How Bout Those O's
I know, I know, they are likely heading for a ninth straight losing season, but if you've been watching lately, and I don't blame you if you haven't, the O's are looking quite different. Have you noticed in years past how the O's stink it up the most in August and September? Do you find it odd that they've won five of their last six against the Yankees, Blue Jays and Twins? Those are good teams...
Did you notice how the starting pitching has suddenly become the O's strength? A complete game shut out by Daniel Cabrera? Adam Loewen retiring 21 straight Twins? Rodrigo Lopez limited the Yankees to two runs in seven innings? What is going on? Is the Mazzone effect kicking in?
And now the hitting is picking up as well. Remember last year when Brian Roberts was on a tear. Wasn't that great? You may not have been tuning in, but Brian is on a ten game hitting streak and has hit 5 home runs this month. And let's not forget rookie Nick Markakis. This guy hit three home runs yesterday. The first Oriole to do that since Albert Belle in 1999. And it was no fluke. He has six home runs in his last six games. These two guys are overshadowing the consistent solid hitting of Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada.
And you can call Corey Patterson the comeback kid. And not just because he had a sweet homer last night. He's making great defensive plays, has 12 dingers, and 38 stolen bases. This is the first year in Orioles history that they have had two players with over 30 steals (thanks B-Rob!).
So what does it all mean? Is it just a hot streak? Perhaps. But what if Bedard, Cabrera and Loewen are putting it all together? What if Hayden Penn soon joins them? What if we sign one big slugger and a front line starter? Would it be enough? Could we contend?
One guy who's let his feelings be known on the issue is team star Tejada. Remember when he said he wanted to get traded because he wanted to be on a winner and didn't think the front office is doing enough to help the O's? Last night sounded a bit different. Here's what he said "It shows that next year, we don't need too much. What we need, we're getting from the young guys. They are learning and they are going to be good."
Wishful thinking? Perhaps...but maybe....just maybe...the O's will fly high again.
Did you notice how the starting pitching has suddenly become the O's strength? A complete game shut out by Daniel Cabrera? Adam Loewen retiring 21 straight Twins? Rodrigo Lopez limited the Yankees to two runs in seven innings? What is going on? Is the Mazzone effect kicking in?
And now the hitting is picking up as well. Remember last year when Brian Roberts was on a tear. Wasn't that great? You may not have been tuning in, but Brian is on a ten game hitting streak and has hit 5 home runs this month. And let's not forget rookie Nick Markakis. This guy hit three home runs yesterday. The first Oriole to do that since Albert Belle in 1999. And it was no fluke. He has six home runs in his last six games. These two guys are overshadowing the consistent solid hitting of Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada.
And you can call Corey Patterson the comeback kid. And not just because he had a sweet homer last night. He's making great defensive plays, has 12 dingers, and 38 stolen bases. This is the first year in Orioles history that they have had two players with over 30 steals (thanks B-Rob!).
So what does it all mean? Is it just a hot streak? Perhaps. But what if Bedard, Cabrera and Loewen are putting it all together? What if Hayden Penn soon joins them? What if we sign one big slugger and a front line starter? Would it be enough? Could we contend?
One guy who's let his feelings be known on the issue is team star Tejada. Remember when he said he wanted to get traded because he wanted to be on a winner and didn't think the front office is doing enough to help the O's? Last night sounded a bit different. Here's what he said "It shows that next year, we don't need too much. What we need, we're getting from the young guys. They are learning and they are going to be good."
Wishful thinking? Perhaps...but maybe....just maybe...the O's will fly high again.
posted by AaronJLohr at 11:13 AM
2 Comments:
I can't believe the O's had Albert Belle at one time. Now there's a blast for the past.
The recent streak gives good reason to be optimistic about the future. Lets hope Angelos actually does something this offseason to put the team over the top. Like, sign a true #1 starter.
I think our young guns are blazin right now.
I do think we still need to sign a slugging 1st baseman or outfielder, but yeah, we don't look like we need to much now.
But if we do get the pieces, we are going to need Miguel Tejada to be a leader! He's got to get back to his MVP form, and not be leading the league in hitting into double-plays. Period.
But yes, Aaron...it's nice to see our pitching improving... especially Cabrera. He's looking caliente.
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