The Orioles do not have a particularly strong collection of talent, as evidenced by the pitching the Jays will face. They miss Guthrie, who was a reasonably above average pitcher last year and is probably the only O that could make the Jays starting rotation. They also do not have a particularly strong season catchphrase: "This is Birdland" doesn't really seem to resonate for me. I guess it's more so that all these season catchphrases are pretty bad - the Jay's is "It's Always Game Time" which is non-sensical. Neither is as good as the Giants though... Anyway, for a more in depth analysis of the Orioles comings and goings I will refer you to the Orioles season preview.
Tonight the Jays get 25 year old Matt Albers, making his first start in the AL. Normally a reliever, he's spot starting because the O's had to play a double header last week against Texas. He came over from Houston in that big Miguel Tejada trade just before the details of Miggy's alleged juicing came out, along with Luke Scott who's also off to a good start. Anyway, Albers was bad all around in making 18 starts and coming out of the pen to pitch 110 innings for the Astro's last year, with an era approaching six. He walked too many batters and didn't strike out enough of them to make up for it, (51/71), though he has whiffed 7 against 0 walks coming out of the pen in 6.1 innings this year. He has a live arm and can sit comfortably in the mid 90s with his fastball, which he tends to live off of. The only problem is it straightens out and he can have trouble finding the zone. He also throws a good curve ball, but can have trouble finding it as well. Thats about it though; he'll mix in the occasional change or slider, but he really lives of the fastball and curve.
Tomorrow night we see crafty vetran™ Steve Trachsel. Some of you may remember him from back when he was a Blue Jay - he made 11 starts for the home side in 2000. Anyway, Trachsel is infuriatingly slow most of the time, setting deliberately before coming to the plate. He's not the innings eater he once was though, having only gone 7 innings or more once in his last 16 starts. Look for him to start hitters with his two seam fastball that rests in the mid to high 80s while mixing in a lot of splitters and curve balls; he'll also throw the occasional change up.
A few random notes:
Perpetual trade talk favourite Brian Roberts has started off the season hot with an OPS of almost .900 and 5 steals leading off. It would be surprising if he remained with the team past the trading deadline - he's too good to play for the Orioles basically... Other teams are realizing they can pitch around the really good Nick Markakis and face the not quittteee as good Kevin Millar - Markakis has 11 walks on the year, tied for second in the AL... Millar is 4 for his last 30 with 2 walks and no XBH, almost as bad as Big Papi. Almost...Aubrey Huff attributes the Orioles (now finished) hot start to "just having fun and playing loose, playing relaxed and just having a good time" due to low expectations...Left handed hitting Luke Scott, the O's new LF is off to a good start and gets bonus credit for apparently preparing really hard before games, keeping a journal and everything. For this he is rewarded with the chance to start against LHP... Super prospect Adam Jones got the start in the leadoff spot in the Texas DH and went 2/4, otherwise he is 6/34... New closer George Sherill was light's out for the Mariners last year and hasn't allowed a hit so far this year, picking up 5 saves in 5 appearances. Old friend Spencer Fordin writes that Sherrill really wants the ball, and wants to go as often as he can. ""I think that's the case with a lot of guys," Sherrill said. "If you get a couple days off, it just feels a little weird. Your timing gets a little off, and throwing in the bullpen helps a little bit, but there's no way to simulate getting in a game."
The Hospital: Danys Baez and Chris Ray both recovering from TJ surgery, the unfortunately named Rocky Cherry is out with, uh, a right shoulder strain.
The Credit Section: All offensive stats, pitches per PA for pitchers and league average stats are from the Hardball Times. Pitchers' stats and leverage indices are from Fangraphs. Minor-league stats are from Minor League Splits and First Inning. K% and BB% are strikeouts and walks as a percentage of plate appearances; GB% + LD% + FB% = 100. These are 2008 stats except where noted, so most of the pen ones don't mean much.
