Wednesday Bird Droppings

A nifty lil' 3 game win streak has allowed the Birds to finally ascend to 9 games over .500. That 3 game win streak also happens to be the longest such streak in the Majors at the moment. A modest feat, to be certain. But one to be proud of nonetheless. They finally manage to get some good fortune in the standings as well, as 3 of the 5 teams in the AL win better records lost: Rangers, Sox, and Yanks. Have to doff my cap to MiGo. I was highly critical of him earlier in the year. But since the beginning of May, aside from a one game hiccup vs. Detroit, he's been pretty fantastic and has lowered his ERA nearly a full run in that time span. Viva la MiGo! 12:35 Businessman's Special today as Jerome Williams squares off against Jason Hammel. The O's seek to overcome another hump which has thus far eluded them on the season: sweeping a 3 game series. They've had 3 previous opportunities so far this season, each of them a OPACY, and failed to break out the brooms each time. Let's do the damn thang, Birds! Around the league, your pitching matchup of the day takes place in K.C. as Justin Verlander faces off with James Shields. In Tampa, the Sox and Rays conclude their series with Alfredo Aceves making a spot start vs. Chris Archer. And out in Oakland, Phil Hughes goes against Dan Straily.

School of Roch: Hammel trying to feel at home
The Professor of Posts schools us with facts concerning Hammel's suckitude vs. the Halos in the past. I'm feelin' a reverse jinx!

Manny Machado's WAR versus Miguel Cabrera's WAR - ESPN
Manny > Miggy. FACT!

Five players whose contract situations are fascinating - ESPN
Time to start thinking about a Manny extension? Just go ahead and make him an offer he can't refuse. Pay him ALL TEH MONEEZ!

Are O's stealing more runs this year? | Comcast SportsNet Baltimore
Anyone feelin' squirrely and want to dig into the math here? The O's base-thievery has been quite noticeable this year though. Team speed, for christ's sake...

Prospect Insider - Ump Show Update
An interesting look at how many blown calls each team has suffered.

Calvert Hall catcher Alex Murphy passes physical with Orioles, will head to Sarasota - baltimoresun.com
O's have been pretty quite on the draft signing front thus far. But I'd expect to see a flurry of announcements over the next couple of days. A number of 1st Rounders have already inked, and I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see Hunter Harvey get signed before the week is out.

Which Teams Drafted The Most Players From The BA 500? - BaseballAmerica.com
BA breaks down the draft, team-by-team.

Pearce skates in style to ballpark | Comcast SportsNet Baltimore

So long as he isn't riding one of them solo-wheel doohickies. You could get hurt on those, right Buck?

Ranking the Best Ballpark Experiences, Part 2 - The Triangle Blog - Grantland

I hope to take in #2 on this list later this Summer. But #1?

MLB using testimony from minor leaguers to condemn players with Biogenesis ties - Yahoo! Sports

MLB has done gone rabid in it's rampage to get A-Rod and Braun. Time to put that doggie down, Bud. It's distracting from a great game and a great season thus far.

Rany on the Royals: Bouncing Back, And Embracing The Luck.

Rany Jazayerli is perplexed by how Jeremy Guthrie is doing what he's doing. I remember being similarly confused when by Guts when he was an O.

On this date in 1939 the Hall of Fame was officially opened. Babe Ruth, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, George Sisler, Walter Johnson, and Cy Young were among the first ever Class of inductees. In 1990, Cal moved into 2nd Place on the Consecutive Games Played list.