Tony-OH

Certainly hard to sit O'Hearn with the way he's been hitting against righties. But Kjerstad doesn't have major split issues so he may be able to take some of those lefty PAs.

I think the difference here is we see the whiffs on the stuff. That's a great sign for continual success. I don't expect him to keep throwing up zeros for entire starts of course, but I do like the stuff. It's really going to come down to whether his command holds up. Gotta like what we see so far.

After a slow start through his first two series, Sosa had a nice series against Down East Wood Ducks. He's still swinging and missing a little too much, but the 5 walks and 5 doubles were good to see. So far he's had the best start out of the International top prospects outhitting both Tavera and Arias (who is now on IL).

I agree that 1B would be his last positional option, just saying that he "could" play there if needed. But I agree, he will probably DH or play RF mostly.

The question is, can he be productive playing just 1-2 times a week? We don't know because he's never really been in that role. Not everyone can stay productive in a part-time role. I think the Orioles will find a way to get him in the lineup 4-5 days a week. He can play corner outfield (except I would not play him in LF in Camden), DH and 1B. He still does not look great at 1B, but he can be serviceable if it means getting his bat into the lineup. That's a decent amount of ways to keep him and others fresh. Santander probably is at risk to sit a bit more than usual, but this also gives the Orioles an opportunity to have a very left-handed heavy lineup against righties at times, with Mountcastle sitting. The Orioles left-handed heavy lineup could be: 1. Henderson - SS 2. Rutschman - C 3. O'Hearn - 1B 4. Santander - RF 5. Cowser - LF 6. Mullins - CF 7. Westburg - 3B (R) 8. Kjerstad - DH 9. Holliday - 2B Imagine having to face that lineup and then have Mountcastle, McCann, Urias and Mateo for pinch running as a bench. Now don't get me wrong, Mountcastle is not going to be benched all that much, but Kjerstad could give Santander, Cowser, Mullins (with Cowser moving to CF), O'Hearn, Mountcastle, and Rutschman when he DHing a day off. That's a lot of ways to keep him fresh and get his bat in the lineup.

Did Melanie get a head wound? Looks like a World War II bandage on her head.

And no, I could not go to bed.

Damn.... I'll take it...

Eh, Kimbrel is choking.... Shit command tonight.

Yep, no bueno. I'm going to bed. Either I wake up and the Orioles won or a terrible, terrible loss after being up 4-0 which will be easier to take tomorrow morning.

Well that's not a good start.

Let's hope his strikezone stays big.

Cowser should yell at himself for swinging at that. That had to be 14 inches off the plate at least.

Good Lord this bullpen does not make anything easy.

What pitch did he miss?