitchers combine for 33 consecutive shutout innings to end the series. 5 years later, the O's open the '71 Series with a 5-3 win over the Pirates. And, of course, in the 8th inning of Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS some snot-nosed brat (trying to control my temper here) interfered with a ball by reaching over the right field wall in old Yankee Stadium. RF Ump Rich Garcia plays dumb and awards Derek Jeter a HR rather than making the correct and proper ruling by calling Jeter out and kicking Jeffery Maier out of the game. A travesty.