How can the hitters adjust to the offspeed stuff?

[Ori-Al]

Obviously, Orioles' opponents have exploited the O's hitters vulnerability to offspeed pitches. What can they do to adjust? Because if they don't, this season will not end the way they, and we, want it to.

[Ori-Al]

The first thing they can do is stop swinging toward the ground! If the ball is that far down, it is not a strike.

[Drifter]

Along the same lines, I've often wondered if the O's have an advance scout, or do they go by the book, when it comes to opposing pitcher count tendencies, location, strengths .. etc etc.

As an aggressive team, yes, there will be games when everyone is having an off night, but damn, sometimes we look like we have NO idea what the opposing pitcher is doing.

[LookitsPuck]

Didn't Duquette cut the number of scouts?

[waroriole]

Didn't Duquette cut the number of scouts?

I'm sure you'll let us know if he did. Probably at least 4-5 times a day.

[Three Run Homer]

I've been a fan of this team since I moved to the area in 1996, and for as far back as I remember this team has struggled against breaking and offspeed pitches. Jamie Moyer used to beat this team like a drum. I don't understand why the same problem can afflict this team year after year, despite changes in personnel, hitting coaches, scouting and other management.

[OsEatAlEast]

The only thing that helped me when I played was stepping up in the box while looking to hit the fastball up the middle. But the last time I played was in high school. It's probably a little different for ML ballplayers.

[Mendoza Line]

The Orioles hitters should be featured in Clint Eastwood's movie, "Trouble with the Curve"

[OsEatAlEast]

The Orioles hitters should be featured in Clint Eastwood's movie, "Trouble with the Curve"

I'm starting to wonder if the whole team has a shrine to Jobu. They certainly look like they went to the school of Cerrano.

[pastorfan]

Along the same lines, I've often wondered if the O's have an advance scout, or do they go by the book, when it comes to opposing pitcher count tendencies, location, strengths .. etc etc.

As an aggressive team, yes, there will be games when everyone is having an off night, but damn, sometimes we look like we have NO idea what the opposing pitcher is doing.

Cleveland and all other teams have taken note. At this point, they need to look for and sit on the off-speed pitch instead of looking for the fastball. That is opposite of how one usually approaches an at bat, but I think they have to do this going into tonight's game--at least to begin the game. A few bombs or walks and all things will be back to normal.

[clapdiddy]

They need to make a conscientious effort to try to hit the ball the other way and stop freaking swinging for the fences on every pitch.

[weams]

Didn't Duquette cut the number of scouts?

He got rid of the scouts that were golfing all the time. Yes.

[weams]

I'm sure you'll let us know if he did. Probably at least 4-5 times a day.

Instead of having a professional scouting department, as most organizations do, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has decided to severely minimize that faction as he emphasizes video evaluation on the pro level and a need for more scouting in the amateur ranks.

The club’s two big league scouts, Bruce Kison and Dave Engle, will continue in their roles. However, the six remaining pro scouts, most of whom who had specific organizations assigned to them, have been offered jobs as amateur scouts, preparing reports on draft-eligible players. That list includes Jim Thrift, who was the Orioles’ advance scout – he would watch and then issue reports on teams the Orioles were about to play – and Lee MacPhail IV, who had been the pro scouting director. He was demoted to pro scout last month. ...

Although it is not unprecedented that an organization would sever much of it pro scouting operation – the Washington Nationals scaled back dramatically a few years ago – it is unusual. But Duquette has shown more of a desire for statistical analysis and will be using more video for scouting purposes.

He did. Andy MacPhail's nephew as well.

[NashLumber]

The only thing that helped me when I played was stepping up in the box while looking to hit the fastball up the middle. But the last time I played was in high school. It's probably a little different for ML ballplayers.

This has been my thought on this as well on some game threads. That or trying a heavier bat. I remember reading in a Brooks bio that it worked for him (the latter - it helps you go the other way and not try to pull the ball).

[Mendoza Line]

Cleveland and all other teams have taken note. At this point, they need to look for and sit on the off-speed pitch instead of looking for the fastball. That is opposite of how one usually approaches an at bat, but I think they have to do this going into tonight's game--at least to begin the game. A few bombs or walks and all things will be back to normal.

Cleveland apparently didn't take very good notes. They decided to pitch McAllister against us, throwing almost all fastballs. I don't think it's completely a coincidence we were able to score some runs.