Jason Hammel Today

[Camden_yardbird]

This is something Orioles pitchers have not been able to do in the recent past. When you don't got it, its your job to keep your team in it for 5-6 innings. With most of the young guys recently that would have been an 8 or 9 run games for the toronto pretty quickly.

[calhof2007]

I know it's still very early, but I am excited for Jason Hammel. He kept a really good Blue Jays hitting team in check. I think his next start is the series finale in Chicago. Hopefully he can make it 3 good starts in a row.

[jtschrei]

Let's not forget that Hammel could have gotten knocked out in the 2nd if not for the unbelievably boneheaded base-running of Lawrie. Wow, stealing home with the bases loaded, 2 outs and Jose Bautista at bat? I mean, wow.

Still, Hammel took the gift and ran with it. I actually thought he should have come out for the 6th.

[Miller192]

He looks like Jason Johnson to me. Not mechanics wise, just the resemblence.

[JohnnyK27]

Nice start considering he struggled with his mechanics today ...Kudos to Linstrom for mucking up another good start by our rotation. Our bullpen is starting to once again be the achilles heel of the team.

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I dont know if it was DD who made the decision to keep Gregg over Simon ...But it was a crappy one clearly about Gregg's contract over fielding the best possible team.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Nice start considering he struggled with his mechanics today ...Kudos to Linstrom for mucking up another good start by our rotation. Our bullpen is starting to once again be the achilles heel of the team.

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I dont know if it was DD who made the decision to keep Gregg over Simon ...But it was a crappy one clearly about Gregg's contract over fielding the best possible team.

You mean the guy who threw a wild pitch to lose a game the other day? Yeah, I'm crushed he's gone.

[JohnnyK27]

You mean the guy who threw a wild pitch to lose a game the other day? Yeah, I'm crushed he's gone.

So you think the Orioles are better off with Gregg??? I cant imagine ...While Simon struggles with his control at times he has the stuff to be good other times. Gregg is just about putrid all of the time..... He is a high wire act nearly every time out.

[BaltimoreTerp]

So you think the Orioles are better off with Gregg??? I cant imagine ...While Simon struggles with his control at times he has the stuff to be good other times. Gregg is just about putrid all of the time..... He is a high wire act nearly every time out.

Kevin Gregg is an average reliever with a bad mind for PR. Alfredo Simon is a replacement-level pitcher who can throw long-relief and start in a pinch.

Gregg's better. If the choice is someone better than Gregg, then dump him.

[BarclaySouthway]

I really like what I've seen so far. Hammel's gonna have a better season than Guthrie.

Disclaimer: I also thought Kris Benson for Maine and Julio was a good deal after Benson's first couple starts.

[RZNJ]

Nice start considering he struggled with his mechanics today ...Kudos to Linstrom for mucking up another good start by our rotation. Our bullpen is starting to once again be the achilles heel of the team.

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I dont know if it was DD who made the decision to keep Gregg over Simon ...But it was a crappy one clearly about Gregg's contract over fielding the best possible team.

I don't think Lindstrom looked that good today but I think you're wrong about the bullpen overall. First of all, in Lindstroms's defense, the error by Betemit really changed the inning. I was concerned that hitters had no trouble turning on his 96 mph fastball though. As for the bullpen overall, Johnson looks solid in the 9th. Strop and Ayala look like solid setup guys. O'Day is a real wildcard here. He's looked good in his last two appearances. If he's back to where he was two years ago, he's another very solid piece in the late innings. Patton is decent as well. That leaves Gregg and Lindstrom as the two guys where you hold your breath when they come in. That's not terrible, considering that both still could be mediocre instead of terrible. Plus, both are replaceable (I think Lindstrom might be tradeable). When Wada comes back, someone has to go. O'Day has an option but he just made it tougher to send him down. Then we also have Neshek and Phillips down in Norfolk and off to good starts. I'm starting to like how the bullpen is shaping up.

[glenn__davis]

I agree with RZ. I think the bullpen has been solid. Apart from Ayala walking the tying run into scoring position with 2 outs in the Yankee series, I can't really think of any time when I've thought "same old O's bullpen". Of course they obviously have plenty of time to live up to the stellar reputation of their predecessors.

[JohnnyK27]

I don't think Lindstrom looked that good today but I think you're wrong about the bullpen overall. First of all, in Lindstroms's defense, the error by Betemit really changed the inning. I was concerned that hitters had no trouble turning on his 96 mph fastball though. As for the bullpen overall, Johnson looks solid in the 9th. Strop and Ayala look like solid setup guys. O'Day is a real wildcard here. He's looked good in his last two appearances. If he's back to where he was two years ago, he's another very solid piece in the late innings. Patton is decent as well. That leaves Gregg and Lindstrom as the two guys where you hold your breath when they come in. That's not terrible, considering that both still could be mediocre instead of terrible. Plus, both are replaceable (I think Lindstrom might be tradeable). When Wada comes back, someone has to go. O'Day has an option but he just made it tougher to send him down. Then we also have Neshek and Phillips down in Norfolk and off to good starts. I'm starting to like how the bullpen is shaping up.

Perhaps I've jumped the gun....But the bullpen needs a lefty specialist that they don't have on the roster. I'm guessing Wada might fill that role ...but I still have the feeling that Wada will either be the long man or the 5th starter when he returns.

[RZNJ]

Perhaps I've jumped the gun....But the bullpen needs a lefty specialist that they don't have on the roster. I'm guessing Wada might fill that role ...but I still have the feeling that Wada will either be the long man or the 5th starter when he returns.

I have no idea on Wada's splits but he could certainly double as long man and a guy to matchup with one or two lefties late in a game. I'm okay without a "lefty specialist". Just give me 7 good bullpen guys, period, and I'm happy.

[OFFNY]

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Afternoon game today, Jason. Good luck.

[OFFNY]

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These are your opponents.

WHITE SOX

Alejandro De Aza - CF
Brent Lillibridge - 3B
Adam Dunn - 1B
Paul Konerko - DH
Alex Rios - RF
Alexei Ramirez - SS
Dayan Viciedo - LF
Tyler Flowers - C
Eduardo Escobar - 2B

http://baseballpress.com/lineup.php