Uehara's next big test
Koji Uehara is 2-0 going into today's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, but it's hard to feel to confident after he gave up seven runs his last time out to raise his ERA to 7.20. If you want a little more uncertainty, he'll be pitching to Chad Moeller for the first time and Cesar Izturis is getting the day off.
The Orioles are 0-3 with Moeller in the starting lineup, but I wouldn't hold that against him. He has largely been assigned the lesser members of the rotation -- until today -- and plays in all the games that manager Dave Trembley uses to rest some of the regulars.
Guess we'll know more today. Undefeated pitcher throwing to a winless catcher. Something's got to give.
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Comments
Will we see an effort to try and win the game, or will we have our "B" team out there today? I understand putting in your backup catcher for a day game after a night game with Zaun being 37(?). But I just have this feeling that we will see Freel at third base and Andino at short.
Posted by: Brian | April 19, 2009 12:28 PM
I think Eaton lives in an alternate world or is extremely arrogant.
""This is a new year," he said. "That's last year, and if you guys want to talk about last year, I also won a World Series ... but that's not here nor there."
"I also won a World Series"??? No he was lucky to be on a World Series team. From my research he NEVER pitched ONCE in the postseason last season. Zero innings. I'm guessing he wasn't even on the roster but I'm not sure about that.
He didn't win anything for the Phillies, they were fortunate enough to overcome his horrible pitching.
Posted by: Rich | April 19, 2009 12:33 PM
I think Koji surprises us today and he throws a strong game. He seems to have good command so the RedSOx can't just wait for walks and they haven't seen him before so maybe that works to our advantage. The O's have hit Lester hard before so let's say 7-4 O's.
Looking around MLB it sure seems like pitching has fallen by the wayside. Lot's of blowouts/double digit runs etc..Any idea why that is? I mean aren't kids playing ball anymore and/or has pitching in general become an afterthought?
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Pete's reply: There have been some super blowouts in the early weeks, but I don't know if -- other than that handful of games -- the averages are really up. Haven't checked, but I will at some point.
Posted by: TerryP | April 19, 2009 12:35 PM
With Zaun and Izturis hitting poorly, at least there's a potential upgrade in offense today (not hard to do considering they're batting .133 and .162 respectively).
- Hayden Penn: 5.1IP 0 ER 5K 1W as a Marlin. Granted those are relief innings, but we could sure use that over a guy like Liz or Bass.
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Pete's reply: The Penn line is slightly deceptive, but I'm happy for whatever success he has.
Posted by: James Salisbury,MD | April 19, 2009 1:26 PM