Wednesday, July 6: Orioles try to get their first series sweep since last July vs Nats

[PHRESH]

1 minute ago, SteveA said:

Can McKenna come through again with two outs???

[Moshagge3]

Pretty bad showing by the offense. Hopefully the third time through the lineup is a charm.

[Moshagge3]

The fifth inning is the danger inning in this series.

[SteveA]

1 minute ago, Moshagge3 said:

The fifth inning is the danger inning in this series.

Yep, this is a big inning.   And it's mostly on Watkins.   Given who is available tonight in the pen, I don't think Hyde can have a quick hook here.   Looking at who we have to pitch, you don't want to go to the pen in the 5th and have to cover more than 4 innings (while probably saving at least one arm just in case of extra innings).

Even if he gives up a couple runs here, I think Watkins needs to finish the 5th.  His pitch count is still low.

[SteveA]

Great job Watkins!   Pitch count still low.

[Hallas]

it's pretty inconsequential because he popped out on the next pitch, but that "check swing" call on the bunt attempt by Culberson was pretty weird.

[PHRESH]

"hard to get anything in this O's outfield" says Kevin after Texas just hit two doubles to the outfield 

[SteveA]

Now we're watching kids eating cotton candy.

It's an official game, in case the rain decides to take a surprise turn and hit the ballpark hard after all.

[Moshagge3]

3 minutes ago, SteveA said:

Great job Watkins!   Pitch count still low.

If he can get through one more it's set up for Sulser-Perez-Lopez. But can the offense do anything without the Rangers defense handing it to them?

[Il BuonO]

1 minute ago, PHRESH said:

"hard to get anything in this O's outfield" says Kevin after Texas just hit two doubles to the outfield 

Yup, his finger on the pulse as usual.

[SteveA]

Just now, Moshagge3 said:

If he can get through one more it's set up for Sulser-Perez-Lopez. But can the offense do anything without the Rangers defense handing it to them?

Otto won't be around much longer.   We'll get someone else to take some swings against pretty soon.

[Hallas]

3 minutes ago, PHRESH said:

"hard to get anything in this O's outfield" says Kevin after Texas just hit two doubles to the outfield 

The only person that could have gotten to those balls is Quicksilver.  xBA was .890 and .960 on those balls.

[SteveA]

6 minutes ago, Hallas said:

The only person that could have gotten to those balls is Quicksilver.  xBA was .890 and .960 on those balls.

Yeah, people are being a little hard on Ben here.   Our outfield IS good and they DO cover a lot of ground, as long as Mancini isn't out there and Santander is not gimpy.  Pointing that out after McKenna goes a long way to make a play doesn't mean you are Mike Bordick/Jim Hunter.

[Riggodrill44]

That was an outstanding 6 innings from Watkins!

[SteveA]

9 minutes ago, Moshagge3 said:

If he can get through one more it's set up for Sulser-Perez-Lopez. But can the offense do anything without the Rangers defense handing it to them?

Tied his career high in innings and still just around 70 pitches.   Probably let him start the 7th, but have Sulser or Perez up depending on whether the guys due to bat 3rd-6th are primarily RH or LH.

I don't know how he's doing it.   But I'm enjoying it.