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Another day, another game the Orioles could really stand to win. It's been ten days since they last won consecutive games. They haven't lost consecutive games since July 24, which is also OK, but the win one, lose one pattern they've been in for August is not going to get them into the postseason.
Facing a team that struggles offensively, which the Mariners are, when that team is starting a pitcher whose ERA is closer to 5 than 4, well, that's the team where you need to take two out of three at a minimum, if not sweep. That's all there is to it. A team that wants to make the postseason can't be losing to a team that has Austin Jackson as the leadoff hitter and Taijuan Walker as the starting pitcher.
Are they up to that challenge? I guess we'll find out. It is encouraging in a small way to see the lineup shuffled such that Jonathan Schoop, performing well at the plate in 2015, is closer to the top, while J.J. Hardy, having a very poor year at the plate in 2015, is closer to the bottom. On the other hand, since Walker is right-handed, that leaves us with lefty-batting Matt Wieters hitting fifth. I don't expect much - but then, as you know, I never do.
Whatever the Orioles do tonight, they're probably going to need to do it without closer Zach Britton. So let's go ahead and blow out the Mariners, gentlemen. And if Chris Tillman could have another great start, that would be helpful as well.
P.S. This is the last 10pm Eastern start time. Thank goodness. I have had enough of this west coast nonsense.