The pitching has been great, the offense not as much, and more in today’s Bird Droppings
Happy Thursday, Camden Chatters! Last night wasn’t so fun, was it? Watching the Orioles get mowed down by Luis Gil is not my idea of a good time, that’s for sure. Corbin Burnes wasn’t bad, but wouldn’t have mattered if he was. The Orioles couldn’t make heads or tails of the Yankees’ pitching.
The first three games of this series have been low-scoring and each has been decided by just two runs. The Orioles won 2-0 and 4-2, then the Yankees took yesterday’s game 2-0. The games have lived up to the billing between possibly the two best teams in the American League, but I admit the lack of offense has surprised me.
The Orioles are averaging 5.41 runs per game, which is tops in the American League. And the Yankees aren’t far behind them at 4.84, good for third in the AL. And yet we’ve seen the pitching take control in each game of the series so far, both starters and bullpens. It’s been both impressive and frustrating, depending on the situation.
Even the pitchers you don’t expect have been getting in on that good pitching action. Last night it was Mike Baumann and Yohan Ramírez. Turning to those two pitchers with just a two-run deficit might have felt like throwing in the towel, but they both stepped up the task and combined for three perfect innings. It didn’t matter in the end, but it was still a very good showing.
As of this writing, the starter for today’s 1 pm game has not been announced. Cole Irvin, who has been excellent in his past few starts, is on regular rest. But it’s expected that Kyle Bradish will be activated to make his season debut. If that happens, it’ll be a much quicker return to action for Bradish than many anticipated. That’s exciting but given the nature of his injury, I’ll spend the rest of the season worried that he’ll throw a pitch, tear his UCL, and we won’t see him again for two years. But I guess that’s just the state of pitching these days.
John Means was activated yesterday (with Grayson Rodriguez placed on the IL) and Brandon Hyde confirmed yesterday that he will be rejoining the rotation. He hasn’t said when he’ll start, but the smart money is during the series in Cincinnati this weekend. Friday would be his regular rest day, but if the team opts to keep Irvin in the rotation, he could get the Friday slot.
Links
Gunnar Henderson’s early power display puts him in elite company – The Baltimore Banner
Danielle Allentuck compares Gunnar Henderson’s fast start to others in recent history.
Orioles’ hot start through March and April 2024, by the numbers – The Baltimore Sun
Matt Weyrich with a look back at the hot start for the Orioles through the first month.
Coby Mayo, Connor Norby, Cade Povich drawing Orioles’ attention – MLB.com
Who will get the next call up?
Yankees vs. Orioles: Which Team Will Rule the AL East for the Next 5 Years? | Bleacher Report
A story appropriate for the current series. I vote Orioles.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have three Orioles birthday buddies. Jonathan Villar celebrates his 33rd birthday. The infielder came to the Orioles in the Jonathan Schoop trade with the Brewers in 2018. He had a nice 2019 for the Orioles before being traded to the Marlins after that season.
Brent Bowers is 53. His entire major league career took place in 1996 when he played 21 games. And Keith Moreland is 70 years old today. His 12-season career ended with 33 games with the 1989 Orioles.
On this day in 2014, the Orioles defeated the Minnesota Twins, 3-0. Ubaldo Jiménez pitched 7.1 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and Tommy Hunter got the save. Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer.
And in 2010, Ty Wigginton hit a game-winning double off of Jonathan Papelbon to help the Orioles complete the three-game sweep of the Red Sox. It’s always a good time when your favorite team beat Jonathan Papelbon.