Orioles in position to at least hold fans' attention
The next three weeks will decide for Orioles fans whether they will have a baseball season -- or at least be convinced that there's a reason to keep their minds on baseball instead of counting the days until the Ravens open training camp in Westminster.
The O's salvaged what could have been a disastrous road trip by beating up on their cousins, the Kansas City Royals, and taking three out of four to finish the 10-game swing at 4-6. They return to Camden Yards at 19-19. If told in spring training that this team would be .500 in mid-May, I would have taken it.
Now, comes the crucible of an 18-game stretch where 12 are at home. More importantly, 15 of those 18 games are with divisional rivals -- the Yankees, Red Sox and suddenly threatening Tampa Bay Rays. Sandwiched in there is an upcoming weekend series against Washington. Because of Boston's fast start, the O's are four games out of the division lead but are in a crowded field for second in the wildcard chase (as irrelevant as it may seem at the moment) 2 1/2 games back. If the Orioles can come out of the other side of this still at .500 or even a shade better, it makes June at least worth paying attention to.
It begins tomorrow with a two-game series here -- Jeremy Guthrie and Daniel Cabrera pitch for Baltimore and postseason ace Josh Beckett and Jon Lester for Boston.
You want interesting, at least we've got interesting.
Comments
You know bill with all things considered i am please so far playing 500 ball. We haven't hit a lick so i am pleased with the start. The one thing about this division with the improvement of tampa bay is that all the teams will be knocking each other off. I don't think it will be a runaway winner and don't be surprised if the last place team is only 12 to 15 games out of first place instead of 25 0r 30 games as in year's past.What you are seeing with about a quarter of the season gone , teams are starting to make adjustments to their roster by either adjusting players roles or getting rid of washed up under performing players. I hope the orioles don't wait to much longer getting rid of walker if he doesn't straighten up and i for one don't think that he will
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Bob,
He had you sweating Saturday night, too. Yikes.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: bob lancione | May 12, 2008 11:28 AM
there's not much more than the O's to think about. sorry ... just can't get into the browns ... er, ravens, never could, never can. football is like checkers, baseball like chess.
i do have a favorite football game though. Boise State vs Oklahoma. i downloaded it from iTunes. takes a little over 20 minutes to watch every snap ... refreshing.
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Wow, 20-minute football.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: L. J. Burgess | May 12, 2008 1:54 PM
At least post the emails that you receive
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I do. Did I miss one.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: bob lancione | May 12, 2008 3:41 PM
Bill all kidding aside, if walker doesn't starighten up soon and i mean very soon wouldn't you consider just releasing him.
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Well, as we know he's a one or two batter left handed specialist and he has had some real stinko appearances where the club bailed him out. Here's the deal. He has this niche. If you get rid of him, you need another guy to fill that role. You know that Burres and Olson are needed right now as SPs. Obviously, if he keeps having these kinds of games, he's no good to the team. Three homers in 11 innings from a one-batter guy who should have the edge. Yeah, much more of this and Dave has to figure out something else. If you ask me, this gets resolved when or if Loewen is ready.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: bob lancione | May 12, 2008 5:13 PM