Bird Watching - O's Sweep Reds To Cap Off a 9-2 Home Stand, Head To Tampa And Boston

9/05/2014 6:35 PM

Remember two weeks ago when the Cubs swept the Orioles and some people acted like the sky was falling? Oh how things have changed. The Orioles swept the Reds to go 9-2 on their home stand and now make their way to Tampa and Boston with a 9.5 game lead. The Birds are now 82-57 and are just two games behind the Angels for best overall record, yeah you read that right. They also just clinched their third winning season in a row, but don’t break out the champagne yet, we got bigger fish to fry.

Players Heating Up

Chris Davis- Yes, that Chris Davis. A.L. strikeout leader and lowest average of all qualified players Chris Davis. He isn’t putting up anything close to his 2013 numbers, but his power has started to show up recently. He has eight home runs and 20 rbi since the beginning of August. His power numbers this year aren’t terrible, but 25 hr and 71 rbi through August will always look bad when you go for 53 and 138 the year before.

If Davis can get his shit together and finish out the year strong he makes this team that much more dangerous. Every few weeks he has these flashes of 2013 and we think he’s back to his old tricks, the oppo home runs, doubles to the gap…only to slump again. Any offense he provides now is pretty much a bonus. They’ve won all year with him being this bad, so imagine the damage this team could do if he did stay hot for a month or two? Seems like he’s on the verge of it, lets hope so.

Jonathan Schoop- Johnny Baseball es en fuego. Some rookies hit a wall in August and September, Schoop is busting right through it. Schoop probably played the best series of his life against the Reds, batting .400 with 3 bombs. Even with his .222 average this year, this rookie has played a huge role for the Orioles.

Second base was a huge question mark going into the season, but now its clear Schoop is the future. His fielding is fantastic and he has one of the strongest arms around, but it’s his bat that gets peoples attention. The kid is STRONG, he doesn’t get cheated on his home runs. Who has the longest home run at OPACY this season? Davis? Cruz? Jones? Nope, that honor belongs to Schoop. He seems to be heating up at the right time for the Orioles and is looking to show the MLB that he is the next big second baseman. Not afraid to admit I have a full on man crush on him.

Miguel Gonzalez- Remember less than a month ago when Gonzalez was sent down (because he had options, I know) to give Ubaldo Jimenez another chance? Pretty funny to think about that now. Gonzalez has been pretty consistent this year, but he was out of this world in his complete game shutout the other night.

Gonzalez was huge down the stretch in 2012 helping the O’s get back to the playoffs that season, and looks to do the same this year. In 11 career September and October starts, he’s 7-2 with a 2.36 ERA. With Kevin Gausman struggling lately, look for Gonzalez to take advantage and show Buck that he deserves to be a playoff starter.

Upcoming Schedule

And down the stretch they come! 23 games left with a 9.5 game lead. Nothing is set in stone, but I’m feeling pretty good about the division. Their magic number is down to 15. They control their own destiny- don’t have to worry about other teams losing, just continue to win, do your job. 90-95 wins is definitely a possibility right now.

Now the Birds head to Tampa for three, then up to Camden North for 3. I think the O’s take both of these series and look to extend their lead to double digits with the Yanks and the Jeter parade coming to town soon. Jump on board now and cheer this team on as they go for their first division title since 1997.