Inside the Series: Vs. TOR

[Oriolesfan1810]

Toronto comes in leading Baltimore by 5 games for 3rd

Toronto is also 2 1/2 back of the AL East Leading Boston Red Sox.

FIVE KEYS TO THE SERIES PRESENTED BY ME:

* - Power Surge: Orioles finally getting their act together with the power and slam 4 homeruns against Yankee Pitching. Orioles have 72 homeruns so far this year and are on pace for their first 200 homerun season since the 257 homerun season of 1996.

* - Starting to come around: Rodrigo Lopez lowered his ERA more than 1.25 since tabbing Javy Lopez as a personal catcher to him. O's pitchers have dropped their ERA down to 5.51, that's more than .41 then it was before!

* - Slow the offense down!: Toronto is 8-4 since being swept by Colorado. Taking at least 2 games from the series in the last 4 series against TB(2), CWS, BOS. And have scored 79 runs in the last 12 games.

* - Where's the handcuffs?: Baltimore is 47 out of 53 (89%) in stolen base attempts, leading the ML. Corey Patterson leads the ML with 25 base thefts. The O's have broken up 20 double play attempts with at least 1 runner and that leads the major leagues. Orioles have only attempted 1 double steal this year.

* - Run Production Heating up: O's have scored 23 runs in 3 games, yet winning just 1 out of the 3 games against the Yankees. Toronto comes in allowing 4.85 runs per game but are 3rd in the AL in least amount of hits allowed (490).

BIG KEY:
The O's are one of two teams that has yet to compile at least a 4-game winning streak. Kansas City is the other.

Orioles MATCHUP:
Game 1: Ted Lilly (5-5 4.50 ERA / 2-2 4.00 ERA Overall Against the O's) vs. Daniel Cabrera (2-2 5.23 ERA / 2-1 2.94 ERA Overall against the Jays)

Game 2: Ty Taubenheim (0-2 6.75 ERA / Never Faced the O's) vs. Erik Bedard (5-5 5.97 ERA / 4-1 4.05 ERA overall against the Jays)

Game 3: Casey Janssen (4-3 3.26 ERA / 0-2 6.30 ERA vs. O's) vs. Kris Benson (6-4 4.77 ERA / 2-0 2.63 ERA overall against the Jays)

Game 4: Roy Halladay (7-1 2.81 ERA / 3-0 on the Road vs. O's) vs. TBA

[Chelle]

That was GREAT! You should work for ESPN...but they wouldn't hire you since you are not a Yankee/Red Sox fan....LOL

It sounds like (from what I've been reading in the Sun and on a couple of blog sites) that Sammy is thinking of a possible Loewen start on Thursday against Roy. He has earned it and it would be a much better choice then Chen. I bet they wait and see how the other games go before they decide. I want Loewen over Chen....

I'm glad to have Cabrera back in the lineup...he did really well down in Bowie the other day...and it's good to have him back.

If we go into this series strong....:clapping

[Oriolesfan1810]

That was GREAT! You should work for ESPN...but they wouldn't hire you since you are not a Yankee/Red Sox fan....LOL

It sounds like (from what I've been reading in the Sun and on a couple of blog sites) that Sammy is thinking of a possible Loewen start on Thursday against Roy. He has earned it and it would be a much better choice then Chen. I bet they wait and see how the other games go before they decide. I want Loewen over Chen....

I'm glad to have Cabrera back in the lineup...he did really well down in Bowie the other day...and it's good to have him back.

If we go into this series strong....:clapping

hey thanx! That's why I am thinking about going to the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Arlington, VA.

We got a great series coming up, if we win at least 2 games, we'll be cool.

[Chelle]

If our offense stays like this....and our defense stays strong behind our pitcher...I think we're going to work well like this.

I'm feeling good about the team this week. :D

[Oriolesfan1810]

2nd thoughts about millar, chelle?

[Chelle]

Let's just say I don't hate him anymore. I'm not 100% convinced yet...but he's growing on me.

I still think Conine needs to go.

Did you notice Matos crossed the Mendoza line tonight?

[Oriolesfan1810]

Yep, sure did.

O's got a lot to be proud of tonight, they did fantastic. I'm feeling really good right now.

[Oriolesfan1810]

O'S WIN! 4-0. Well done.

[Chelle]

1 down....

3 to go....

Let's go O's!!!

[J W]

Very nice win--and the starting pitcher with the shakiest start to the season, Daniel Cabrera, is now 3-2 with an ERA under 5.00 (I believe 4.66).

That would actually be the lowest ERA among our five starting pitchers (Benson - 4.77)... though through his wildness his IP are still way down. If he could just work on conserving his pitches... but I guess it's one-step-at-a-time for him.

Interesting that Lopez wants, um, Lopez to catch for him. Is this possibly because Javy caught for Mazzone's teams in Atlanta, or because the two have experience together? Hey, whatever works... just keep Hernandez in the lineup!

[Chelle]

I think it's more basic than that....Lopez seems to only win when..er, Lopez is catching. Something about the way that Lopez calls the game. I think Lopez feels more comfortable with Lopez the with Hernanez. Hey, Lopez is 3/3 when Javy is catching (with no wins with Hernandez....an it gives Ramon a day of rest or to DH).

[Oriolesfan1810]

O's looking good right now. Going to be a good night tonight I hope

:coffee <= Gonna load me up with some of that. :)

[Chelle]

This has been a close game so far...with a lot of tough plays. The pitcher from Tor is good for a young kid...

ARGH! HR...

[JohnGelnarFan]

Bet Millar just grew on you a little more Chelle! Our pitcher Britton needs to mix in a salad every now and then.......

[Chelle]

Have to admit...I'm not hating Millar. At first I thought Millar was out of breath and out of shape (why he slowed at third)...and Palmer called him slow. But, I'm thinking either Trebs called him to stop...or there was a miscommunication between Millar and Trebs.

Yeah, Britton is normally rock solid. But, ouch.

[Oriolesfan1810]

John Gibbons made some pretty good comments about our club the other day when I was reading the Toronto Star at work this morning and told the AL East to "Watch out" when the o's get hot.

Gibbons said in the Toronto Star: "They are tough bunch of birds and they don't surrender until they feel it's over."

-------

Tonight that kid we've been getting after a lot is pitching tonight. Let's see if we can make anymore damage come tonight.

[Chelle]

I can't wait to have a healthy Jay back in the line up. ALthough I hope they keep Ramon where he is in the lineup...he's hitting well there.

[J W]

"They are tough bunch of birds and they don't surrender until they feel it's over."

Sorry, but what exactly does that mean? Is that like "I don't stop eating until I think I'm full?"

Sometimes you end up winning even after you feel the game is out of reach. Make every out count!

[Chelle]

Last night was a hard loss. Sammy needs a reality check. Does he think Conine is a good player? He must be drinking back there....

Why take out Patterson...I think a non-lefty hitter would still be better then a non-hitter at all. That just was annoying. Conine can't hit...can't field...and just needs to be put down...I mean released. :mad:

[Chelle]

Brian Roberts snapped an 0-for-19 slump by going 3-for-4 against the Jays on Wednesday. He also drove in a run with a sac fly and stole his 14th base.

Maybe now that Brian got his slump buster...we'll get back in the game.

[Chelle]

Time to bring this thread back.

This series is a must win for the O's.

If the Blue Jays sweep us...I fear we're really out of it at this point. Adam Loewen will be getting another chance.....against his 3rd Cy Young winner.

*sigh*

[JohnGelnarFan]

Any word about Gibbons staus or who might go when he's activated? It's less than an hour to game time and there's no news on the team website. Are they waiting longer to activate Gibbons?

[Chelle]

Posted in injury report. Sadly, it's not the news I was hoping for.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Quote from Bruce Chen - "I'm ready! Just give me one more chance and you'll see. I'm going to show you all. It's been too cold.....and dark at night....and lots of bad hops....and....."

[Chelle]

awwwww... *sniff*

Brucey.

He's not fit to throw practice pitches to little leaguers.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Can't we all just get along! I ain't a bad fella!

[Chelle]

No, you're evil.

And, you're not coming in to blow this lead tonight!

[Chelle]

The O's are hitting.

Way to blow this rookie out of the water!

[JohnGelnarFan]

Just give me a chance. I'm the "Cy Chen Yung" of Panama. I'm going to prove it tonight!

[JohnGelnarFan]

Janssen pitched real well last time out. It's good to see a few productive bases loaded situations. Millar got a tough RBI.Ouch!

[Chelle]

He's got plenty of padding though....

He probably had a little bit of food hidden under his shirt to take with him for the long run around the bases so he was ok on that.

Bless him...

[JohnGelnarFan]

He's hitting like he's switched from submarine sandwiches to rice cakes lately. He does have some padding on. That was an unnatural sound when he got hit


......Bless Him

[Chelle]

And did you see him run that ball out in the 1st? He had a bit of speed to him...for Millar.

[JohnGelnarFan]

I did see that. He had his head down and looked like a bull was chasing him. :eek: He's in a nice zone right now. He's playing like the guy they hoped they were getting. We need all the hitting we can get. This is a very streaky team at the plate.

[Chelle]

Is that your nice way of saying...some days we get 11 hits and some days we couldn't hit the floor if we fell out of a chair?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Exactly! They are very aggravating sometimes! They sting the ball one day and swing at air on others. That's why I don't think they'll be as consistent as the Nationals.

[Chelle]

Even when we have a great lead...we still give up a bunch of runs.

I hate when Chris Ray comes in and gives up a HR. It makes me uncomfortable. The 3rd HR he's given up this year?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Ray's ERA is over 3 now. He's going through a tough stretch but most pitchers do at some point. It's a win and a save though! :gt

[Oriolesfan1810]

As long as he gets the save that's all that matters. He hasn't blown one save yet. I think he's on pace to break the O's Save mark.

[Chelle]

Ouch, the kid is having a tough night tonigh. It's only the 4th inning and he has a 68 pc count with 3 BB and only 2SO. Come on kid!

[Roy31]

Loewen had some trouble with his command tonight. I thought he pitched pretty good against a supposed "good hitting team".

[Chelle]

Thank you. He had a bit of trouble at first, but once he got comfortable he looked good. The future looks bright...once he gets his control.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Tough night last night! Think Loewen showed enough to get another start?
Lopez goes tonight against reliever Scott Downs. Will Rodrigo keep his winning streak going? I heard this morning that Jay Gibbons is going back on the D.L. This is unfortunate but gives the kids or Matos a chance to improve.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Rodrigo isn't starting off too well so far. At least they're solo homers. I see that the O's brought up Yo-Yo Rogers to take Gibbons place on the active roster. It will be a lot easier on the players when the AAA team is in Scranton.

[Roy31]

Lopez is a bum the weak spot in the Orioles rotation definately. Funny play by Matos in the field there. :dance

[Chelle]

Matos is the Charlie Brown of the major leagues. He needs to be removed from play immediately. I know the Conine/Matos during the lefty thing is Sammy's schtick...but it's getting old.

Matos has no idea how to play defense...and Conine can't run..or catch...or well, hit.

[Roy31]

Any thoughts on B.J. Ryan Oriole fans?

Does he look better this year or what are you're opinions of him. 4 pitches 3 outs last inning lol thats just silly.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Ryan is pitching against Chelle's man,Matos right now. A classic matchup. Matos flies out to right. :(
B.J. pitched great in Baltimore and is even better this year.He's earning his huge contract as well as he can. He's one of the majors best closers right now.

[Chelle]

Any thoughts on B.J. Ryan Oriole fans?

Does he look better this year or what are you're opinions of him. 4 pitches 3 outs last inning lol thats just silly.

I think BJ Ryan is great....however, he's not 50 million dollars great. That's just crazy.

I also think A-Rod is great. He's not 24 million dollars great.

I'd rather have some young guys who play hard...try hard...and don't have egos so big they need an extra bus to carry them.

[Chelle]

Ryan is pitching against Chelle's man,Matos right now. A classic matchup. Matos flies out to right. :(
B.J. pitched great in Baltimore and is even better this year.He's earning his huge contract as well as he can. He's one of the majors best closers right now.

Matos is the king of flying out to right. Shame he can't catch anything that flys out to right.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Matos is going to make you eat those words Chelle! If he plays right again this year,he will make a catch.
Buy or Sell:
Chelle will be a Luis Matos fan by the end of the year.

[Chelle]

SELL!

Did you see the Orioles mailbag? "Expect to see more of Matos...."

I wanted to reply...I think O's fans have seen just about enough...

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060619&content_id=1513242&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal

:grouchy

I was thinking of starting an official "Chelle is sick of Matos thread...." but that's just mean.

[JohnGelnarFan]

I did see that in the Mailbag. I hope he can contribute the way he used to, with some playing time. By the end of the year you might be heading up his fan club!

[Chelle]

I'm willing to take that bet.

[JohnGelnarFan]

I'll have to think about that for a few more months........