After a bumpy start to September, the Orioles are once again looking like the team we saw in August.
Now the question in September is – can they avoid the swoon that has engulfed them for more than a decade? So far, the answer may be yes.
The Orioles took two-of-three games from the AL Wild Card leading Rays over the weekend thanks to a dominant win on Saturday and a razor thin victory on Sunday. As well, they kicked off a three game set in the Bronx on Monday against the Yankees and won it, 4-3.
It’s nice to see the young arms picking it up and the work of Brian Matsuz as of late has been impressive. After a horrific start to the season, he won his fourth straight game yesterday going six innings and allowing three runs to come in.
If you look at it all, Baltimore’s surge in the last month has been due to the starting pitching – not the offense. The New York Times, this morning has a piece on Buck Showalter and his effect on the 2010 Baltimore Orioles since he took over:
When Showalter arrived, the rotation of Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie, Matusz, Brad Bergesen and Jake Arrieta had a combined record of 15-45 with a 5.50 earned run average. Under Showalter, those pitchers are 15-11 with a 3.23 E.R.A.
“I don’t think there’s been a big difference with us on the mound,” said Millwood, who pitched for Showalter in Texas. “The biggest difference is guys are playing harder, bottom line.”
Showalter has urged the pitchers to be more aggressive, to show better body language and not to give the opposition too much credit.
In addition, it’s great to see Koji Uehara thriving as a closer, as he earned his seventh on the year on Monday. Considering how his Orioles’ tenure started with his injures, conditioning issues and whatever else – should Koji perhaps be re-signed for another year?
On another side note, to see how much the Orioles have improved, there’s this additional paragraph from the New York Times piece:
Under Dave Trembley and his interim successor, Juan Samuel, the Orioles were 32-73. They had 52 losses before their 20th victory. Since Showalter’s first game as manager, on Aug. 3, they are 20-13.
Amazing. I’m still surprised that it took Showalter to come in an motivate these players to play the game to their ability. I have no idea if we’re seeing the real Orioles, or mirage, but whatever is going on – keep it up.
Finally, we’ll be seeing more youngsters come up as the season comes to a close. The Baltimore Sun reports that pitchers David Hernandez and Pedro Viola will be called up for tonight’s game against the Yankees.
