Where is this thing heading...???
The Dogs Days Are Looking Sadly Familiar in Birdland Again
The faces are different. There’s been a massive infusion of youthful talent, but so far the results are the same, the “dog days” are here and the Orioles suck. How bad, they’ve only won two games since the All-Star break while losing nine. At their current pace, they will lose close to 100 games which would be a decline from even the disasters the last three seasons have been.
Base running blunders, fielding miscues, and at times just lack of hustle going after the ball or zipping down to first place are all too common for players who are supposedly auditioning for their future. At times, it is difficult for even the most experienced watchers to determine if the Orioles’ poor play is youthful inexperience or a lack of commitment and skill.
The team is suffering from obvious weaknesses that were built in to the team from the beginning of the season. The starting pitching is terrible. When it falters, the bullpen gets strained and becomes ineffective. More than anything else, the team’s problems key from poor starting performance.
Tomorrow affords Orioles fans a glimpse of the future as pitching prospect, another reward from the Erik Beddard trade, Chris Tillman takes the mound. The kid has been most impressive in his march from Bowie to Norfolk the last two seasons. He has great stuff and tremendously high potential. Even more impressive prospects are working their way up. Given Brad Bergesen has proven to be the most effective starter gaining more experience with each start since his call up, Tillman’s arrival should be most welcome. While fans can expect some miscues and shoddy games as a young pitcher comes of age in the majors, hopes will run high that this young man will be part of a much improved rotation for 2010. Having a rotation that can hold up for the remainder of the season is the only hope to rescue the team from its horrendous late season fate of the last few seasons.
Meanwhile, the team does not lack bright spots. Brian Roberts and Nick Martakis continue to show that they are among the sport’s elite. Adam Jones in his second year in centerfield is becoming one of the sport’s most promising centerfielders. Norm Riemold and Matt Wieters are showing grow with each passing week as promising rookies. Pull it all together, there are five of the team’s starting nine with the outfield set to be one of the best in the majors, and strength up the middle with Wieters, Roberts, and Jones.
Still, wins and losses add up and every loss becomes a great letdown. It’s hard to believe that the potential this team has should not yield better results. Losing two straight to Kansas City is unacceptable.
The faces are different. There’s been a massive infusion of youthful talent, but so far the results are the same, the “dog days” are here and the Orioles suck. How bad, they’ve only won two games since the All-Star break while losing nine. At their current pace, they will lose close to 100 games which would be a decline from even the disasters the last three seasons have been.
Base running blunders, fielding miscues, and at times just lack of hustle going after the ball or zipping down to first place are all too common for players who are supposedly auditioning for their future. At times, it is difficult for even the most experienced watchers to determine if the Orioles’ poor play is youthful inexperience or a lack of commitment and skill.
The team is suffering from obvious weaknesses that were built in to the team from the beginning of the season. The starting pitching is terrible. When it falters, the bullpen gets strained and becomes ineffective. More than anything else, the team’s problems key from poor starting performance.
Tomorrow affords Orioles fans a glimpse of the future as pitching prospect, another reward from the Erik Beddard trade, Chris Tillman takes the mound. The kid has been most impressive in his march from Bowie to Norfolk the last two seasons. He has great stuff and tremendously high potential. Even more impressive prospects are working their way up. Given Brad Bergesen has proven to be the most effective starter gaining more experience with each start since his call up, Tillman’s arrival should be most welcome. While fans can expect some miscues and shoddy games as a young pitcher comes of age in the majors, hopes will run high that this young man will be part of a much improved rotation for 2010. Having a rotation that can hold up for the remainder of the season is the only hope to rescue the team from its horrendous late season fate of the last few seasons.
Meanwhile, the team does not lack bright spots. Brian Roberts and Nick Martakis continue to show that they are among the sport’s elite. Adam Jones in his second year in centerfield is becoming one of the sport’s most promising centerfielders. Norm Riemold and Matt Wieters are showing grow with each passing week as promising rookies. Pull it all together, there are five of the team’s starting nine with the outfield set to be one of the best in the majors, and strength up the middle with Wieters, Roberts, and Jones.
Still, wins and losses add up and every loss becomes a great letdown. It’s hard to believe that the potential this team has should not yield better results. Losing two straight to Kansas City is unacceptable.
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