Dean Kremer diced up the Rays, the bullpen was just as good, and Cal is loving his role in the organization.
Good Morning, Birdland!
The weekend got off to a pleasant start on Friday night. Dean Kremer turned in his finest outing of the season, less than a week removed from taking a line drive to the forearm. And the Orioles bullpen was equally impressive, particularly Yennier Cano, who worked out of a bases-loaded, no outs jam to lift the O’s to a 2-0 win over the Rays.
It was a less impressive evening for the offense and the defense. Gunnar Henderson had two hits, including his 36th home run. But he also made a pair of errors that were nearly disastrous. Colton Cowser was the only other hitter to do much. He singled, walked, and scored what would end up as the winning run.
Don’t look now but the Orioles have won four out of five and gone from 1.5 games back in the AL East to up by half a game. It would be pretty neat if they sorted out whatever it was that ailed them these last two months just in time for the postseason.
Another good start from Zach Eflin today would go a long towards reinforcing that hope. The 30-year-old has a 1.95 ERA as an Oriole and wasn’t slowed at all by those two weeks on the IL. Is he the Orioles ace now? Let’s see how he and Corbin Burnes do this weekend against the Rays.
It will be a matinee of sorts at Camden Yards. First pitch is set for 4:05, which could make for a fine dual-screen set up alongside some college football. Maryland and Michigan State kick off at 3:30. Or you could agonize over the final pitches of the Yankees/Cubs game. That one starts at 2:20 and should wrap up midway through the O’s game.
Have a great weekend, folks.
Links
Magic number time: How and when the Baltimore Orioles can clinch a playoff spot | The Baltimore Banner
It’s funny to step back and think about how far the Orioles have come as an organization. As someone that grew up during the dark ages of Orioles baseball from 1998-2011, I would have killed for a season like this when I was a kid. The same could have been said from 2018-21. But now, given what our expectations are, it’s fair say we have been a tad underwhelmed this year, especially the last 2+ months. Despite that, this club is still in position to clinch a playoff spot with room to spare.
Orioles have more bullpen decisions pending this month and beyond | Roch Kubatko
For all of the injuries that the Orioles have suffered this season, a portion of their pitching staff is poised for a return as the schedule comes to a close. It would be a pretty significant boost if Grayson Rodriguez, Danny Coulombe, and Jacob Webb could all get healthy and be productive in the final week of the regular season.
As Orioles part-owner, Cal Ripken Jr.’s world ‘revolves around’ baseball again | The Baltimore Sun
This is what so many people in Baltimore envisioned for a Ripken ownership stake. He is a visible part of the organization on a daily basis, he features in the team’s social media postings, and he seems to be having a blast! It is very cool.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- David Newhan turns 51 today. He spent parts of three seasons with the O’s from 2004 through 2006 as a utility option.
- Willie Morales is 52. He spent three games behind the plate for the O’s during the 2000 campaign.
- Wade Rowdon celebrates his 64th birthday. During the 1988 season he played in 20 games between third base, left field, and DH for the O’s.
- Orlando Sánchez turns 68. His stay in Baltimore spanned four games during the 1984 season.
- The late Tommy Matchick (b. 1943, d. 2022) was born on this day. He played in three games for the Orioles in 1972.
This day in history
1996 – The Orioles achieve their first shutout of the season, 141 games into the campaign. Mike Mussina goes all nine innings, striking out 11 Tigers en route to a 6-0 win.
2018 – Another loss for the Orioles, who fall to 41-100 on the season. They become the fastest team to 100 losses in a season since the 2003 Tigers.