So Proud of My Orioles

Normally, Saturday morning is reserved for my college football picks, but I thought today I would talk about some good news. I also wanted to let everyone know why I did not pick any games last week. So this Saturday we are taking a different course here at RAN.

First, my son was born on the 2nd so last week my focus was entirely on him and this miracle of life. He is sleeping now and I thought it an appropriate time to announce the news here. He is an awesome bundle of joy. He's also an Orioles and Noles fan already. In fact, his 1st ever sporting event that he watched was the Orioles PLAYOFF VICTORY over the Rangers last Friday. A picture of our little guy is right below. He loves his Orioles already.

He was so proud and happy that he got to see that game even though he was so little. No joke he even raised his hands above his head and smiled after every Chris Davis hit. Even when it looked like he was sleeping. I guess Chris Davis is his favorite player so far. He did cry after the game last night, but after I told him everything was ok and that next year will be better he was fine.

That's just the thing, next year will absolutely better and this year was quite the ride.

These Orioles were supposed to finish in last, but they made the playoffs, and even advanced in the playoffs.
They were supposed to lose 100 games, but they actually won 96.
They were supposed to perhaps be the worst team in baseball, but they were one of the best.
What a magical season!

These guys battled with a team that had twice their payroll tooth and nail in the playoffs. Sure it ended poorly and on a poor note. (Although McLouth hit a homer that completely would have turned the game that was ruled a foul). However, they never gave up and kept battling.

Let's talk about what they overcame.
Their biggest offseason signing, Tsuyoshi Wada, never pitched a game.
Brian Roberts their 3rd highest paid player, played in about 10 games total.
3/5 of their starting rotation to open the season had to be demoted to the minors.
Nick Markakis the club's most consistent hitter and fielder spent two trips on the DL, including a stint that didn't allow him to play in the playoffs.
Jason Hammel had multiple trips to the DL, and he was the club's most consistent starter.
Nolan Reimold was out early for the season and he was doing a great job as the leadoff hitter.
The club was a disaster defensively until Manny Machado got brought up.
Their bullpen went through numerous injuries.

This team just overcame and overcame and overcame and it all comes down to Buck. Showalter had perhaps the best managing job ever this season. The guy pushed all the right buttons. He always came through. It seemed like he never made a mistake. I didn't agree with every decision, but I could not have done a better job. Nobody could have done a better job. Buck made it happen. I will grade individual players in the coming months and days. I think Wieters among others deserves a bulk of the credit, but most of it has to go to Buck. If I was grading Buck Showalter's performance he would get A+++++. The guy was absolutely amazing in the dugout this year. I am thrilled that he is on our side, and thrilled with the future of our Baltimore Orioles. Noland Jr. and Jenna are thrilled as well. We got Buck on our side and the future is very bright for these Orioles.

-Noland

Roster Moves and Mascot Analysis

The Orioles made several roster moves today following the 17 inning marathon yesterday. As expected, Stu Pomeranz came up north, but he wasn't alone. One of my favorites, Jason Berken, also came up north. An expected move happened in Wada being placed on the 60 day DL to make room for Pomeranz on the 40. However, that was the only expected move. Hunter was sent down to Norfolk to give Berken a shot at coming up. Berken will likely get the start Friday if he is not needed before then. If he is needed, than another roster move will need to be made by Friday. Additionally, Exposito was not sent out for Pomeranz, but Ronny Paulino. I don't think anyone saw Paulino getting sent down. This is wild.

If you wanted a look at the mascot analysis for the Baltimore Orioles, my cousin Adam found this picture featuring it. This is interesting stuff.

That is pure craziness. In another wild story, Brandon Snyder is starting at 3rd base for the Rangers and has 2 RBIs tonight. Would you rather have this guy than Nick Johnson? Mark Reynolds? Crazy game this baseball.

-Noland

Orioles Lose, Drop From 1st to 3rd

Is this where the slide begins? The Orioles were riding high early this season and now they look like the typical Orioles teams with no life. They also have the key injuries that fit all Oriole teams. Brian Roberts is still hurt for the what seems like the 5th straight season. I believe it is the 3rd straight season though with Roberts' injuries. Robert Andino has been having a solid year though so that one hasn't hurt the O's too bad. Nolan Reimold has been an animal with the bat this season, but he was out of the lineup last night due to neck spasms. Reimold is our replacement leadoff hitter, he was hitting .370 with 5 home runs. If Reimold is out for any serious length of time, it is big time trouble. Speaking of neck problems, Tsuyoshi Wada was shut down yesterday for neck spasms. Guess we will not see him anytime soon.

Now for the actual game. Jake Arrieta has been outstanding this season and started outstanding again last night. Unfortunately, for Jake he got rocked in the 5th inning. I for one am not gonna hang this one on Jake because of one bad inning. If we hadn't been playing the Angels we still may have pulled it out.

Hard to pull it out though when your offense has no life. Nick Johnson once again went hitless and is still at .000. How long do we remain patient with Johnson? Reimold's replacement Endy Chavez led off and went 0 for 4. He will get a longer rope than Johnson, but hitting .125 just doesn't cut it. JJ Hardy was also 0 for 4. My least favorite Oriole besides Kevin Gregg (Mark Reynolds) went 0 for 3. Just a punchless night from the offense.

There are some positives from last night though.
1) The Orioles found a taker for Josh Bell, more on that trade later
2) Matt Wieters hit his 5th home run
3) Adam Jones was 2 for 4 and is now hitting .311
4) Matt Lindstrom had another scoreless outing

That's it though. Maybe next time.

-Noland

Orioles Lose, Drop Into Tie For First

I am very happy with how the season has started for the Orioles, but there are two problems. As I pointed out yesterday in my post about the Tides, there are two current Orioles that they could do without on the big league club.

1. Kevin Gregg
2. Brian Matusz

Gregg is a lost cause and they need to just release him. He did not pitch last night, but has pitched in the majority of the losses this season. The guy presents no trade value and is just stopping us from having either Berken, Neshak or Eveland in the pros.

Then there is Brian Matusz, the guy lost his third start this season and hasn't won a start since 2010. I know we have a lot tied to Matusz and he at one point was filthy, but he just isn't right. The guy cannot get anyone out right now. Send him down and have Peterson work with him. If we are serious about this being the year we contend we cannot continue this exercise. Eveland has to come up tomorrow. Look at him, he is ready.

Tsuyoshi Wada is still bothered by his neck and isn't pitching well. He's not ready. I have no idea when Wada will be ready, neither do the Orioles. Nobody knows when Matusz will be ready, Bergessen doesn't look right, Tillman is struggling. Eveland is the guy right now. Duquette was so excited to trade for Eveland at the winter meetings. Well then let him throw in the bigs. The time is now. The Orioles cannot take a loss every time the 5th starter comes up because Matusz is working through it. We are in 1st place. Lets make a bold first place move. Plus, its my birthday so you should just listen to me. We Want Eveland!!!

-Noland

P.S. Nolan Reimold continues to mash the ball. He went 3 for 5 last night raising his average to .370 and he hit his 5th home run. Reimold also hit his 4th double.

Anyone Looking Good @ Norfolk?

With a few Orioles struggling, the question usually goes to who do we bring up? In order to look at that we have to look at how each person is doing at Norfolk. Unfortunately, the Tides look bad and are in last place, but that doesn't mean they are all bad.

Here is a look at some of the people we may be seeing in Baltimore this year.

Xavier Avery is hitting .276 with a .364 OBP. This certainly has to be encouraging for the Orioles with Avery showing some plate discipline. The odds of seeing him this year aren't too great with the money tied into Chavez, but it is a possibility. The outfield will probably stay as is though unless Reimold moves to DH if Johnson is sent out.

Everyone else is under a .250 average other than the catchers. Not much chance of seeing any of them with those kinds of stats. The two catchers aren't likely to come up either with what we got in the system.

Ryan Adams has been especially awful hitting .179. Many fans wanted to see him as our everyday second baseman so I am thrilled Buck didn't listen to the fans. Andino is proving Buck to be right and Adams is as well.

The pitchers have been much better other than perhaps the three most important ones. Brad Bergessen is 0-1 with a 8.33 ERA. Not good for someone that thought he was back in form. And the sad thing is Bergessen hasn't been the worst one.

Tsuyoshi Wada has been awful on his rehab assignment. Wada lost his start and has a 20.25 ERA. That is not a misprint, Wada's ERA actually is 20.25. Let's hope Wada gets a lot better before he heads up north.

Chris Tillman has been slightly better than the other two, but not good. Tillman is 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA. He has been the best from that group, but he is far from the best so far in Norfolk.

Pat Neshak who didn't give up a run in spring training, still hasn't given up a run. You have got to think Neshak heads north soon. I'd replace Kevin Gregg with Neshak today.

Miguel Gonzalez has also not given up a run. Heck, Gonzalez hasn't given up a hit. He seems to be a guy that came out of nowhere. Are the Orioles really ready for an M.Gonzalez though? If it gets rid of Kevin Gregg, I say heck yes!

Who replaces Matusz if he struggles tonight? Dana Eveland and Jason Berken look like solid choices. Berken hasn't given up a run yet in 9 innings, but has not really been stretched out enough to start in the big leagues. Considering his past success, Berken might be a likely candidate to take over for Gregg as well. Eveland is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA and seems to be the guy to be next in line if Wada isn't ready.

What about Zach Phillips? Phillips has a 2.25 ERA and is still one of the next guys in line.

Here is where I think everyone stands.
Starter who replaces someone for ineffectiveness in order. If Matusz is bad tonight he's in AAA
Eveland
Wada
Tillman
S.Johnson
Berken

Bullpen replacements, hopefully for Gregg
Neshak
Berken
Phillips
Eveland
Gonzalez

I'd expect some type of move after this road trip.

-Noland