Went first O's game of the season last night......
CDsNuts
Posts: 10,092 ✭
A few observations from last night's Orioles-Indians game:
- This Orioles team is looking more like a cohesive unit than any O's team since the 80s. If they could pick up one good starter and another bat, I think they can contend next year. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they made a little run at the Sox by the end of the year.
- The Indians are a truly awful team to watch. I mean really, really bad. Poorly coached too. Generally speaking, if I have a runner on in the 9th with 1 out and down 8-2, I'd most likely pinch hit for the right handed guy batting .130 going against a right-handed pitcher. It's like they gave up after giving up a 3-0 lead in the first.
- Ramon Hernandez (O's catcher) can absolutely crush the ball. Hit a 3-run HR in the first that hit the foul pole more than half-way up, and the ball was just starting to come down. Hit two other long shots to deep center but didn't quite get there.
- Grady Sizemore is fun to watch in person. Made two big warning track catches in center field that not every centerfielder would've gotten to, and he made them look easy.
- Victor Martinez is a very good hitter with superstar potential.
I'm genuinely excited about what the Orioles could do in the next few years. It seems they've gotten away from giving big contracts to over-hyped or over-the-hill veterans (Sosa, Ponson, etc...), and have decided to pick up great role players who are good clubhouse guys (Aubrey Huff, Jay Payton) instead. I'd like to see them pick up a big arm (Sabathia?) and a big bat (Texiera?) this year or during the off-season.
Lee
- This Orioles team is looking more like a cohesive unit than any O's team since the 80s. If they could pick up one good starter and another bat, I think they can contend next year. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they made a little run at the Sox by the end of the year.
- The Indians are a truly awful team to watch. I mean really, really bad. Poorly coached too. Generally speaking, if I have a runner on in the 9th with 1 out and down 8-2, I'd most likely pinch hit for the right handed guy batting .130 going against a right-handed pitcher. It's like they gave up after giving up a 3-0 lead in the first.
- Ramon Hernandez (O's catcher) can absolutely crush the ball. Hit a 3-run HR in the first that hit the foul pole more than half-way up, and the ball was just starting to come down. Hit two other long shots to deep center but didn't quite get there.
- Grady Sizemore is fun to watch in person. Made two big warning track catches in center field that not every centerfielder would've gotten to, and he made them look easy.
- Victor Martinez is a very good hitter with superstar potential.
I'm genuinely excited about what the Orioles could do in the next few years. It seems they've gotten away from giving big contracts to over-hyped or over-the-hill veterans (Sosa, Ponson, etc...), and have decided to pick up great role players who are good clubhouse guys (Aubrey Huff, Jay Payton) instead. I'd like to see them pick up a big arm (Sabathia?) and a big bat (Texiera?) this year or during the off-season.
Lee
0
Comments
<< <i>
- The Indians are a truly awful team to watch. I mean really, really bad. Poorly coached too. Generally speaking, if I have a runner on in the 9th with 1 out and down 8-2, I'd most likely pinch hit for the right handed guy batting .130 going against a right-handed pitcher. It's like they gave up after giving up a 3-0 lead in the first.
Victor Martinez is a very good hitter with superstar potential.
Lee >>
Lee - Nice info...Camden Yards is on my list of ballparks to see
What do you mean "awful team team to watch" and I assume you have only watched them potentially 6 times this year? I agree Wedge is awful - most are not happy with him here in Cleveland, but I am not so sure the situation you mentioned is a terrible coaching move given the situation.
I believe Victor Martinez is on the cusp being a superstar, if not already there.
Tejada is fun to watch....he never stops moving in the field between pitches
Lee
They can go 7 deep if you count Carmona and Miller in AAA
Tejada is fun to watch between pitches
Edited to add....and maybe Hafner????....he only had the highest OPS in all of baseball last year
Mac
Lee
<< <i>After Sizemore, Martinez, and maybe Hafner, I don't see anything in the lineup that will win them games. After Sabathia, they don't have any really good starters. Maybe I caught them on an off day, but they looked like they didn't give a sh*t. I'd be surprised if they made the playoffs even though they're in first now. >>
I actually think the three hitters you mentioned are enough to build a team around. All three are franchise players who have or can put up MVP numbers...and as the cardinals proved last year, you dont need a yankees lineup to win a world series....just a solid middle of the lineup with good role players hitting around them. and that's what the indians have. i've been excited about this indians team ever since they decided to dump salary (thome, colon, lawton, etc.) and build for the future.
As far as pitching, i think the potential is there. I think sabathia, lee, sowers and westbrook make up a solid, young rotation. If Sabathia can stay healthy for an entire year and if lee can bring back the same mojo he had two years ago, you have a rotation with two aces and 2 solid middle of the rotation guys...and a solid fifth starter in byrd.
the biggest question for the indians has been their bullpen. even though he's amongst the league leaders in saves, not sure if old Joe B can hold up with an ERA above 7.
can someone from Cleveland explain to me why Carmona has been demoted? seems like he got off to a good start?
Lee - obviously I might be a little biased being from Boston, but it's tough to see Baltimore getting into contention anytime soon, considering that they have to play the Sox and Yanks for 1/4 of their schedule, and they've been miserable against the Sox for the last 2 years now (not sure how they do against the Yanks, but it don't think it's been great)....especially when the crowd seems like it's 50/50 O's/Sox fans when they play at Camden (One of my favorite parks I've been to).
Lee
Carmona should come up permanently and replace a few that are up there.
The Indians really haven't started to hit yet and when they do, watch out.
They need to work on their defense, but we'll see as the time goes on.
1st Finest Set - 1981 Baseball Fleer Master - Retired
1st Finest Set - 1955 Baseball Golden Stamps - Cleveland Indians - Retired
1st Finest Set - Mel Harder Baseball Master - Active
Mel Harder Showcase Set - Active
#15 on Current Set Registry - 1972 Topps Baseball - Retired
#23 on All Time Set Registry - 1972 Topps Baseball - Retired
~ “when they do, watch out” is an understatement
Here Lee, this should give you an idea of the team…
Pitching
2006 Cleveland 3rd in AL in starters ERA (4.22); 7th overall in baseball. They also threw 13 CG, by far the most in the majors (2nd was Cin with 9)
2005 Cleveland 5th in AL in starters ERA (3.96); 10th overall in baseball. They also finished 26/30 on the good side of the BB total (only 277) and struck out enough to finish 7th in the majors (692) and 2nd in the AL to Ana
Problem has come in our bullpen the last couple years but we have youngsters coming up and some vets who seem to be able to help this year so…
Hitting
2007 thru todays game have scored 163R (2nd to Yankees) and are 3rd in the AL in OPS (.773)
2006 scored 870 Runs (2nd to Yankees) and finished the season with a .806 OPS, good enough for 4th in the majors.
2005 scored 790 Runs (7th in ML, 4th in AL) and finished with a .787 OPS, good enough 4th in ML once again.
And it’s the same team… The core of the team being Hafner, Sizemore, Martinez, Peralta and now Barfield with youngsters like Marte, Garko, Choo, Frankie Guiterez, Ben Francisco etc ideally ready to take it to the next level. On the pitching side you have Sabathia, Lee, Westbrook, Byrd and now Sowers with guys like Carmona and Miller itching for their chance.
And I really do hope you know who some of those players are, otherwise our team has much more of an uphill battle for public recognition than I thought. Hafner is one of the most feared hitters in baseball and a perpetual MVP candidate on this little known team despite his being a DH. Sizemore is considered by quite a few to be the best all around player in baseball, Martinez is one of the best hitters behind the plate you will see, Peralta if hitting like he did in 05 will compete for the Silver Slugger award at SS, Barfield was NL ROY runner up with San Diego last year, Marte was considered the top minor league player just 3 years ago, Choo and Garko are touted and did nothing but produce in limited time last year and FrankieG and BennyF are having a hard time breaking an OF that also houses vets Trot Nixon, David Dellucci, Casey Blake and Jason Michael. Oh and if it isn’t enough the backup catcher was ranked as one of the top prospects at his position just 2 years ago when he was still with Boston (Kelly Shooppach). By far this team has the strongest bench you will find to go along with one of the best offenses in baseball.
Pitching?
Cliff Lee is 46-24 over the last three years and despite an uninspiring career ERA of 4.41 (still not bad for AL though) he still had a 3.80ERA or less in all but ½ the 04 season going into last year. Hes just been hurt this year and didn’t provide much in his one game back ~ which is understandable. Jake Westbrook is just a flat out inning-eating winner who will give ya 15W and 210+IP. He is considered the best groundball pitcher in the game, and with an improved defense his numbers should be what one would expect when he returns from the DL. Sowers came up last year when we were forced to dump Jason Johnson, he responded by going 6-2 2.72ERA in the second half. Not a SO pitcher so he isn’t flashy, his stuff isn’t amazing and he wont dazzle ~ he’s just smarter than most you will come across and has leveled competition the last couple years. Paul Byrd ~ well didn’t do too much last year but is a under 4.00ERA guy the three pervious years who is really just taking space away from Carmona and Miller until they cant be denied their chance anymore. Oh and I know you know CC ~ the guy who has more wins than any other active 27YO pitcher (besting Carlos Zambrano by 20W), the guy who rivals Halladay for the “second best pitcher in the AL” (cant deny the 1 spot being the machine in Min they call Johan)…
… I better stop, this already looks long
Let’s just say that it’s no surprise that this team has one of the best records so far in the season and don’t be surprised if you see them representing the AL-C in the playoffs come October. Last year the WBC cost us more than most people will ever know, instant injuries to CC and a couple out of the pen meant the hitters we in “this sucks” mode by the time the staff started coming back around. It was a series of the team being on different pages at all turns; but lets not forget we did manage 93 Wins and missed the playoffs by 1 game in 05 ~ again with basically the same team…
Shea
Currently searching for 05 Upper Deck Origins & Old Judge Autos #/5 (Feller, Hafner, V.Martinez & Rosen)
and 06 SP Authentic “By The Numbers” Letter Autos (Sabathia, Hafner, Sowers, V.Martinez & Lee)
A small portion of me still roots for the O’s as I would love someone to kick the Yankees/RedSox off the top ~ but I think they are still a little ways away from actually producing much in the way of Wins. Honestly, Balt should be more worried about whats going on in Tampa in an attempt to stay out of the cellar.
Currently searching for 05 Upper Deck Origins & Old Judge Autos #/5 (Feller, Hafner, V.Martinez & Rosen)
and 06 SP Authentic “By The Numbers” Letter Autos (Sabathia, Hafner, Sowers, V.Martinez & Lee)