[外電] Orioles midterm report
Orioles midterm report
Bullpen emerges as bright spot in Baltimore's strong first half
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- Against all odds and most expectations following the offseason
trades of Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada, the Orioles can speak of possibly
finishing their season with a winning record for the first time since 1997.
It's a modest goal, but one that has eluded them long enough that none of
their players has experienced a winning season in Baltimore.
What stands in their way? Namely, the length of the schedule and the
difficulty of finishing strong when the odds of making the playoffs grow
longer. Baltimore has struggled down the stretch for several consecutive
years, and it will be hard-pressed to sustain its success through September.
But the current team is ready to accept the challenge.
And as the Orioles prepare to start the second half, it's time to review what
went right in an eventful first half.
Club MVP: Closer George Sherrill has taken over the ninth inning in
Baltimore, and he's on pace to shatter the franchise record in saves (45),
and his consistent late-inning work has had a carryover effect on the rest of
the relievers.
Call him "Ace": You may not be able to tell from his record, but Jeremy
Guthrie has consistently worked deep in games and limited the opposition to
two or three runs in the vast majority of his outings.
Greatest strength: Believe it or not, the bullpen -- which has been a glaring
weakness in Baltimore for several seasons -- has somehow become the team's
calling card during its surprising resurgence.
Biggest problem: Shortstop has been an offensive sinkhole for the Orioles all
season. Baltimore has already been through three starters and is openly
sifting through big league rosters to try to find a fourth.
Biggest surprise: Jim Johnson didn't even make the Opening Day roster, but
he's come from nowhere to provide lock-down relief work in the eighth inning.
Johnson, a former starter, is likely a reliever for good.
Team needs: Shortstop shapes up as the biggest target, but the Orioles would
also like to get younger at the infield corners and to add depth to both
their starting rotation and their bullpen.
Oh, doctor:
LHP Adam Loewen -- Much like last season, elbow woes have robbed the former
first-round pick of a large portion of the season. Loewen remains one of
Baltimore's most talented players, but also one of the most star-crossed.
SS Alex Cintron -- Cintron was just about to assume command of the
troublesome shortstop position when he went down with a strained left
hamstring. There's no word on when he'll be back or whether the job will
still be his to take.
RHP Matt Albers -- Albers pitched well out of the bullpen before coming down
with a slight labrum tear in his right shoulder. The right-hander is
attempting to rehab the injury, but he could miss most or all of next season
if he requires surgery.
RHP Randor Bierd -- Baltimore's Rule 5 Draft pick seemed to be on his way
toward establishing himself in the Major Leagues when he came down with a
minor shoulder ailment in May. Bierd is expected back shortly after the
All-Star break.
He said it: "What we set out to do is establish an identity and improve the
attitude and to play with a sense of pride -- and to earn respect. And I
think we've accomplished that, but we have a long way to go." -- Baltimore
manager Dave Trembley, on his short-term goals and improving the state of the
franchise
Mark your calendar: July 28-30 at New York Yankees; Aug. 18-20 vs. Red Sox;
Aug. 22-24 vs. Yankees; Sept. 22-24 vs. Tampa Bay; Sept. 26-28 vs. Toronto.
Fearless second-half prediction: The Orioles have 32 games against American
League East rivals after the All-Star break -- including 13 straight to end
the season -- and they will likely stumble down the stretch and finish just
shy of a winning record.
From:http://tinyurl.com/5vj6h4
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 218.166.235.87
Orioles 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章