SB Nation User Blog: the fix is in

Snow is cleared from the M&T Bank Stadium field. Baltimore Sun

the fix is in — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:37:46 -0000

Snow is cleared from the M&T Bank Stadium field.
Baltimore Sun

Black Pants on the Ravens in 2009

the fix is in — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:15:01 -0000

The Ravens have gone 1-4 this year wearing black pants, which feature no pant striping at all. They also feature black socks, which are lame.The black pants would maybe be better if they were striped, or maybe if their socks were striped.

The ravens are 5-2 when wearing white pants. The home team sometimes plays in the white road jersey early in the season. The Ravens wore white jerseys with black pants at home in week one. THat was the only win in black pants for the Ravens all year. In a road game against the Chargers, the Ravens were forced to wear their home jersey, which thankfully has not been paired with black pants this year. The Ravens won that road game, wearing white pants. Those were the only exceptions to the home/road jersesies for the Ravens this year. The only other road game won this year was against Cleveland, which was also the only road game this year, in which they worre white jerseys, that they wore white pants with.

The Ravens need to wear white pants with the white jerseys on the road. They would look better and play better, apparently.

Week 10 Link

One can only wonder how the Ravens would preform with the return of striped socks! The Ravens won a Super Bowl in the 2000-2001 and went to the play offs in the 2001-2002 season, with striped socks!

More home runs, please

the fix is in — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:19:48 -0000

In 2009, the Baltimore Orioles hit 160 home runs. I decided to look more into the situation today after picking up Weaver on Strategy, which is a classic bathroom-reader/cigarette-accompanier in this house.

Weaver wrote: [1973]... Earl Williams lead us with 22 homers, followed by Grich, with only 12. The team only had 119 homers. I prefer my clubs to hit at least 150 homers. I don't want to take anything away from that club, but it won the fewest games of any division-winning club I managed. Every game was a struggle because of our lack of power, the unability to break it wide open with one swing of the bat. I've managed and won with guys who hit singles and stole bases, but I'd much rather have a power club. Those home runs make life a lot easier.

Since then, of course, home run totals have increased, and the team's 160 homers in 2009 were only good for 11th in the American League. The Yankees led with 244 home runs. In 1973, Cleveland led the American league, which had twelve teams at the time, with 158. So when Weaver is talking about desiring 150 home runs, he really means he wants a top-3 or top-5 team in the category. I'm not exactly trying to advocate that the Orioles need Weaver to manage again (he won't) , or that the Orioles need to take Weaver's book and make a bible out of it (hey, that might not be a bad idea, huh?). But it stands to point. The top five teams in home runs in order were NYY, TEX, BOS, TOR, TB. They averaged about 89 wins. In terms of the AL Least, 89 wins would have been good for third place. This is the situation the Orioles are in. Hitting more home runs would be very good for the Orioles in 2010! Isn't it a little depressing that every team in the division was a home run leader other than Baltimore?

All things being equal from 2009 to 2010, the Orioles need to hit 183 home runs have the average in the AL. That is a 14% increase. To catch up to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles would have to increase by 39 home runs, or 24%. That is quite a formidable task if the team returns with mostly the same lineup. Where can we find these home runs? We might reasonably hope that Adam Jones plays in more than 120 games, which in itself should be good for 25 home runs (+6 over 2009) and that doesn't count any growth as a young player. If Matt Wieters hit home runs at the same rate that he did for all 96 games that he played it, and he plays 130 games, he'd only have 12 (+3, WOO we're getting somewhere. Except not really). Other than pointing out that Wieters could help in the DH spot on off-days, it also really points out how much of a breakout we are truly expecting from him. It's almost unreasonable.

We might also predict that Markakis will return to his 20-25 home run form, and hope and pray he develops into a 25-30 guy. On the other hand, Brian Roberts is most likely to not hit 16 home runs again. His peak is 18, and his average is 11.

This is why I'm starting to like the idea of Dan Uggla coming in to provide us with 30 home runs a year. I would barely care if he was a DH of if he learns 3B, which is really the only place that I believe he'll fit on the field. In 2010, the Orioles may find themselves missing Aubrey Huff. Aubrey Huff has averaged 25 home runs over the last five years. His 15 home runs in 2009 was just as flukey as his 32 in 2008. He's a hot/cold player, but he's not Luke Scott.

I also want to point out that home runs are not a necessity either, because there were four teams who posted below-average totals and still had winning records. This includes playoff teams LAA and MIN, with 173 and 172, respectively. This is because of superior OBP and SLG percentages.

Although the Orioles finished with above-average marks in doubles, the team was 11th in walks, severely hurting both their OBP (by getting on base less) and SLG (by raising the number of at bats) percentages. So I guess the Orioles could equally desire to pick up some walks, but either way, increasing the home run total is very important because honestly, only KC and OAK were worse than Baltimore. And also, I'm actually trying to focus this fanpost on home runs, obviously.

2010 will be an interesting year. I believe that the LF/DH/1B solution is in-house. But I can't figure it out. Which platoons to use? If Aubrey Huff is resigned, it would be a good thing, but it would mean that Luke Scott needs to be traded, esspecially if Wieters' bat demands to be in the lineup everyday. I liked Aubrey Huff at first in 2009.

Discuss.

Brady Anderson playing for the Legends in the classic old time "Base Ball" game. He was traded to...

the fix is in — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:58:29 -0000

Brady Anderson playing for the Legends in the classic old time "Base Ball" game. He was traded to the Stogies for their catcher and big bag of fake cash.

Bergesen is rehabbing in Saratosa, FL

the fix is in — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:00:30 -0000

Bergesen is rehabbing in Saratosa, FL

Another update on the status of Bergesen's recovery. He left Sunday to begin a throwing program at the Orioles spring training complex.

Awaiting Bergesen's return - with links

the fix is in — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:06:04 -0000

Photo via www.baltimoresun.com

Brad Bergesen came up on April 14, and quickly began to ~~win games~~ pitch impressive quality starts which were not always taken advantage of by the Orioles. His 7-5 record is impressive for a rookie, but his performance is actually comparable to pitchers who are 10-4 on a winning team. The numbers are simple: 13 quality starts out of 19 games started. When he returns, he will be attempting to go for his eighth QS in a row, something that an Oriole has not done seemingly ever.

On July 30, Bergesen was wrapping up the 7th inning of a beautifully pitched win against the Royals when he was hit directly in the shin on a comebacker. He displayed the badass in him by dapping his catcher and hobbling into the dugout, absolutely refusing to be examined on the field by trainers. You don't see that all the time in 21st century baseball. He almost threw up from the pain and he called it the worst he's felt in his life.

The news the next day was all about "xrays negative but it could be a hairline fracture" , which it wasn't. He was put on the 15 day DL the day after the injury, with today (Saturday) being the 15th day. On Monday, we were treated to the good news that Bergesen shed his crutches and had begun throwing from the side. In the article, he estimated that he was "5 or 6 days away from returning" and also shed some insight about how pissed off he is.

It's terrible. The whole week was just miserable. Sitting around watching the games and not being able to be there was not a good feeling.

Well, today is the fifth day since then, and another article has emerged. This one, I warn, is NOT feel-good-happy-time.

Bergesen's Recovery has setback by Spencer Fordin

Although he is able to walk without much of a limp, and although he believes he can pitch through it, the team is taking a safer route, requiring all pain to be gone before he makes his next start. He has not gotten on the mound yet, and his knee hurts when he lands. The article says the last week of August is the best bet.

The longer it takes, the greater the chance that he'll be shut down. I'm at the point where I'm saying that if Bergesen says he can pitch through the pain, let him pitch through the pain. I believe him. Pitching through an injury could be a valuable learning experience. It's not his right arm that's hurt. I'm probably delusional. He needs his rest, he's only a rookie. I really miss that small little humping motion he gives before he pitches, reminding us all that Pimping ain't E-E-Easy.

SPACE IS BIRDLAND Something new I saw on Orioles.com "Where is BIRDLAND?"

the fix is in — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:23:34 -0000

SPACE IS BIRDLAND

Something new I saw on Orioles.com "Where is BIRDLAND?"

Watching Matt Wieters in the second half

the fix is in — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:08:17 -0000

Baseball is back today from the All-Star break. Oakland and Anaheim are just getting underway in the only AL matchup. Tomorrow the Orioles start their second half in Chciago, to begin a long road trip. The game starts at 8:11, but is probably still being sponsored by 7-11. Advertising has begun to take over our sense of time, in addition to space.

Anyway, tomorrow's game will be the team's 39th game After Wieters. It will be his 32nd game started this year. His line has not been that bad at all for a catcher: .259/.316/.407/.724 . But his progress has certainly been a little slower than we had hoped. We constantly see his average improving, and it's not an illusion. Until he hit his first home run on June 17, he had an OPS of an anemic .584 . When you start your career that slowly, it's not extremely difficult to have your batting average rise. But the fact is, in July (only 7 games) he's been looking much better, posting a .304 average to OPS .863 . In those seven games, he's also taken three walks which is a good sign.

After rarely striking out in the minor leagues, Wieters struck out 31 times in his first 25 games. It was the worst sight to see all year, because it almost made you worry. But his strikeout rate has been falling; from a high of 32%, it's fallen to only 21.4%. Another seven games like he's had, and his strikeouts will be down to the league average of 17%.

His power has also been taking some time. Of his 28 major league hits, only 9 have been for extra-bases. Homeruns account for 3 of those. As mentioned before, his walks are starting to slowly trickle up. I think that it's going to be a slow process, but the power will be worth it. He has to get the Ks down and bring the BBs up. The power will come shortly after.

So I dunno.... open discussion about Wieters? I really can't wait. Although I think next year will be his true break out, seeing him hit is probably number one on what I'm looking foward to in the second half. Even if the team does that pathetic 4-25 stuff, I'm going to have fun watching this new catcher.

Where we've been and where are we going? Jeremy Guthrie

the fix is in — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:32:33 -0000

Jeremy Guthrie - Our opening day starter, he was the only starter we had who had had major league success. On Opening Day, he gave us an alright taste of what was to come: a six-inning, three-run quality start. As Oriole fans, we appreciate quality starts more than most, but sometimes you want to expect more from certain guys. And there lies the heart of the Guthrie "issue" - he is not gonna be a number one pitcher. The popular line was "he's not an ace. He's OUR ace." Anyway, Opening Day told us to be happy with a quality start. We were way too quick in demanding that 7th or 8th inning.

Halfway through the year, Guthrie is not our best pitcher. And that is a good thing. Because Guts has only been serviceable so far. He struggled in June, with an ERA of 5.76 for the month, He has allowed 20 homeruns, where most of his problems lie. When he allows baserunners, they get to trot in. When he doesn't, the home runs are generally solo shots. What I find troubling is that Guthrie has only managed 9 quality starts through 18 attempts this year. He can do better. Last year he was 19 for 30.

So what to make of it? And which Guthrie do we see in the second half? This will probably be one of the more compelling situations to watch. Let's just keep in mind that it is a BAD thing if a number three guy is your best pitcher and a GOOD thing when Guthrie takes his rightful place in the rotation (because that means that better pitchers are taking up the spots ahead of him). I think he's going to work it out and finish with an ERA in the low 4s. I just wish some people were not so harsh on him. I think he's pretty awesome, and has a place on this team for the next five years.

For 18 games, all started, he has gone 6-8 with a 5.35 ERA. He has a 1.82 K/BB rate, which is a tad down from the 2.03 he has averaged over the past six years.

Guthrie on BR

Orioles 4, Blue Jays 2: Bergesen is God

the fix is in — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:25:02 -0000

In the final day of baseball before the All-Star break, the Orioles left a good taste in our mouths that will last at least until Friday. Both teams had their managers in the dugout for the first time in this series; Trembley returning from his two game suspension and Cito returning from his sister's funeral.

The game got started easy enough. In the top of the 3rd inning, home plate ump got hit in the mask by a foul ball. After pretending he was okay, he left after the side, and Dale Scott took over, leading a three man crew for the remainder of the game. The Blue Jays' rookie pitcher, Marc Rzepczynski, seemed a bit flustered by the long delay. He let up an RBI double to Brian Roberts in the bottom of the inning, which was soon followed by a RBI single by Markakis.

Brad Bergesen and all of his excellence, held that lead for as long as he could, taking a shutout into the 7th inning. The only time he didn't look sharp was in the first couple innings, when he walked a couple and scattered a few hits. It still doesn't feel natural yet, to get a 2-0 lead, and feel confident in our chances to win. Bergesen is showing us what the future looks like. He does not get rattled. He throws strikes and does not back down. He is the Orioles best pitcher at only 23 years old. After much restraint so far this year, I think that it's time to just heap praise on Bergy. The kid deserves it, This was one of the best first half pitching performances I've seen an Oriole have. The last game he pitched was probably his worst all year, surrenduring 4 runs in 6 to Seattle. Today, he proved that to be an abberration, with a line not unlike all of his other games: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R , 3K , 2 BB . Other than the Seattle game, you have to go all the way back to May 19 for his last loss. His ERA has dropped below 3.55, good for 11th in the major leagues. He is also staying in the game longer than any Oriole. He hasn't left in the 6th inning since May 24 against Washington. Even though he joined the team later, he now leads the team in ERA and IP. Reimold had better get off that ROY trophy.

Getting back to the game that was played today, the Orioles added another run in the 6th with a solo shot by Oscar Salazar, who was DHing in place of Luke Scott. Aubrey Huff also recieved the day off. Bergesen doesn't need all of that production anyway. Isn't that such a departure from earlier in the year? I used to stay away from the TV on Sundays because I believed that the team didn't even try to win. Bergesen's day finally came to an end in the top of the 7th, after Marco Scutaro hit a RBI single brought the Blue Jays to 3-2. Scutaro smirks, not unlike a michievious child, and he was also the only guy that gave Bergesen problems today. I'm starting to dislike him, and I don't even know him.

Brian Roberts got one of those runs back in the bottom of the side for a 4-2 lead, which became final after Johnson and Sherrill got the last six outs.

It was not a positive road trip for the Blue Jays, finishing 2-8 against division rivals Yanks, Rays, and the Orioles. The Blue Jays were winning this division at the quarter pole, but now sit two games under .500 at the break. I make this point because I still believe that the Orioles should be able to finish in 4th place this year. The talent is there.

Blue Jays vs Orioles boxscore | Bluebird Banter

Poll

MBP for 7/12/09

Brad Bergesen (W, 6.2 IP, 2 R, 7 H)

293 votes

Brian Roberts (2-4, 2 RBI)

13 votes

Oscar Salazar ( 2 H, HR)

21 votes

327 votes | Poll has closed