AlbNYfan

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.

After the 15, the next 25 will tell a lot. 15-10 would be great IMO.

You are all right. The O's being 8-16, it's time to blow it up and play for 2024.

Just asking...who is the emergency catcher on this team?

In the AL Central, you could conceivably have a team under .500 win the division. Not likely, and not likely Detroit, but possible.

He's only 30!! Hard to believe. Tough loss for him today.

Oh, no....you can't get rid of McKenna!! Who's going to pour the Gatorade bucket over the player after a walk off?

After tonight's win, the AL East is 28 games above .500, the Central is 19 games below .500 and the West is 11 games below .500.

I think you are pretty generous with a "solid" or even a "pretty solid" appraisal. About a 1 to 3 strike out ratio? I am curious as to whether this is the first time he has struggled in his professional career. If so, this might be hard for him to figure out and make necessary adjustments.

Last night he was getting calls at the knees. One earlier start he got none of those called. It seems that sometimes the game controls him versus he controlling it. The three strike out inning was impressive. He may have been pissed after that wonderful throw by Gunnar.

I'm not sure Perez is a yikes guy, Akin for sure, Voth was National's Yikes last Spring, but turned it around somewhat later in the season here. Hopefully, he becomes less YIKEY as the season progresses or is replaced.

Just an oddity..10% of the season done and the Rays have only played 3 games in outdoor facilities. They're are killing it, but

The term short hop can be misleading. There are short, medium and long hops. Short and long are the most easily playable IMO. Medium are the toughest and can handcuff you. Then you can get in "hops" online and to the right and left of the 1st baseman. I thought Mateo's was the most catchable, but it was still a 90+ throw in the dirt.