Orioles may beat dismal prediction but not by much
Michael Phelps is polishing his gold medals and the Orioles are polishing off their season in typical fashion meaning that the only sports story in town at the moment is the Ravens and the startling development at quarterback (hopefully, Maryland and Navy football will step up as fall unfolds).
But before we turn our attention to the Ravens and rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, a brief observation about the Orioles, whose fortunes have plummeted over the last two weeks. Since reaching a recent high-water mark of 60-63 after beating Detroit on Aug. 17, the Orioles have dropped 11 of 13 games with the pitching staff imploding. Yesterday's 7-4 loss to Boston included 10 walks by Baltimore pitchers who have collectively lost the plate. Even Jeremy Guthrie, who had been something of a stopper all season, has failed to stem the recent losing tide.
Before the season began, Las Vegas oddsmakers had put the over-under for total wins for the Orioles at 64 1/2. Through the first four-and-a-half months of the season as the Orioles hovered just below .500, it appeared that they would bury that dismal prediction. And with a little more than two dozen games and the record at 62-74, the Orioles should still beat that pessimistic projection. However, with the pitching apparently absolutely hopeless, while the O's should still best 64 1/2, it appears that it won't be by much.
Comments
Bill. The O's are in their annual Sept. swoon so not surprising that they are struggling for wins. Add to that the fact that most of their opponents from here on in have something to play for and it could get real ugly!
I expected a final win total of 65-70 so we won't be far off. What I hoped to see was some progress in the pitching dept but as you noted, we are getting worse. In the long run, maybe it's best that we REALLY hit rock bottom. By that I mean a continuation of double figures in both runs and walks. Upper management will then be forced to do something, rather than turning a blind eye which is easier if we were losing 4-3.
The sad part is that we are getting much better offense than imaginable and if we had any semblance of a MLB rotation we might actually be close to .500.
As we all know, it comes down to pitching and unless McPhail shores this area up we are going to be in for more dismal seasons. Yes, we picked up lots of hurlers in trades but many are injured and/or are relievers.
Good teams like Boston/Tampa will put a real beating on teams that can't pitch and it's hard to watch!!
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Terry,
The point you make is an important one. If there is money to spent at all in free agency, it has to be on pitching.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: TerryP | September 2, 2008 2:23 PM
Bill: I know fans had different opinions on Steve Trachsel, but after he was gone there were NO veteran starters on the team to serve as a mentor/role model for all these young pitchers. I'm a big Andy McPhail supporter but am disappointed that this was not addressed during the year. And while I suspect Greg Maddox and Jamie Moyer will available next year (and at a reasonable cost), I wonder whether the Orioles decision-makers will make that kind of commitment to this young pitching staff in the upcoming year?
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Chuck,
I don't care how rosy a picture anyone paints with pitchers, such as Albers, coming back from injuries, this team needs pitching. A veteran presence is certainly a beginning but also bringing in as many MLB-caliber arms as possible has to be at the top of the free agency agenda. What is apparent is that this has become a game of attrition. You cannot start the year with just 10 arms. You need 10 here and another five in the minors because you're going to need them and if you are anywhere close to contention, you have to pick up another one at the trade deadline. The Orioles need to stockpile arms even if they go to the minors in April and return later.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Chuck in Edgewood | September 3, 2008 5:23 PM