I can’t see how any Orioles fan could underestimate the importance of a great bullpen. When you look at our 2012-16 teams, the bullpen was an absolutely key component of those teams, especially in 2012 and 2016 when we certainly would not have made the playoffs but for the outstanding bullpen performance. Even in 2014, the bullpen was a key feature and we got beat in the playoffs because KC’s bullpen was even better than ours.
You know who doesn’t underestimate the importance of a great bullpen? The Yankees.
One of the more exciting parts of the team is the bullpen and the upside of some of the arms out there. The Scott/Harvey combo is at the top of that list.
Those 2 staying healthy and being consistent are huge for the long term. They have a chance to be a dominant back end of the pen. Bullpens are finally starting to be valued more in line with how important they are but I still think we underestimate the importance of a great pen, largely because WAR does a poor job of evaluating relievers imo.
Worst of all, I often have an allergic reaction to many hoppy / dry beers (and also dry wines). I don’t know what causes it, as I haven’t been willing to spend thousands to find out exactly why, but lagers are safe so I stick with those. I was so excited for the beer revolution in the US that really kicked in about 20 years ago, but am constantly amazed how you can walk into a bar with 30 microbrews on draft and there will be only one or two that aren’t IPAs.
Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde has tabbed journeyman Thomas Eshelman to take the bump in Sunday afternoon's Spring Opener at Ed Smith Stadium.
https://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2021/02/orioles-notes-and-quotes-from-todays-workout.html
Holt and Akin were tonight's guests.
Roch before the interview segments on crowded OF I did notice the tone of certainty in his banter about Santander going at trade deadline.
Holt describing Valdez said it is as simple as he "does what he's good at a bunch", which reminded me of Earl's book and his observation almost nobody is good at everything. I think I heard him ruling out 6-man rotation when he got that question, saying the extra rest too disruptive to pitcher's rhythms. I am guessing we will more skip starts, or shorten seasons to manage that.
Akin gave a "trust the process" quote about marching orders from Holt at AAA to use sliders and change-ups when normally he wouldn't, even if walks ensued. He said he and DL Hall talk all the time. Asked about the 60 to 162 part of this year's challenge, he shared a bit from a conversation with Kremer, where Kremer said he simulated 50-60 innings between Spring Training 1 and Spring Training 2, and that he also was generally working like that last April/May/June too.