Note: Shortly after recording this segment, pitcher Oliver Drake was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
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Extremely well done. Both.
Appreciate it, Weams. Glad you enjoyed it.
Keep up the good work, gentlemen. Now it's time to see if somehow the Orioles can make it 8-2 with Asher on the mound.
The offense probably will need to back him with a run barrage, but it's been better this week than in the first one. If they can somehow get the W against Estrada, a sweep is very possible -- maybe even probable -- with Bundy starting tomorrow.
These wins are big. Because each one puts the Jays further back. And I'm not convinced the Jays won't be competitive once the season progresses. So nice to the get those Ws now.
Asher totally confounded my expectations in a good way ("run barrage" not needed, just three), Whether he can sustain anywhere near that level of excellence remains to be seen. This could have gone in the win column. Gentry's base running prowess was another good takeaway from the game. (The remarks I hear about how the Orioles need to get rid of him a ludicrous. He proved how valuable he is today. I haven't seen any comparison, but I'm guessing he's a step or so faster than Rickard.)
Agreed that every win is big as Toronto may still be competitive. If Donaldson's out for an appreciable length of time, I don't think there chances are good, because their offense lost a great deal when they didn't resign Encarnacion. Still some decent players in the Jays lineup, but they're just not the same without EE.
And as true as it is about the importance of starting pitching, it can only sustain a team so long that can't generate runs, especially in the tough AL East. Unlike Toronto, I firmly believe the O's offense is a bit better than last season, and it won't be held to a single run very often. The sweep would have been nice, but 3 of 4 is still great on the road, and we know how good Bundy is capable of being, so, I like the chances.
Pretty much agreed with what you said here. Hate to go all Buck on you, but Toronto had the best starting staff in the league last year, so there is that. But, again, I get your point.
I'll see your Happ and raise you a Bundy! lol
Bundy's start reminded me of Asher's, only with better stuff. If he stays healthy and his slider retains it's nastiness, I can easily see him making the All-Star Game. Some writer on a non-Oriole site (I think it was ESPN) said after Bundy's first start of the year, that his starts could soon turn out to be "must see" affairs. Quite something to hear from a source not known to lavish praise on anything O's, and I couldn't agree more. It's only a matter of time before he does something special in one of his starts, so circle the dates.
And imagine if he's ever is able to get his average velo up to the mid-90's, where it was when he was in high school. You think he's toying with hitters now? That would be entering territory that's been largely uncharted since the glory years of Palmer. (And yes, I'm even factoring in the great Mussina.)
What Dylan is for Orioles' pitching, Trey Mancini's rapidly becoming for the offense. I'm just wondering if this is sustainable for him. Is he really that good? If so, we're talking about a serious talent. (Who says the O's haven't done well in their farm system?) And oh yeah, did the club just set an all-time record for most players hitting homers in the same game with the same bat?
The Jays had the best starting pitching last year, but it doesn't look like that's going to carry over, especially not if Happ & Sanchez are out for any appreciable time. Then there's the possibility that Donaldson's going to be hobbled for a while -- 10-day DL, but maybe they brought him back to soon for the O's series. Things could snowball quickly, as they have the Red Sox coming to town on Tuesday. Getting buried in the East isn't where a team wants to be, not when it requires climbing over four talented teams. 2017 could easily end up as a dumpster fire season for Toronto. It also means the O's will have one less competitor to deal with in the East.
Now, the Birds fly here to Cincinnati, and the hitters should absolutely fall in love with Great American Ballpark as it's a very cozy, homer-friendly stadium. Another four-homer game, anyone?