Showalter announces that Joe Saunders will start for #Orioles tomorrow

[mi_oriolesfan]

FWIW, Saunders gave up 1 ER and 7 hits in 7.0 innings in his last start in Arlington in 2010. So it isn't like he's been terrible there every time.

Any Given Friday. That's how the saying goes, right?

Hmmmmmmm.

[mi_oriolesfan]

It was fun while it lasted. Glad the team planned out things so Hammel couldn't pitch. Sorry to be so negative, but I have zero confidence in Saunders. I hope he proves me wrong.

Shut up. Drink a beer. Put a smile on. It's postseason time and it's time for some October Orioles magic.

(and the shut up was not meant as disrespect). :beerchug1:

[RevOlution]

Joe, it's your...

[video=youtube_share;f_7prdLqWVA]http://youtu.be/f_7prdLqWVA

Buck has decided. :thumbsup1:

I have no doubt, that Buck is going to do everything he can possibly do, to have the O's play in front of us fans, at the Yard.

[centralpaosfan]

Shut up. Drink a beer. Put a smile on. It's postseason time and it's time for some October Orioles magic.

(and the shut up was not meant as disrespect). :beerchug1:

All good... I know what you meant. I'm sort of freaking out and needed that slap across the face.

[Rex Thunder]

The beauty is that if, IF, we win, we will have a healthy and ready to roll jason hammell, and our starting rotation will be set for the playoffs!

[weams]

You know it is going to come down to Koji vs. Davis don't you

[crissfan172]

Well, the team has gone against the odds and the stats all season, so why stop now? Texas hits left-handed starters (.282/.343/.455/.798) better than right handed starters (.269/.330/.442/.772) and we know Saunders has struggled against them. Maybe Buck just thinks it's too much to ask Steve Johnson to start this game. Either way, I hope he's on a very short leash and I expect to see Steve Johnson if Saunders struggles at all.

Meh...they're not really that much better against lefties. Higher average, but less power.

[Dr. Unk]

Sigh. I trust Buck though. He must have a good reason, other than Johnson being a rookie. I agree with having a short leash though.

[Big#3fan]

I was fine until I saw this. Even the guys on Sirius are seriously questioning this move. I know I'm not the manager and Buck is, but this move should be questioned. Darvish vs. Saunders. I don't like it one bit. And by quick leash, I hope you mean 1 inning, because I'm not sure Joe gets out of the 1st. And I'm not usually a doom and gloom poster.

[dtk9119]

According to some of the beat reporters on Twitter, part of the reason for this move is Buck is still a little "concerned" about Johnson's knee.

[jaygdevil11]

This is Darvish first MLB postseason start, who knows how he will respond. At least we know Joe will not panic after starting a postseason game in 3 of the last 4 years.

[DrungoHazewood]

Go Hokies!

[BMann]

I'm on board with this.

It's the most pressure-packed single game this franchise has faced in 15 years. I'd rather have a veteran with 78 career wins take the mound than the kid with 4. Kinda sucks that those are the only two realistic options, though. I guess he could start Hunter, but I'd rather see Saunders on the hill.

But Buck obviously can't pull his usual "Stick with Saunders! (way too long)" routine Friday night. I'd best be seeing the Buck gun-finger as soon as that third Texas runner crosses the plate (if it's before, say, the 6th inning). I have a feeling we'll do OK against Darvish, but we can't fall 4-5 runs behind early; then again, the A's did yesterday...

[OrlandoBird]

Saunders last start against Texas in Arlington was in 2010. He went 7 inning and gave up 1 run and 7 hits. Hopefully he can do that again.

[YardBirds13]

Go Hokies!

If Saunders performs anything like Virginia Tech usually does in a big game, we are in huge trouble.