The off day is out of the way and the Orioles are in New York.
Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters! After a well-deserved off day, the Orioles are back in action tonight for a huge series with the New York Yankees. First pitch isn’t for 12 hours and I don’t know about you, but I’m already nervous.
Before yesterday, the Orioles hadn’t had an off day since May 30. They played 17 games in 17 days. They had an eight-game road trip sandwiched between nine home games. They faced two division rivals and the top two teams in the NL East. And they went 12-5 in that stretch. They’re good!
I hope the team made the most of its off day because tonight they kick off a 13-game stretch without an off day that will take them through the end of the month. And it won’t be an easy road, either. Because it’s never easy, is it? In this stretch, the Orioles face not only the Yankees but also the first-place Cleveland Guardians and both underachieving Texas teams. Once the calendar turns to July the Orioles will have four straight Mondays off and the All-Star break.
But first, the Yankees. I would love if Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez were starting on the road against the team about the Orioles in the standings, but the three pitchers slated all have good upside. Albert Suárez continues to defy expectations, Cade Povich is coming of a great start against Atlanta, and Cole Irvin’s solid season has continued of late, even if he’s not as dominant lately as he was earlier this year.
It won’t be easy, though, especially because Yankee ace Gerrit Cole will be making his season debut on Wednesday, opposing Cade Povich. The Yankees’ pitching has been good this year, and this will just make it tougher. But the Orioles have already handled plenty of good pitchers this year, so bring it on.
Links
Drew French on John Means: “Team first, very selfless guy” – MASN Sports
Drew French talks about pitcher injuries and the loss of John Means.
Scott Boras says his Orioles clients enjoy the winning environment in Baltimore – The Baltimore Banner
Scott Boras and David Rubenstein had a talk when the sale of the Orioles was final. And Boras tells Andy Kostka that it’s a misnomer that his clients never sign extensions.
Orioles’ Wells has internal brace procedure to repair UCL – Baltimore Sun
It was relatively good news for Tyler Wells as he got the procedure on this elbow that requires a shorter recovery time than the full Tommy John.
Do The 2024 Orioles Have Their Version Of Mike Boddicker? – PressBox
Stan “The Fan” Charles wonders if Cade Povich could be for the 2024 Orioles what Mike Boddicker was for the 1983 Orioles. Feels…a little premature?
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have two Orioles birthday buddies. Carlos Méndez turns 50 years old today! He played in 26 games for the 2003 team. It was his only major league experience.
Also, a very happy birthday to Caleb Joseph. Joseph was with the Orioles from 2014-18, primarily as a backup catcher to Matt Wieters. He couldn’t really hit but was (and I assume still is) a delightful human. He had his moments at the plate, though! Like in 2014 when he homered in five consecutive games. Baby’s gotta eat! Joseph turns 38 years old today.
On this day last year, the Orioles defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-3 at Wrigley Field. They had 14 hits including three from leadoff batter Austin Hays. Anthony Santander hit his 10th home run. Félix Bautista got his 19th save and the Orioles ran their record to 44-27. One year later they are three games better than that.
In 2011, the Orioles lost 4-2 to the Washington Nationals. Brian Matusz started. He gave up four runs in 5.1 innings and his ERA went from 5.11 to 5.60.
In 2007, the Orioles fired manager Sam Perlozzo and named Dave Trembley the interim manager. Trembley would later be named the permanent manager. My, how times have changed.
And in 1995, the Orioles traded Andy Van Slyke to the Phillies for pitcher Gene Harris. If you don’t remember Pirates legend Andy Van Slyke playing for the Orioles, don’t worry. It was only 17 games.