Question: I just watched the O’s drop the rubber game to Kansas City, 4-1. It seems to me that after 10 games if the team doesn’t have some kind of early-game success everyone deflates, the wind comes out of the sails and the result is six losses. I know it’s early in the season and some guys are just getting up to speed (Mateo and Henderson), but it just seems the energy is gone once there’s a little bit of a hole to dig out of. What say you? From: Tony Tvarkunas, Eagle, Colorado
Answer: Tony, I say it’s only 10 games, and I don’t like to draw conclusions from so few games. I’d like to watch the team play 30 games before I start thinking seriously about what’s right and wrong.
Henderson didn’t have much of a spring training, and we know he’s going to hit. The team misses leftfielder Colton Cowser, who broke his thumb sliding into first, and starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who has right elbow inflammation.
Their four wins have all been lopsided, and they haven’t had a save situation yet. Only three of their first 13 games will be at home.
Until they play more games, more close games, I’m reluctant to get too pessimistic or optimistic. They haven’t looked good in their losses but ask me again in about three weeks. I’ll have a different answer.
Question: When do the Orioles think Kyle Gibson can make his first start? From: Todd West
Answer: Todd, Orioles pitching coach Drew French said that Gibson was going to pitch another bullpen session and then join the Norfolk rotation. I think he’ll need three or four minor league starts, so I think May 1st is a reasonable guess for Gibson.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.