Bird Watching - News and Notes On Your First Place Baltimore Orioles

5/09/2014 8:05 PM

Watch out, the Orioles are starting to catch fire. Coming off a sweep of the Rays, the Birds have won three in a row, and six of eight games. They also sit atop the A.L. East with an 18-14 record. The East is a cluster fuck right now with all five teams separated by less than five games, it seems like no one wants to take it. Why not the Birds?

With upcoming series against the Lastros, Tigers, Royals, Pirates, and Indians, why can’t they start to run away with it?

Offense

People are still worried about the offense and I feel like I’ve been saying this for weeks now, but give it time. It’s getting warmer out and at Camden that means the ball will start flying. I’m not worried about J.J. not having a homer yet, or Jones only having three. They’ll each end up with over 20 dingers and we won’t even remember this little stretch happened. Also, the lineup hasn’t been complete since last year.

Manny and Crush have yet to appear in the same game, but when they do, watch out. With Manny in the 2 spot, you can put Davis, Jones, or Cruz, who is tearing it up right now, behind him. Pretty much the new Murderers Row. This is the best lineup in the league when healthy and they’ll catch fire soon, book it.

Ubaldo

Pitching

This is what will hold the Orioles back. Pitching. As Buck says, “I like our guys,” but something has to change. Whether it means Gausman comes up and takes a spot, or moving Zach Britton, who has been untouchable out of the pen, into the rotation, something has to change. If they want to stick around and compete with the big boys of the East, pitching has to improve.

Chris Tillman has been consistently good and Jimenez has won his last two starts after losing all of his starts in April. The back end is where it gets shaky. Bud Norris has gotten stronger as the year goes on and is pulling his weight. Miguel Gonzalez just doesn’t have it anymore, almost like he is a right-handed Wei-Yin Chen. Both struggle to see the 6^th inning. Bullpen is in for a long night when Chen or Gonzo pitches. Wouldn’t surprise me if either of these guys finds a role in the bullpen soon, if I’m guessing, it’s Gonzo.

Speaking of the bullpen, it has been pretty good this year. Britton and Matusz have been outstanding at stranding runners. O’Day has been lights out as always as well. Closer Tommy Hunter has earned the name Heart Attack Hunter, but he’s getting the job done. 10 saves in 11 chances is phenomenal but one clean inning wouldn’t kill you, would it Tommy?

Nick Markakis

Nick Markakis, Professional Hitter, is back to his old ways. Currently he’s in a 15 game hit streak and has hit in 18 out of the last 19 games. Not too shabby. Plays a mean right field too, very underrated. Not sure there is another guy I’d want playing in right field for my team.

Matt Wieters

We can step back from the ledge and exhale, as the Orioles dodged a bullet this week with the news that Matt Wieters will not need surgery to fix the discomfort in his throwing elbow. Thank god, I’m not sure if the Orioles could afford another injury to a key player. Wieters has been fantastic all year, hitting .337 with five home runs and 18 RBIs, as well as playing his normal stellar defense.

I’ll be hitting up a few games in the next few weeks, come kick it with me at Pickles. Birds Fly High. Let’s go O’s.