Ha, anger is a tough one. Jesus wants us to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:18), and He is the smartest Guy I know, but I have found this to be my toughest challenge in life. I used to get angry every time something did not go the way I wanted, and learning to try to be thankful every time instead - well, let's just say, it is a work in progress :) .
My big takeaways/insights from yesterday were two fold. First, I am starting to lose my confidence a little bit that Carlos can be our ace. I hope he can be. And he did pitch a shut out last night. But he did not seem at all pitch efficient, though he was still close to the 15 pitches an inning that I think is a good mark to hit. And he seems to have a strikeout problem for someone who throws as many pitches as he does. I hope you are right, that these are just the growing pains of a young ace. Hope, hope, hope.
Secondly, I read Nicky's quote in the Star that his goal is to be an everyday player, so was glad that he hit a lefty good last night. And that reminded me of Whit's quote, that only wimps do not play every day (not really, but something that it is good to play every day if possible), and Salvy's goal to play all 162 games - and it led me to wonder how this will all work out for our chess pieces next year. It does not sound like Mondi will just give Nicky and Whit a day off each week. So, are there some "lesser" players who, as much as they might also want to play every day, will not be given that? And, if Mondi is not an everyday player (though seeing him play the last 3 days in a row is interesting :) ), then how will the lineup work? Maybe they give him his 100-120 games at 3B, and then let next year's subs (maybe Hanser is brought back) have those scraps? So, if Mondi is given a spot, then how do all our best pieces fit? If Witt is a left side guy, do you go Mondi 3B, Witt SS, Lopez back to 2B, Pratto 1B, Benny LF, Taylor back in CF unless we get your Pirates guy without trading any of the guys I mentioned or any of our first choice of starting pitchers and relievers and good depth for everything (maybe Vinnie, but he might also be a guy with a bat we want to keep), and Whit in RF, Salvy and MJ rotating between C/DH with a frequency to keep Salvy happy, so maybe MJ some of those days at 3B as well, with not much subbing for all the guys who want to (and deserve to be playing every day).
Rex Hudler from yesterday's broadcast; "Nicky Lopez continues to impress with the bat and it's a turn on."
Regarding Wednesday, Olivares is _not_ a good defender, and you need to be a good defender to be a fourth or fifth outfielder. His bat isn't good enough to be a starter.
David, appreciate your transparency regarding the Wednesday night game. You weren't the only one, believe me. Your analysis of blame to go around is on the mark, too. That's usually the case when a meltdown like that happens. I'd even throw in the home plate umpire, as I think there were a couple of calls we should have got, and didn't. As for last night, it felt like a soothing ointment to cool that anger. Hernandez was not at his best, and the O's aren't the best team, but he pushed through, with good results. I have become more and more impressed with Hernandez, partly because he kind of arrived under the radar. All the talk of the Big 4 moving up the MILB ladder; Singer, Bubic, Kowar, and Lynch, and CH just quietly arrived. Something he seems to do well is bounce back. Not his best stuff (like last night)? Find a way. Have a bad start? Better effort, and results in the next start. I just really like what I see with him.
A quick comment on what Clark said about the umpire getting some of the blame from Wednesday's debacle. The Dallas and strike calling by the umpires seems absolutely ridiculous this year. To be fair it has been going for us as much as against us. It is very rarely that you get a good game from the home plate ump. David, what is the contract situation for Mullins. He would also be a center field option for Royals. To the best of my recollection, the Orioles have historically been hard to make deals with. I missed your article yesterday, but understand why.
Ha, anger is a tough one. Jesus wants us to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:18), and He is the smartest Guy I know, but I have found this to be my toughest challenge in life. I used to get angry every time something did not go the way I wanted, and learning to try to be thankful every time instead - well, let's just say, it is a work in progress :) .
My big takeaways/insights from yesterday were two fold. First, I am starting to lose my confidence a little bit that Carlos can be our ace. I hope he can be. And he did pitch a shut out last night. But he did not seem at all pitch efficient, though he was still close to the 15 pitches an inning that I think is a good mark to hit. And he seems to have a strikeout problem for someone who throws as many pitches as he does. I hope you are right, that these are just the growing pains of a young ace. Hope, hope, hope.
Secondly, I read Nicky's quote in the Star that his goal is to be an everyday player, so was glad that he hit a lefty good last night. And that reminded me of Whit's quote, that only wimps do not play every day (not really, but something that it is good to play every day if possible), and Salvy's goal to play all 162 games - and it led me to wonder how this will all work out for our chess pieces next year. It does not sound like Mondi will just give Nicky and Whit a day off each week. So, are there some "lesser" players who, as much as they might also want to play every day, will not be given that? And, if Mondi is not an everyday player (though seeing him play the last 3 days in a row is interesting :) ), then how will the lineup work? Maybe they give him his 100-120 games at 3B, and then let next year's subs (maybe Hanser is brought back) have those scraps? So, if Mondi is given a spot, then how do all our best pieces fit? If Witt is a left side guy, do you go Mondi 3B, Witt SS, Lopez back to 2B, Pratto 1B, Benny LF, Taylor back in CF unless we get your Pirates guy without trading any of the guys I mentioned or any of our first choice of starting pitchers and relievers and good depth for everything (maybe Vinnie, but he might also be a guy with a bat we want to keep), and Whit in RF, Salvy and MJ rotating between C/DH with a frequency to keep Salvy happy, so maybe MJ some of those days at 3B as well, with not much subbing for all the guys who want to (and deserve to be playing every day).
Rex Hudler from yesterday's broadcast; "Nicky Lopez continues to impress with the bat and it's a turn on."
Regarding Wednesday, Olivares is _not_ a good defender, and you need to be a good defender to be a fourth or fifth outfielder. His bat isn't good enough to be a starter.
He needs a _lot_ more seasoning in the minors.
David, appreciate your transparency regarding the Wednesday night game. You weren't the only one, believe me. Your analysis of blame to go around is on the mark, too. That's usually the case when a meltdown like that happens. I'd even throw in the home plate umpire, as I think there were a couple of calls we should have got, and didn't. As for last night, it felt like a soothing ointment to cool that anger. Hernandez was not at his best, and the O's aren't the best team, but he pushed through, with good results. I have become more and more impressed with Hernandez, partly because he kind of arrived under the radar. All the talk of the Big 4 moving up the MILB ladder; Singer, Bubic, Kowar, and Lynch, and CH just quietly arrived. Something he seems to do well is bounce back. Not his best stuff (like last night)? Find a way. Have a bad start? Better effort, and results in the next start. I just really like what I see with him.
A quick comment on what Clark said about the umpire getting some of the blame from Wednesday's debacle. The Dallas and strike calling by the umpires seems absolutely ridiculous this year. To be fair it has been going for us as much as against us. It is very rarely that you get a good game from the home plate ump. David, what is the contract situation for Mullins. He would also be a center field option for Royals. To the best of my recollection, the Orioles have historically been hard to make deals with. I missed your article yesterday, but understand why.