Say O!

IMO we will see a move by June 1st for either Holliday or Mayo (maybe both) as the O’s schedule June to all-Star break is tough as nails.

My takeaway is the contrast between a young team versus an aging team. Judge, Stanton, Rizzo, Rodon, Stroman, Cole are on the wrong side of 30 and more likely to decline (or be injured) over the course of the year.

Last year Webb fastball was 95mph. Earlier this year Webb fastball was 91mph. The last couple outings the velo has ticked back up to the 93-94mph range and his secondaries (both changeup and sweeper) are noticeably sharper with swing+miss. I wonder if Webb went through the proverbial “dead arm” period in April and has now reverted back to normal.

Roy reverse jinx in mid-season form today.

Re: opener. For guys coming back from injury like Bradish (or Means), starting the game (vs relief) allows them to prepare and manage warm ups with known timing in getting ready. Whereas the RP following the opener may come 20 mins into the game, may come 40 mins into the game…there’s just variance depending upon how the initial innings play out. Just a variable that would rather not work with when returning from arm troubles.

Indeed. He looks like a different guy tonight when rested, pumping 98mph with nasty change and cutter/slider.

Nice to see these two getting recognition. Their emergence has taken an above average offense to league leading levels. While the Os broadcast mentioned Cowser hand set further from his body, I had not previously heard about to the subtle changes Westburg made to his stance and bat set. Makes sense as he is tapping into even more power and EV than he displayed in the minors.

Not sure if this was mentioned in other game threads, but I have noticed it in several games now that Os catcher (regardless of Adley or McCann) looks into dugout once runners get on. I had thought initially it was to set the play (I.e if runners on 1st and 3rd) but almost appears to be getting sign for the pitch from the dugout. Anyone else notice?

That 98mph high fastball would be lethal in the bullpen.

Adley is calling too many changeups. Just give em the heater Rickey!

That has to be like 4th or 5th K on Gunnar where ump got the call wrong.

After some left handed Pedro Cerrano wave over offspeed pitches, Cowser must have cursed Jabu and finally hit the curveball!

May need to consider piggybacking these guys, rather than throwing 5 innings and turning it over to bullpen. Thus far, Hyde seems to exclusively prefer 1 inning outings from relievers so the BP is racking up appearances.

He’s 21yrs old. Plenty of development time ahead of him.

Regarding the overall league offensive environment, I think it’s less injuries/depth and more to do with putridness of CWS and MIA offenses, with COL not much better. Those three are wRC+ of 62, 67, 75 respectively. Most years shake out with the worst team around 80. FYI the Os are currently 127 wRC+ only trailing the LAD 128. Also note that Os are second in BSR, only trailing CIN, with CIN, Os, KCR significantly better than rest of league.