AlbNYfan

Maybe not if the team might play Blue Jays in playoffs.

You certainly have to give Adley time to adjust to the Majors and he'll most likely have some form of success, maybe not enough for many here. People are grasping at any positives he does show. For example, last week he caught a 10-0 shutout, praising what a GREAT game he called... a few days later the O's lost a game by a similar score that he caught, was that a lousy game he called? Calling a good game requires three parts, good scouting, the call and the pitcher hitting the spots. Also, framing...he certainly is "quiet" behind the plate but I've noticed some not so subtle glove movements on borderline pitches. He blocks well and gets rid of the ball quickly and I think the Chirinos signing was a huge plus. He'll grow and learn.

Training has certainly changed, especially weight training, and PROBABLY for the better. The most training players did in the way past, was lifting a case of beer or a pint mug. You think Berra, Williams, B Robinson, Powell, etc did heavy lifting? When did clubhouses first include weights?? Athletes being athletes push themselves and challenge each other. IMO for every minute lifting, there should be the same amount of time stretching the opposing muscles. Does any team practice yoga as part of their fitness program? Pitching is a whole different ballgame. I think kids are encouraged to throw breaking pitches way too early by coaches not necessarily qualified. Kids also don't necessarily follow a program. The day after throwing 70 pitches they may be out with dad or grandpa throwing again. The wear and tear on the arm can be extensive.

I just posted on the Random Thoughts thread, that the O's have played 32 games against teams with records greater than .500, by far the most of any team and have gone 13-19. The Yankees 12 (8-4), Rays 12 (5-7), Minnesota 8 (2-6), Milwaukee 12 (5-7).....W-L records at this point don't necessarily reflect how teams truly rank as a whole. I'll personally be more happy with a more balanced schedule both in terms of opponents and scheduling itself (Yanks 13 games in first 45???, Blue Jays 0???)

While looking at MLB standings, I tend to look at the divisions in terms of number of teams above .500..Today, I noticed that the O's have played 32 games with teams above .500, with a record of 13-19, by far the most of any team in baseball. Division leaders?? Yankees 12 (8-4), Minnesota 8 (2-6), Dodgers 7 (6-1), Milwaukee 11 (5-6), Mets 14 (9-5), Houston 16 (9-7)Tampa 12 (5-7)....FWIW, some of these division leaders may not be as good as they appear and the O's may not be as bad as their last place in the AL East indicates. As the season unfolds, the AL East are likely to have 4 teams (Boston??) above .500, the AL Central 1. I will be happy when the schedules aren't quite so skewed and hope they can arrange a more balanced (in terms of timing games within a division). 13 games with the Yankees out of 45 so far and 0 with Blue Jays?? It makes no sense.

It seemed in the first inning last night the Yankees righthanders were avoiding left field altogether. Why bother playing long ball to left. The first two hits (after 2 outs) were two ground balls beating the shift. Donaldson's in particular...hit'em where they ain't. Likewise, the double was off field and well hit. Are severe shifts for righthanded swingers is a great defensive plan with our left field dimensions? The big boys will still go for the bombs, but some will adjust and go off field more.

Turn the Corner?? I don't rant (usually). The game is simple, both teams get 27 outs. Today's game, it was 27 outs vs 18. The O's need to play smart. Hayes sliding into first with two outs is DUMB baseball. I remember Earl talking about Fred Lynn crashing into a wall to make a play..Earl said something to the effect...you might make a great play, you crash and get injured and you are out for days. Rest???, 19 games in 18 days?? Play the game. I will NEVER say anyone in MLB sucks. I will say there are many that are looking for a last payday...I don't care for them on the roster.

30% of the population never let facts get in the way of their beliefs.

The O's will have played the Yankees 13 (of 19??) on May 25th, that's through 45 games if I counted correctly. In any circumstances this is wrong. Teams within a division should play each other somewhat equally/quarter of the season. If a team is missing two top starters on the 60 day DL one opponent may not see the best version of that team for most the season. (Also, I'm forced to watch the O's on YES because MLB is blocked here when O's play Yankees).

Moving from AL Central to AL East might not help his numbers.

I'm sure it was that. I'm just alluding to two things...he jumped right into the majors and the wear on his arm at an early age. I don't recall if he even rehabbed in the minors or had to do it with the big club. I also wasn't thrilled with how they developed Gausman, or didn't.

What Bundy could have been?? IIRC, he signed a ML contract after he was drafted. I believe that MLB changed the rules the following years. Also, I believe he threw an outrageous number of innings in HS. His father was a strong proponent of long toss on off days. I liked him..thought he had great mound presence, but I think he would have benefited from some MiL experience before going to the show..

Mateo is pretty solid at shortstop IMO, with solid mechanics....throws, footwork, no flash just well coached. His overhead the head catch and throw to first last night was as good as it gets. He had to be thinking the guy was going to be way off base while going after the ball. Might have had six dp's...Odor kind of ole'd that hard hit ball in the 4th.

Well, I certainly like Gutierrez better than the guy the O's had the first half of last year. BTW, bounced throw?? Should Mancini have gotten it (facetious reminder of last week's discussion on Mountcastle)? I am not a fan of Elias signings of players like Odor or Owings as place holders. And I am happier with Urias at 2nd. Nevin may not be a solution, but he's a better solution IMO. Martin, I'm not sure. I expect any ML'er to be able to catch the ball, you don't let poor D beat you.

Unwatchable!!!

Yes, it was. Good catchers will always make the just in case tag. Just like infielders do at 2nd and 3rd on tag plays. I suspect, at the Oakland Park you see catcher's more active because of the immense amount foul territory. You also see 2nd basemen moving to back up first on infield throws.

IIRC Wells had 2 strikes on every batter that eventually hurt him. His waste pitches were absurd and predictable. Head high, stupid. I don't believe in WASTE pitches, you have a guy down 0-2, 1-2 go after him. Benboom made lousy calls. Neuse's three hits were all on the same pitch, off speed, low, outside which he stroke to right field. The O's were shifted to the left side. Was anyone awake anywhere?? Benboom?? Pitching coach?? Anybody?? LOUSY execution. The O's didn't adjust. Nice piece of hitting.

It was a bad call. But, Mancini was LAZY.... we teach LL'ers to turn away from 2nd base, Mancini did not. He also made no attempt to get back to bag quickly. Secondly, Mancini got mad after reviewing it on a dugout Ipod. Just stupid, lazy baseball by Mancini, the umpire and the 1st base coach.

Of course, the irony of this is that Mountcastle was moved from 3rd base because of a poor arm. Now, he is taking blame for not making the play on a truly poor throw from Urias. Mountcastle is not the smoothest first baseman, for sure, but should improve. However, maybe not in style points.

Wrong question....Was there a need to bounce throw that ball? The answer is NO!! He had plenty of time. He even tapped the ball into the glove before the throw. Bounce throws have many potential deviations...the field, the field's hardness, familiarity to the field, the throw's spin, the distance the ball hits the ground to the first baseman, velocity of the throw. Short hops are one thing and manageable. This was a bad throw and if that what Urias has to do to make the play, get him out of there. Number 2, Hardy bounced his throws ALL the time?? I guess Belanger, Bordick and Machado did too?? Really. Bouncing a throw IS NOT the preferred play. 3, It doesn't matter, you don't often win games with 1 run. At this point the this team's offense is very offensive.

Yep, defense coughs one up, and they did. Personally, I hate the praise given to players that are versatile and "can play" multiple positions. They may be "adequate" but every player has a "best" position. I don't care for Urias at 3rd, and Odor, I really don't know enough about him. Some here want Gutierrez gone (can't hit??), but he can play third. AND speaking of "Coughing Up", the offense coughs it up every night. 22 runs in 10 games!!!??? 4 HR's!!! Mancini 1 RBI. People here love the idea of a Mancini trade and getting a decent return, really?? The pitching has been marvelous...how many innings have they pitched with a lead?? How many with a comfortable lead (I count 1). Yes, the D coughs one up, but when 2 runs/per game seems to be the offensive max, the O's have little chance.

It's nice that you can find something to rag on even in victory.

The "everyday" lineup is sooooooooo much better. 2 runs/game doesn't cut it.

Wait until they hack the audio and relay it to the batter. Tech may make cheating easier!! There are always ways. I have sympathies for the play by play announcers. I also wonder how many pitches and locations the catcher will have to record with a 13 man staff? Just basic, there are a minimum at least 7 locations and I can think of almost as many not so basic. If a pitcher has 4 pitches...you get the picture. I don't consider a runner on base that "steals" a sign cheating. I do consider a "10th" player sitting somewhere in the stadium and relaying pitches unacceptable.

I'm usually somewhat optimistic in the poll. That hasn't worked out, so, I'll go the pessimistic route. I remember 2018, many were pretty optimistic when the season started, thinking a WC was possible....115 loses. I'll take this team's little victories and enjoy them compared to that mess. Also, 13 games with the Yanks in the first 6 weeks. Who does that? My MLB gets blacked out and have to suffer with YES.