The trade deadline inches closer, Gunnar looks up to Seager, and a new series gets underway.
It was nice for the Orioles to have an off day after only one series back from the All-Star break. Usually they have to play four weeks straight before they are offered the pittance of 24 hours off the clock.
This respite has already been helpful for Brandon Hyde. It pushed the need for a fifth starter back a few days, which allows the skipper to carry an extra bullpen arm. Assuming the Orioles do add to their pitching staff in the next week, the timing is pretty much perfect.
The opposite is true for the O’s upcoming opponent. The Marlins opened the second half with a four-game series that included an evening finale on Monday. It’s a brutal way to begin the stretch run for a club that is already short on arms.
Something to watch this series is the chance at a trade between dugouts. The Marlins are selling. The Orioles are buying. There could be a match, specifically with old friend Tanner Scott. The hard-throwing lefty has settled into the closer role for Miami and served as their all-star representative this season. His 10.13 strikeouts per nine and 1.27 ERA would be helpful in the bullpen right about now. It’s just a matter of what it will cost and how much Orioles fans can endure the heart burn that ensues from his appearances.
Links
With a week to go, one bold trade deadline prediction for each team | The Athletic
To save you a click, they think the O’s will get a big relief name…but they don’t know which ones are going to move. That’s….helpful?
Gunnar Henderson grew up a Corey Seager fan. The Rangers shortstop is now a fan of his. | The Baltimore Sun
Do not do this to me! Don’t tell me that a current superstar “looked up” to a player that is still very, very good and also younger than me. I cannot handle that this morning.
The Orioles’ Oft-Overlooked Outfielder | MLB Trade Rumors
Kyle Stowers deserves to play in the big leagues, and the Orioles could use some bullpen help. That makes a trade pretty logical. Now, Stowers alone is not going to get the Orioles a late-inning arm, but it could help them shore up the middle innings. That still feels more valuable than a bat on the Norfolk shuttle.
Some thoughts on Orioles offense, Santander’s hot stretch and trade deadline rumors | Roch Kubatko
Roch proclaims that Jackson Holliday is not moving at the trade deadline. That makes sense to me. He still feels like this team’s everyday second baseman by the time the playoffs roll around.
Breaking down the 6 types of prospects the Orioles could trade this month | The Baltimore Banner
Another good read from Jon Meoli. The Orioles are going to make trades that will include prospects. Not all of those prospects will be “Top 100” types. This is a nice primer for others than could move.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
No current or former Orioles players were born on this day. However, noteable baseballers Nomar Garciaparra (b. 1973), Don Drysdale (b. 1936, d. 1993), and Pee Wee Reese (b. 1918, d. 1999) were. A few other famous folks born today are guitarist Slash (b. 1965), basketball player Gary Payton (b. 1968), and actor Daniel Radcliffe (b. 1989).
This day in O’s history
1971 – Pat Dobson wins his tenth straight decision for the Orioles in a 4-3 victory over the Angels.
1998 – O’s catcher Lenny Webster collects four hits, including a double and home run, as the Birds beat the A’s 9-7.
2013 – The O’s and Brewers make a trade that lands legendary closer Francisco Rodriguez in Charm City in exchange for prospect Nick Delmonico.