AlbNYfan

Thanks. I tired of the announcers and left. That put an exclamation point on the game. Lot of pitches and pitchers, team effort, but still sweet.

Yankees struck out 18 times last night. I've tried to find out the most they've ever struck out in a 9 inning game, but this has to be close. Rizzo 5 times. I'll pick on Rizzo again. Infield in, runner on third, O'Hearn at bat...pulling everything foul..Rizzo playing 15 feet off the line and O'Hearn screams a liner down the line. What are they thinking? Yanks may have a huge payroll, but don't play well IMO.

Although the broadcast was very favorable to the O's, the team, fans, etc, I thought overall it sucked. They babbled on about the wall, Olney and the Verlander "trade". What I hated most was them having Gunnar miked up and asking questions while on the field. Really???...they were asking questions while the pitcher was winding up. Just stupid shit IMO. The Bautista wasn't much better, at least he wasn't playing at the time.

Some (maybe the most vociferous) seem to believe guys like Cowser, Westburg, Ortiz and others AAA numbers will translate to the O's without a hitch. That is extremely unlikely. Once they're up they preach patience, they will get it. That indeed may be true. But, the O's are in a position to win the division and cannot afford to have a learn on the job and see what happens. There are some "terrible???" players that somehow got the O's to their current 1st place position. I am not opposed to change, but I am opposed to having 1/3 of the lineup with on the job training in 2023. 2024, bring it on...162 games vs the remaining 60 gives more time for patience.

Whoever said watch the ball hit the bat?

Let's at least admit that Keflin was very tough last night. 2 hits, 1 walk isn't going to get you much. Wasted great start by Bradish. Roy talked about HR's...the O's just need to get on base. I didn't care for the line up in many ways. Having 3 outs at the bottom of the order was stupid IMO and made Keflin's job much easier. It is not the time for on the job training. To get ready for next year?? The O's are in first now with 60 or so games left, they'll be lucky to be in that position next year. Play for now. The AL East isn't going to lay dormant over the winter. Cowser, Westburg and others may indeed turn out to be OK, but right now I'd use the guys that got the O's that got us there and yes that includes the guys you hate because of their flaws.

I disagree, Mountcastle is a better defensive 1st baseman IMO.

I will admit up front that I know less about this than you. Some obvious to me may be in fact full of flaws. I suggest that baseball stadiums in general are subject to more wear and tear than football stadiums. 81 games vs 10 or 11 (including exhibitions). Huge amount of weekday games (at night) virtually none for football. That IMO would require the State to make assurances that neighborhood be safe and developed on a regular basis with ongoing funding. I'm sure there are more..but these two seem somewhat important.

SSS, I know, but I have little confidence in Westburg at 3rd. He doesn't appear to have the first step quickness or arm. I'd keep him at 2nd only (despite the bad judgement he made on the throw to plate in a recent game). The remainder of the season I would only use Urias and Gunnar at 3rd.

What language are you using to translate? .212 BA (Ortiz), .143 BA (Cowser).....I am not saying that they may not be better with more playing time. But, I will say you shouldn't screw around when a team is deep in a playoff run and has been successful without them. They'll get there chance, but I don't see them increasing the O's playoff odds. Cowser does not look like a CF'er (could change). I was around in Rochester when Grich and Baylor were stuck there. Things will work out for them.

IMO, GRod will not be successful until he finds an "out" pitch other than a K. He was frequently ahead of batters 0-2, 1-2 and is either beaten or took too many pitches to put the batter away. Until he gets a pitch that allows soft contact he'll rarely get into the 6th inning. He pitches, but doesn't pitch smart YET. I hope he's turned it around.

First of all, I don't really care which way the O's go. Mateo has had his opportunity and hasn't used it to make a strong case keep him. It is hard to state IMO though that Ortiz is MUCH more valuable. IMO potential, is not a measurable stat and mostly an emotional belief. Ortiz may be a very good defensive SS, but I doubt he is at Mateo's level. Height alone would seem to indicate not. I haven't seen enough of Ortiz to compare, but Mateo has a gun of an arm. Also, Ortiz does not have the speed or base stealing abilities of Mateo. So, it comes down to Ortiz offensive ability. I hope is minor league stats translates well to the bigs. SSS, but in 34 AB's with the O's, zero walks. his minor league walk rate is about 9.5%. With all that said, I'd rather have Gunnar at SS, Urias at 3rd, Westburg/Frazier at 2nd. I hope the O's don't experiment with Ortiz as a regular SS during a pennant race.

At the beginning of the season, I had the O's second and Jays first. I now believe the O's have a legit shot at winning the East. If I am correct, the Rays have played 50 games at home, where, to date they have been killing it (only 31 home games left. They have 38 games on the road where they are, to date, 3 games over ,500. The O's have been much more balanced in their home/away, wins/loses. They also have a more balanced H/A schedule for their remaining games. It's a long season, a lot can happen. Many here are talking about making changes, that IMO are more than tweaks. They've done better than expected than most predicted through 89 games. If they continue at their current pace, and consistency H/A they will win 98 games. That should do it IMO.

Half their home season is nearly over. Taking an historic look at teams that finished at .800 or better home record for the season, the last was the '61 Yankees..M and M boys. You can try to explain the reason why it is happening with the stats and all, but IMO for this to be happening is very much an outlier (and hopefully begins to change Tuesday and Wednesday).

The Rays are playing an incredible, crazy .816 ball at home, 31-7. For me, it's hard to explain the discrepancy between that and their 20-17 road record. Are they built for success in their home park. Have they played an easier schedule at home thus far? The O's on the other hand have been very consistent in both home and away records. Let's hope the O's can get at least one.

Rays are playing .800 ball at home, 31-7. That equates to 64-17 for the season. That is just absurd IMO. Has any team, historically, been that good at home? It seems so much an outlier that I wonder about a little home cooking going on.

What about early innings pitching melt downs? Long 30 pitch innings (sometimes after breezing through the first one or two). Pitch count up and have trouble getting through more than 5. Many 0-2, 1-2 counts leading to walks or hits. They don't seem to have the pitch that leads to soft contact and get them out of trouble. It gets tiring watching waste pitches a foot outside or head level.

I am more concerned about fielding than his hitting. Very few plays seem routine for him, even pop ups. I really don't see him on the left side. If they insist, stick him at one and look for improvement. If not, give him a 1st baseman glove to work with in the off season.

Drive in two, let in 2 (maybe 3).

I'm sure he'll be fine, but like all he has some minor flaws that are magnified because of his #1 ranking. I wouldn't call his speed "blazing" but it's very good. I think his fielding will improve, his throws have been all over the place. He certainly has a very good eye, but I think great hitters can take the close pitch, drive it and do damage. Both he and Adley have the ability to do damage, not just take walks.

He doesn't have to play anywhere to be paid his contract, like Chris Davis. You have to think he still enjoys the game and can contribute (and show the Yankees they were wrong, but thanks for the $$$$$).

Maybe not offensively, but the DP he started to end the 8th inning was a great play IMO.

Why would the Tigers trade ER?? They are in the hunt in the AL Central despite being 5 games under .500. They are closer to their division lead than the O's are.

The AL Central tanks as a division annually. At present they are near 40 games under .500 a couple years ago they were 120+ games under .500 as the end of the year, yet one of the teams makes the playoffs. Even when the O's "tanked" they had a tough schedule with 40% being played in division. Baseball has some serious issues. The union will never allow salary caps, the owners will never allow salary minimum.

I suggested 15-10 would be great. I agree .500, +, -1 is acceptable.