Staying Positive Today

[dan-O]

I was a huge pessimist in the game thread last night, as a bunch of us were. It's understandable. Watching the O's play the Yankees has to be one of the most unenjoyable baseball-related activities on the planet. There's the deep-seeded resentment of the Yankees, the history of the Orioles struggling versus the Yankees, the calls that don't go our way, the ugly stadium, the tense moments trying to pitch through their lineup... Orioles @ Yankees is just never a fun game to watch.

But today, I'm trying to find the positives. Jason Hammel carried something like a 7+ ERA against the Yankees into that game and pitched a 3 ERA game in his 6 IP. That makes me feel even better about hoping that the New Jason Hammel is for real. Other than the early control problems and that one meatball to Chavez, his stuff looked the same as it has all year.

The bullpen also didn't crumble - Lindstrom and Johnson pitched cleaned innings. They didn't show any signs of being anything different against the Yanks. Maybe a guy like Patton runs the risk of getting hit around against the Yanks, but I like our bullpen's chances of continuing to do what they've been doing, even against the Yankees.

We played them close again. Obviously, this only gets you so far. Sooner or later, you have to win those close games, but with a couple of lucky breaks, the O's could be 2-2 against the Yankees. Maybe it's just been dumb luck so far. Maybe the O's are pressing a little. Either way, I think they're close to busting out and grabbing their first win against the Yanks.

I think they're going to mash Hughes tonight. And Matusz will keep them close. And if not, well, I'm not going to get too down about it. The O's lost 2 against the Angels and bounced right back, and they can do the same on this road stand. While the Sox have been winning again, they're starting pitching has still been very suspect and they've been winning by having offensive explosions. I don't think they'll be able to do that against our starting pitching and bullpen.

Anyway - a long-winded post, but the point is I'm trying to not let a 2-1 loss on the road to the Yanks get me too down. The Yankees should feel pretty lucky they got out of that game with a win the way the O's were hitting balls and the way, frankly, the Yanks weren't.

[JohnnyK27]

They way I look at it we lost a 2-1 game. That will happen from time to time no matter how good your team is. You're right if it was a five + run beating I'd be more worried.

[dan-O]

They way I look at it we lost a 2-1 game. That will happen from time to time no matter how good your team is. You're right if it was a five + run beating I'd be more worried.

Absolutely. If Jason Hammel suddenly looked like the old Jason Hammel and got pounded around and left in the 4th inning, then that's one thing. That sounds more like the Orioles of years past. We shut down one of the best lineups in baseball to 2 runs. The offense just didn't get a few breaks and it makes things like the Chris Davis AB stand out all that much more.

[flashjordnk]

They way I look at it we lost a 2-1 game. That will happen from time to time no matter how good your team is.

Apparently not in the last 56 games or whatever . But seriously, what an odd stat for MASN to come up with. I'm just surprised we had 56 games over the last few years that we only gave up two runs!

But your right...these losses definitely happen and no matter what we've given the Yanks a good run for their money. Plus we hit the ball hard last night. Lots of hard outs, so that's baseball.

[Jagwar]

They way I look at it we lost a 2-1 game. That will happen from time to time no matter how good your team is. You're right if it was a five + run beating I'd be more worried.

Hey, no optimism allowed! Oh yeah... this is a staying positive thread.

The O's hit the ball hard a bunch of times last night, particularly in the early innings. Reimold hit a shot in the first inning to LF, Davis almost hit one out to LF, Wieters to RF, Jones and Andino to CF, Jeter and Tex had to make great plays on liners. A little more carry/elevation on those and the O's probably score 4-5 runs on Kuroda.

[NickM21]

I would be a little more positive if it wasn't matusz pitching. I'll tell you what though if matusz gets a W in New York that would be a HUGE confidence boost for the whole team.

[dan-O]

I would be a little more positive if it wasn't matusz pitching. I'll tell you what though if matusz gets a W in New York that would be a HUGE confidence boost for the whole team.

It doesn't seem possible, but Phil Hughes has had an even worse start to the year than Matusz. And actually, Matusz had two decent starts, one of which was sort of blown by Kevin Gregg.

The question becomes does Phil Hughes has another bad one in him, or does he get healthy against the O's? I think this time, the O's jump him.

[NickM21]

It doesn't seem possible, but Phil Hughes has had an even worse start to the year than Matusz. And actually, Matusz had two decent starts, one of which was sort of blown by Kevin Gregg.

The question becomes does Phil Hughes has another bad one in him, or does he get healthy against the O's? I think this time, the O's jump him.

The one thing I don't believe matusz has had the luxury of yet is to have an early lead. I think the last game the O's were up 1-0 and that was the first time matusz was pitching with the lead the whole year (he gave the lead up immediately). Give the man a couple runs in the first for crying out loud.

[RavNMadMan]

I'm staying positive. The game last night PO'ed me a lot because of the missed opportunites I saw. However, we were in that game all night as we have been for the large majority of games this year. Tonight is a new night, new game. Go O's!!!!

[Slappy]

This team has gotten murdered so many times in the Bronx that last night didn't even bother me that much.

[OFFNY]

.
We lost a 2-1 game, and again, I'm convinced that we got jobbed on the Teixeria single up the first baseline in the 2nd inning.

Not only would Chavez' home run been only solo shot if Teixeira had not gotten the gift single, but Hammel would have been pitching from the stretch had Teixeira not gotten on, so he may not have hit the home run at all. We'll never know.

Just another of the many tough breaks that we get playing in the toughest division in baseball with the richest team in baseball, with the friendliest (toward the Yankees and the Red Sox) umpires in baseball.

We're just going to have to suck it up and beat their asses anyway, regardless of the bad breaks that we get and the overall difficulty of our quest.

[OFFNY]

.
Also ...... here I go again with my sunshine warrior homer-ism, but last night's game had the feel of 2 teams fighting for a playoff spot playing a tight game in September. That's what it looked like for the players on both teams that were on the field, and also what the overall atmosphere felt like for everyone (fans, players, ushers, peanut vendors, car salesmen, fugitives on the lam, etc.)

[flashjordnk]

.
We lost a 2-1 game, and again, I'm convinced that we got jobbed on the Teixeria single up the first baseline in the 2nd inning.

Oh we for sure got jobbed on that call. I mean that was just terrible.

[Spoonless]

Our pitching held one of the best offenses in MLB to 2 runs. NYY was #1 in team OPS in all of MLB and #2 in runs scored (behind Texas by 2) going into yesterday's game. Limiting their offense to 2 runs was an impressive feat.

[dan-O]

Reimold out for tonight's game... trying real hard to remain positive. /deep breath....