A New Hope

[Moose Milligan]

Wieters + Reimold + Hardy - Matusz - De Aza - Cabrera = a rejuvenated team. Pitching staff looks better. Bullpen looks better. Offense is clicking.

Never been a big Wieters fan but there's no denying that he's a vital cog to this team. He's shortened his stroke and he's a better hitter now. Reimold, provided he can stay healthy, is effective and brings a better dynamic to the lineup.

Schoop could be back soon and Wesley Wright, too. Tillman looks like he's settling down a little bit compared to where he was earlier this year. 6 straight wins, the chance to sweep back to back series against the Sox and Yanks.

Things are suddenly looking up.

[crissfan172]

Flash being back has helped too, and I'm pretty sure Matusz's absence has had zero impact, but that's just me.

[Moose Milligan]

Flash being back has helped too, and I'm pretty sure Matusz's absence has had zero impact, but that's just me.

Matuz's absence probably has had zero impact, but I sure don't miss him.

[eddie83]

Poor Matusz gets knocked even in a positive thread.

[TonySoprano]

Since Nolan Reimold 5-0

[Rich Mac]

I really thought this was going to be a Star Wars thread.

[TonySoprano]

I really thought this was going to be a Star Wars thread.

Well, we did just destroy the Evil Empire the last 2 games

And the Death Star explodes. Win, Jedi

[ShaneDawg85]

It's amazing what happens when you score runs.

[25 Nuggets]

I really thought this was going to be a Star Wars thread.

http://www.starwars.com/games-apps/star-wars-crawl-creator/?557cf6ece4b0c8878d188458

It has been a poor May at Camden Yards. Lack of hitting has left the fans in despair and the team staring at last place in the AL East.

Facing a home-town invasion by a combined effort of the villainous Boston Red Sox and the Evil Empire of New York, the team seeks a return to health of several of former champions, led by the intrepid catcher Matt Wieters.

In June the assault began. Boston's wave of insurgents were repelled 3-0, and the Empire's first two attacks have proved fruitless. But the final attack headed by Admiral Adam Warren may still put a dent into Baltimore's hopes, and keep the evil Yankees atop the division...

[Bradysburns]

I'm with you, Moose. I was a HUGE Wieters fan when he first came to the majors. But over the years, I grew impatient and - ultimately - settled into a kind of shrugging acceptance of his skill set. However, since his return this has been a different team. Adding Hardy, our anchor up the middle, R. Fla, et al... and with Schoop and Gausman both coming back... Gulp. Suddenly, things have gotten very interesting around here.

All that AND what appears to be a promising draft? I'll take it.

[sportsfan8703]

Flash being back has helped too, and I'm pretty sure Matusz's absence has had zero impact, but that's just me.

Flash has been huge. Our defense is back to where it needs to be. With Reimold filling a whole in LF, now we just need a RF. If only Parmelee could play RF. I don't want to mess up the IF with moving Davis to RF. Right now it looks like it's going to be a slow developing trade market unless you overpay. Too many teams are still in it. You probably have just the Phillies and Brewers who are out of it. Oakland still has a shot.

[allquixotic]

Depends on who you mean, in regards to our starting not being good. A lot of our starters have been pretty stingy over the past one to two cycles through the rotation, but a lot of that is thanks to a defense that is now reaching 2014 form.

That said, if they're able to put the ball in play so that our defense has a chance, at least that counts for something.

I'm satisfied with the current performance of about two of our five starters. I think the other three have had more success than their pitch quality has suggested, which means they need to improve a bit if they intend to keep pitching like that -- they won't continue to be "lucky" with the defense forever.

[Roll Tide]

Yeah ...I have to agree the the SP has been better. But you can't dismiss that the team is scoring more runs now also. It's no small coincidence that the team got hot when Wieters and Riemold showed up.

[wildcard]

Depends on who you mean, in regards to our starting not being good. A lot of our starters have been pretty stingy over the past one to two cycles through the rotation, but a lot of that is thanks to a defense that is now reaching 2014 form.

That said, if they're able to put the ball in play so that our defense has a chance, at least that counts for something.

I'm satisfied with the current performance of about two of our five starters. I think the other three have had more success than their pitch quality has suggested, which means they need to improve a bit if they intend to keep pitching like that -- they won't continue to be "lucky" with the defense forever.

Chen, Gonzo and Jimenez have been very good. Mike Wright has been good in his 4 starts. Tillman and Norris haven't been consistently good. But the O's even win with them pitching with this offense.