The Orioles' winning ways were great while they lasted (a week and a half). Unfortunately, unless we start to get anything resembling good starting pitching, the laughingstock that they made of themselves last night will be the norm for the rest of the season - which is why nobody wants to come here regardless of the price. Oh well, there's always next year (or decade).

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I'm not nearly as fatalistic as that, but there are going to be some tough nights. I think you knew that going in, but six wins artificially raised some expectations.

I think if Ryan Freel is so upset over his playing time, he should take his salary and donate it to the O's RBI program, in exchange for being placed on waivers. I think the O's would trade him in a second, so they can bring up Lou, but nobody wants Freel at this stage of the season.

Pete, I am not one to be upset at a guy who wants to play, but Freel didn't exactly light up Florida, as that turtle you saved was more of an athletic move than anything Freel did in Florida.

Pete,if things get too ugly tonight you can always go rearrange your silk shirt collection.From loudest to quietest left to right.

The only thing that could make this even more of a reverse lock is if Moeller was catching.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Fair point, except about the shirts, which are still at the dry cleaners. Haven't had a chance to pick them up.

Hey never mind the movie-NHL playoffs!!! It's raining here and just finished watching the Caps/Rangers game..although I hate the Rangers and their smug coach Torterella, they played a great game. On tap next, Habs/Bruins and then Flames/Hawks...
I try not to check in on the O's score but I know it's like trying not to watch a train wreck...
Pete-Any idea if there is any market at all for a guy like Freel? Could we get a 5th starter or is that too much???

............................................................................................
Pete's reply: No, Freel isn't going to get you a fifth starter. Maybe a prospect or two.

Pete,

Eaton won't last 4 innings! It's a shame too because I don't think Baez is available either!

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I bet Eaton does last four innings, but you're not going to enjoy them.

Thanks for offering to take the bullet tonight. I have a better idea. Can someone make sure the entire front office watches these games? I'm must assume that at least Andy MacPhail realizes how dreadful it is to put up with this year after year after year. While the O's pursue this plan to simultaneously grow 4 or so pitchers into a staff (what are the odds of that?), I guess the fan's plan must be to continue to ignore the Orioles (sit on our wallets and watch the occasional game from home) until we start seeing some results.

............................................................................................
Pete's reply: That's your choice, but the "grow four" plan has gotten two teams to the World Series in the last four years (Detroit and Tampa Bay).

First time blogger, long time reader. Im sick and tired of these O's fans who are sick of this starting rotation. This team, even with all of its young, emerging talent wouldn't make the playoffs anyway. These fans need to calm down and realize that this season is supposed to be lost and that with time, maybe next year, we will have our good "prospects" up in the majors and pitching. Even then, they might not be good, it depends on how they can handle the big leagues. O's fans need to chill and accept that this is not the year for them to win the world series. You agree Pete?

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Yes, I do, but you wouldn't be a fan if you didn't want them to do better. Friday night was tough for a lot of people to stomach, because it really wasn't because the team has a bad pitching staff. Guthrie is one of the good pitchers, and he blew a seven-run lead in about two bad innings. That's frustrating.

I'm not a gambling man but if I were I would probably not be putting too much on the Oriolles tonight. This may well be a textbook lock!

As for Adam Eaton, I think virtually everyone is being unfair to him. He is a proven major league starter. Not a stud or an ace, but his career numbers definitely qualify him to pitch every fifth day. I can see why they signed him. He's just off to a bad start this season but I do not think the Orioles will be releasing anyone with career numbers like his this season:

GS^^^W^^L^^^IP^^^BB^^^K^^ERA
194^^^68^64^1134^^423^^826^^4.82

The sample size we have on Adam Eaton is so small. Let's give him a chance!

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: That's fair and I admire your even-handedness, but we all watched Adam in spring and he was unimpressive for awhile, not just one regular season start. I still think you've got to give him the benefit of the doubt, but the Phillies ate his huge contract for a reason.

It has been rough going for several pitching staffs. Today the Yankees pitches have thrown 170 pitches just to get through the FIFTH inning ! On the other hand you have Haren of the Dbacks who is 0-3 and hasn't given up more than 2 runs in a start.
I don't mind the long season of baseball but I do greatly miss days of 2-2.5 hr games. Anything pushing 3+ hrs is dreadful.

No one felt the pitching would be a strength before the season started, and I doubt anyone believed the hitting would be as good as it is. There is a lot of pitching talent in the minors, and the cream has to be allowed to rise to the top, not shoved there before it is ready. When the pitching starts to settle in, and it won't take as long as some may think, this will be a very dangerous team. The young hitters are just going to continue to get better, forcing pitchers to give the vets better pitches to hit. There are going to be times where you'll want to pull your hair out, but they are going to be a lot of fun.

Pete,

Hate to continue to be the devils advocate but since were trying to support "Fair and Balanced" blogging I would note your comment "Pete's reply: That's your choice, but the "grow four" plan has gotten two teams to the World Series in the last four years (Detroit and Tampa Bay)" worked out well for one season in Detroit and certainly don't envy them for that. Also if memory serves me correctly they spent a lot of money too!

If I heard Chuck Thompson say it once I heard him say it a million times, "How big of a lead is safe in Fenway Park?" Obviously not seven runs this year for this team.

Re Freel: I can understand a guy wanting to play, what I can't understand is trading a servicable young pitcher for a utility guy that doesn't want to be a utility guy on team that is supposed to be developing young players, which also had Chris Gomez, Ty Wigginton and Oscar Salazar in camp..

Don"t say I didn't tell you so!

For the love of GOD... don't let Adam Eaton start anymore.

I had never seen Eaton pitch prior to this year. I have seen absolutely enough! I am truely starting to wonder about McPhails decision making process at this point. Granted all this may pay off down the road when the young guns come up (but that is no guarentee), but at least put competitive pitching out there this year. Just like any other product you spend cheaply you get a cheap product in return.

after 3 innings adam eaton has given up 5 runs. enough of adam eaton. send him on his way.

It's time to make some move ! These BS Pitchers need to go...I can throw faster than 85 and I have Pulmonary Hypertension!!!!!!! CUT Adam Eaton & Brian Bass and send Radhames Liz back to Norfolk bring up Brad Bergensen & David Hernandez & (Chris Waters till Rich Hill is ready.

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Bergesen will pitch Tuesday, but Eaton probably will get one more start.

C'mon Peter the Rays and Detroit went from worst to first in one year and with a couple of overpaid free agent pitchers we could be incontention this year . The offense is there and the fans deserve it even if PA had to overpay for rental pitchers .This starting crew shows how unprofessional the management is and has been.Where's our Kenny Rogers ?

And for Eaton and Bass and Hendrickson we gave up on Penn? Whose kidding who?

I made a comment a week ago about Penn vs. Eaton. Remind me again why we took a shot on Eaton and gave up Penn? I think Penn is younger, has better stuff and could have possibly helped bridge the gap between the old and the baby birds. Instead we only have a shot to win 4 out of 5 games. Any idea of sending Eaton to the bullpen and letting someone else get a shot?

Would Waters really be worse than Eaton et al? I certainly don't think he's any great pitcher-in-waiting, but he showed he can pitch a decent game now and then. That's more than can be said about three-fifths of the O's rotation

When can we start the "Sign Pedro Martinez" campaign? Sign him in order to give the O's bats a decent chance of winning every fifth day. I don't know how Roberts, Markakis and Huff don't get discouraged knowing that every night they need to have a 3 for 4 night with a couple of RBI's to even have a chance of winning a game.

Hunter.... I wonder if he actually listens to himself? Nah, that would be too cruel.

Are some of you posters completely stupid? If there is not enough playing time for Freel then there is not enough playing time for Montanez or Reimold either. The Orioles have enough offense.

A 14th pitcher would be more helpful than Montanez or Reimold if they were to DFA or trade Freel. Mora can replace the 14th pitcher when he comes back and they can continue with 13 pitchers.