Earl Weaver Rules

The Orioles signed Japanese left handed starter Tsuyoshi Wada to a two year, $8.15 million deal that also includes a $5 million option for 2014.  Wada had a really nice year in Japan last year (1.53 ERA, 16-5 record with 168 strikeouts in 184 2/3 innings).  He’ll follow in the footsteps of Koji Uehara, who the Orioles were able to sell high at the trade deadline last year.

Wada is a left hander and I like the move. If he can be a solid third or fourth starter, the Orioles should get their money’s worth for a little more then four million a year.  The Orioles continue to develop their international scouting and I like some of these moves they’re making.  It looks like the Orioles have their eyes on Chen Wei-Yin in Taiwan.

The Orioles traded Jarret Martin and Tyler Henson for Dodgers starting pitcher Dana Eveland.  Eveland has bounced around and while he was solid with the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate, he always seems to have a problem once he’s throwing in the big leagues.

The Orioles will be Eveland’s seventh team and he’s only 28.  Probably the biggest trade he’s been in was the one that sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks.  He’ll make $750,000 next year which is solid for a guy who should compete for a spot in the back of the rotation.  With the Orioles still on the outside looking in, they need a few innings eaters while their young talent develops and hopefully Eveland can fill that role.

As far as what they gave up, Henson was a fifth round pick that never really panned out although he’s still only 24.  Martin is a few years away and he looks like he needs to work on his command.  So they didn’t give up any blue chips.

The Orioles put right handed pitching prospect Oliver Drake onto the 40 man roster and in effect, they protected him from the Rule 5 draft coming up in a couple of weeks.  Drake pitched at three different levels last year and put up some solid numbers.  He did struggle once he got to Double-A though and my guess is that’s where he starts the 2012 season.

That put the number of players on the 40 man roster to 39.  The Orioles have been in talks about signing a Korean pitcher so he could be the final roster spot but that also meant there were some odd men out. 2011 Minor League pitcher of the year, Tim Bascom, was left off the roster so he could be scooped up by someone in December.

The Orioles are close to a deal that would lock up Korean relief pitcher Tae-Hyon Chong.  They’ve apparantly agreed to terms but the specifics still aren’t locked down so we’ll have to see if we’re getting a bargain or not.  Chong helped Korea win the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics and he’s an unconventional submarine style pitcher.

He still has to pass a physical but I’m always leery of these foreign players.  His numbers are impressive (under 2.00 ERA) but it’s in a completely different league.  And eventually these odd deliveries work for part of the season before teams and players catch on.  Still, hopefully he’ll make a solid contribution to the Orioles pen after is was gutted during the 2011 trade deadline.

Kevin Goldstein released his list of the top eleven Orioles prospects and it’s a pretty good batch with two five star prospects and one four star.  Topping the list is right handed pitcher and 2011 first round draft pick Dylan Bundy.  He just turned 19 and he’ll most likely get a full season slot to start the season but this kid bears watching.  He was taken fourth overall and it’ll be fun to see how he develops.

Second is the Orioles 2010 first round pick, Manny Machado.  The shortstop split time between Low-A and High-A he’s also 19.  Goldstein speculates that he could eventually move to third base but this is another guy I’m interested in seeing develop.

Rounding out the top five are Jonathan Schoop (inf), Nick Delmonico (3b) and Jason Esposito (3b).  All of these guys are a couple of years away.  The Orioles have some nice young talent coming up we just have to be patient as they all develop.

2011 is in the books and the Orioles weren’t that bad at the plate. They finished seventh in the American League in runs scored so that puts them at the worst team in the top half but you took the good with the bad.  They were sixth in batting average and slugging but just tenth in OBP so getting some more guys on base with some walks will just ensure that this team has even better season at the plate in 2012.

With Mark Reynolds, you take the good with the bad.  He led the team with 37 home runs and 86 RBIs but he hit just .221 and he struck out 196 times. He did draw 75 walks though and was also tops on the team.  JJ Hardy belted 30 home runs Adam Jones went yard 25 times.  Seven of the nine regulars had OPS+ of over 100 so that was a good thing but nobody was more then 119.  So you have a lineup of good but not great hitters.

Robert Andino had the toughest time at the plate.  He finished with just a .670 OPS.  Derrek Lee was the other guy below the OPS+ 100 mark with a .706 OPS.  He only played in 85 games for the Orioles though.

What a crazy day.  The Red Sox had the lead for most of the second half of their game against the Orioles and they needed it to force a one game playoff against the Rays.  Then the Orioles rallied in the ninth and in the blink of an eye, the Red Sox playoff chances were done.

Things went well at first when Jon Papelbon  struck out the first two hitters.  The Chris Davis doubled and Nolan Reimold followed that up with a ground rule double to tie up the game.  Then Robert Andino got his first hit of the day and he drove home Reimold with a single to win it.  It was a crazy part of a crazy day.

There was also that rain delay that had to be tough for the Red Sox.  They got to sit and watch the Rays come back from six down late in their game against the Yankees.  It was one of the best days baseball has had in a while and it was nice to see the Orioles were a part of it.

With a little more then a month left in the season, Orioles fans have little to do but watch their team and hope for next year.  It’s never going to be easy playing in the AL East but the Orioles have some minor league studs and if guys like Brian Matusz pan out, the Orioles will be good sooner rather than later.  Still, going through another 90-100 loss season is rough.

Last night, the Angels made short work of the Orioles.  Jo Jo Reyes was hammered for five early runs and he fell to 6-10.  Even the pen was hit hard and they gave up three runs.

Adam Jones drove in two runs and scored once in the 8-3 loss.  Matt Wieters went two for three with an RBI.  Mark Reynolds had the tough luck game with three strikeouts.  If Reynolds finishes with a .212 batting average which is where he’s at now, and assuming he hits 30 home runs, it’ll be the fourth lowest batting average by a guy with 30 home runs.  He set the record last year with a .198 average.

Tommy Hunter gets the start today.  He has yet to really find his stuff since coming over from Texas.

The Orioles made some moves at the trade deadline.  They’re in last place again and that hot start is long forgotten so now it’s time to think about next year.  The bigger deal had them sending Derrek Lee to the Pirates (who are buyers these days) for Pirates prospect Aaron Baker.  Baker is having a solid season this year in the Pirates farm system and he has 15 home runs and 72 RBIs.  He’s probably a year or two away but he could eventually be a solid big league first baseman.

The Orioles also sent Koji Uehera to the Rangers for Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis.  Chris Davis was a top first base prospect and he’s never lived up to his billing.  You could see him being the placeholder for a couple of years until someone down in the system develops.  Hunter had a nice season in 2010 but a groin injury set him back and he missed the first three months of the season.  He was pitching out of the pen but I’d expect him to start for Baltimore.

I like the moves.  Lee was a placeholder and they would have had to re-sign him if the wanted to keep him so they got something for them.  And Uehera was pitching out of his mind and they got someone for him when his stock was high.

Brian Matusz is a future ace and it was disappointing that he missed the first two months but now he’s back. He’s going to be kept on a tight leash but he got off to a nice start with a solid start against the Mariners.  He gave up just a run on four hits with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.  He was cut short at 84 pitches and but the good news is, the Orioles still won the game 2-1.  Andruw Jones hit a solo home run in the eighth inning to give the Orioles the win.

Jim Johnson picked up the win and he improved to 4-1.  He gave up a hit and didn’t allow a walk. Kevin Gregg threw a shutout ninth and he picked up his ninth save of the season.

Jones finished the game three for four.  J.J. Hardy also had a nice game and he went two for four with a solo home run that put the Orioles on the board in the second.

The Orioles are 48 games in and they sit at a nice, even 24-24 mark.  Fortunately, the rest of the division has been tight and while that only puts them a half game ahead of the last place Blue Jays, they’re only three games back of the Yankees.  It’s almost the end of May, the Orioles are still in it.  That’s a leg up on most of the past few years.

Adam Jones has been the hitting star.  He’s right there in batting average and he leads the team in home runs and RBIs.  Vlad Guerrero has been a force when he’s been in the lineup and even Matt Wieters seems to finally be having a mini-breakout year.

Jake Arrieta has been one of the guys to get it done on the mound and he has six wins.  Zach Britton and Jeremy Guthrie has also been solid.  Still, I think when Brian Matusz comes back will be when this team really turns the corner.

The Orioles head out west (like the Yankees) and they have two straight series out there.  First up are the A’s.  When they come home they’ll be takin gon the Blue Jays so hopefully they can get it done while out on the west coast.

The first month of the season isn’t even over with and the Orioles season has been an odd one.  They started 6-2 since then they’ve gone 4-10.  And that’s only after back to back wins in their first two games against the last place (yes, I like saying that) Red Sox.  There’s still a lot of ball to play and if not for a somewhat hot Yankees team (although even they’ve cooled off), they’d be right in the mix.

It’s hard to pick a hitting star because nobody is really lighting it up at the plate.  Vlad Guerrero is the best hitting starter with a .286 batting average but he only has three home runs.  Adam Jones leads the team with five home runs and he’s second with 14 RBIs but he’s only hitting .240.  Brian Roberts leads the team with 16 RBIs.

On the pitching side, Zach Britton and Jeremy Guthrie have been very solid.  Britton has four wins and a 2.84 ERA while Guthrie has a 2.53 ERA but only one win.  After that, it goes a little bit downhill and you hope Brian Matusz can come back soon and make an impact in the rotation.

The Orioles start a three game set against the White Sox in Chicago.   They’ve been struggling so hopefully the Orioles can continue to get back on track and keep them down.

What up B-more? How tough/cool/awesome do you guys feel after the Wire? I know I would. You guys should erect a statue of Omar similar to Rocky in Philly or Robocop in the D. Here’s a look at your starting rotation and key relievers.
STARTERS
1. Jeremy Guthrie. 2010 stats: 3.83 ERA, 11-14, 1.16 WHIP. Brief: A great WHIP and a low strikeout rate (5.1 per nine) for Guthrie last season. He has great control and the added pop in the Orioles order may be able to help his under-.500 record. In a league with so much power at the plate, it’s hard to get by without a higher strikeout rate. But we shall see.
2. Brian Matusz. 2010 stats: 4.30 ERA, 10-12, 1.34 WHIP. Brief: Only in baseball would the fact that Brian Matusz got a wart removed be considered news. These pitchers are more fragile than china dolls man, I swear. Matusz, a first round pick, fourth overall, in 2008, Matusz is still trying to figure out life in the big leagues, but make no mistake, he has nasty stuff.
3. Justin Duhscherer. 2010 stats: 2010 stats: 2.89 ERA, 2-1, 1.36 WHIP. Brief: So many health issues for Duhscherer and so little time. The top teams not only have top end talent in the starting roles…but look at the depth of pitching for the Sox and the Yankees, who knows if the Orioles will ever be able to assemble that depth.
4. Brad Bergesen. 2010 stats: 4.98 ERA, 4-12, 1.44 WHIP. Brief: The key for Bergesen will be whether or not he can get that sinker to stick in the bottom of the strike zone and below. In the first half, he got lit up like a christmas tree (or a manora). But in the second half, he was great (3.94 ERA, 1.26 WHIP).
5. Jake Arrieta. 2010 stats: 4.66 ERA, 6-6, 1.53 WHIP. Brief: Another young pitcher for the Orioles who, at this point in his career, is more hype than proven big league pitcher.
RELIEF
Mike Gonzalez. 2010 stats: 4.01 ERA, 10 holds, 1.30 WHIP. Brief: Middle-to-late relief for Gonzalez but he’s third on the depth chart for closing out ball games. Another pitcher with an injury riddled career. I’m starting to think that throwing a ball with various twisting arm motions as hard as you possibly can may not be good for your arm.
Closer: Kevin Gregg. 2010 stats: 3.51 ERA, 37 saves, 1.39 WHIP. Brief: Manager Buck Showalter tabbed Gregg as the closer heading into opening day because of his experience closing in the AL East with the Blue Jays last season. Showalter also announced, in a surprise decision, to change the fabric in his team’s jerseys from polyester to cotton…we’ll just have to see how that plays out.
ALRIGHT SEEYA NEXT WEEK.

Welcome to the first post in a season-long blog on your beloved Orioles. As an outsider looking in (and a Cleveland Indians fan) the two things about the Orioles that stir any emotion in me whatsoever are as follows — the bald bouncer from the Jerry Springer Show snapping the Iron Horse’s record and Robbie Alomar hawking a fat loogie in that umpire’s face. Despite my jaded memories, the fact remains that in the mid-90′s, Baltimore was a force to be reckoned with in the American League. So most of you probably have your beliefs in how to restore the O’s to glory. In this preview I’ll give a quick rundown of the projected starting lineup in this first post. In the second, I’ll take a look at the starting rotation and some key relievers (the ones not charged with manslaughter). So here we go. In the words of Samuel L. Jackson, “Hold on to your butts.”
OUTFIELD:
Left field: Luke Scott. 2010 Splits: .284 batting average, 27 home runs, 72 RBI, .902 OPS. Brief: Last season, Scott was the power hitter on a team lacking power. It’s not a great compliment but make no mistake, Scott is a very solid hitter that brings consistency to the O’s lineup from the leftside of the dish.
Center field: Adam Jones. 2010 splits: .284 average, 19 home runs, 69 RBI, .767 OPS. Brief: The prodigy I’m sure many Orioles fans are waiting on to take the next step in his development. He splashed on the scene a couple years ago and has shown signs of breaking out. Scouts have said that his bat is generating more power and producing more backspin on the ball, allowing it to carry. Here’s hoping for Baltimore fans that Jones can doink a few more off that hot dog in right field.
Right field: Nick Markakis 2010 splits: .297 average, 12 home runs, 60 RBI, .805 OPS. Brief: The 27-year-old has saw his power numbers dip for the fourth consecutive year. Great average, but at a position normally reserved for dudes with 20-inch biceps that tear the cover off the ball, wouldn’t you guys trade some average points for some increased slugging?

INFIELD
Third base: Mark Reynolds. 2010 splits: .198 average, 32 home runs, 85 RBI, .753 OPS. Brief: You know what I wrote for Markakis? Go ahead and take that rationale and flip it on his head. In a move to add some pop from the right side of the dish, the Orioles brought in the strikeout king of Arizona (sort of like the Sausage King of Chicago). This dude is truly feast or famine, but when he’s feasting, the ball is in the stratosphere.
Shortstop: J.J. Hardy. 2010 splits: .268 average, six home runs, 38 RBI, .714 OPS. Brief: A tough go for Hardy in 2010 with the Twins. Injuries and the big new ballpark in Minneapolis led to miniscule power numbers. He’s still just 28 and if he can keep his wrists, amongst other body parts, healthy.
Second base: Brian Roberts. 2010 splits: .278 average, 4 home runs, 15 RBI, .745 OPS. Brief: Remember in the early 2000′s when Roberts was a one-man unstoppable force of nature? (Coincidentally it occurred right in the meat of the so-called steroids era. But I digress…) Roberts was riddled with injuries last year, hence the low numbers. Now 33-years-old, perhaps Roberts best days are behind him. However, if he can keep that average up above .280 and drive the ball gap-to-gap, Roberts will remain a very valuable piece on this O’s roster.
First base: Derek Lee. 2010 splits: .260 average, 19 home runs, 80 RBI, .774 OPS. Brief: My man is a true mystery. I think now that he’s 35, it’s time to accept that Lee isn’t a power hitter. I’ve heard excuses from my Cubs fan friends about the lack of power from D-Lee. (Many of them are legit considering his track record of injuries). But, we see this 6-foot-five dude with big muscles and expect him to hit 40 home runs and it’s just not his thing. He’s at his best when he’s driving the ball to right-center field for extra-base hits. P.S. Lee took batting practice for the first time with that bum thumb of his…so you got that going for you…which is nice…
Catcher: Matt Wieters. 2010 splits: .249 average, 11 home runs, 55 RBI, .695 OPS. Brief: Wieters is a 6-foot-five 230-pound lumberjack that’s oozing with potential that Orioles fans are hoping he taps into in 2011. The 2007 first round pick needs to come alive and he needs to do it now-ish if the Orioles want to be taken seriously. Get it goin’ Hoss.
DH: Vlad Guerrero. 2010 splits: .300 average, 29 home runs, 115 RBI, .841 OPS. Brief: I started laughing when I saw Vlad’s stats in ’10. An average year for Guerrero was a career year for 98 percent of the league. I love this guy. He swings at everything, he hits everything, he’s tough, doesn’t wear batting gloves…what’s not to like? If the Orioles tank (just playing devil’s advocate) O’s fans can still go see a guy whom I consider one of the most fun players to watch.
Alright that’s it for this week, see you next time for pitchers. Seacrest out.

The Orioles made another addition to their staff and they signed oft injured Justin Duchscherer to a one year, incentive laden deal.  His base salary is $700,000 but he could earn up to as much as $4.5 million if he pitches well all year.  Duchscherer is a solid arm, he just hasn’t been able to stay out on the mound.  He’s also been shuffled back and forth between a starter and a reliever but he’s done well at both spots.

It’ll be interesting what the right hander will show us this spring.  Making the team will be the first big hurdle and it would be nice to see him finally come back from those hip surgeries.

The Orioles are supposedly close to signing Vlad Guerrero to one year deal.  No details on how much money he’d make, but he’d make a nice addition to the lineup that already has Derrek Lee in the mix so this would be another nice, low risk (one year only) signing.

Vlad had a huge comeback season with the Rangers last year and he belted 29 home runs and drove in 115.  He’ll primarily be the designated hitter so the Orioles lose some flexibility but if he hits anywhere close to like he did last year, this will be a nice signing.  I really like what the Orioles are doing.  They have some nice low risk, short term signings that should help them improve in 2011 and hopefully we’ll be able to bring in a top notch free agent that we lost out on next year.

Having two options at closer is a good thing and the Orioles have just that problem because they finished up a two year, $10 million deal with Blue Jays closer Kevin Gregg today.  Gregg is one of those weird closers who are good enough to get those last three outs in the ninth, but always manage to get beat up once in a while, hence his career 4.03 ERA.  He’s never had a dominating season but he strikes out close to a batter an inning and he’s had at least 23 saves in the past four seasons (with three different teams).

Gregg will compete with Koji Uehera for the closer spot with the other probably setting up.  I like the situation because we’ll have a nice 1-2 punch in the eighth and ninth innings.

The Orioles didn’t land any of the big name free agents they were after but I like the moves they’ve made during this offseason.  The latest is they signed Derrek Lee to a one year deal (pending a physical). Lee was looking for $8-$10 million so that’s what we have to work with so far.  The oft injured Lee had a huge resurgence in 2009 but saw his numbers drop in 2010.  Still, 19 home runs and 80 RBIs is nothing to scoff at considering he had the bad thumb.

When you combine Lee with Mark Reynolds and Luke Scott, the Orioles have a formidable middle of the order.  I don’t think 2011 is going to be the Orioles break out season, but they’re definitely putting some pieces in place that should allow them to improve this year.  I really like our chances a few years out assuming the team stays the course.

Orioles beat reporter Brittany Ghiroli recently took a stab at answering readers questions earlier this week.  At the top of the list was how Buck Showalter might be able to influence a big name free agent (or two) to come to the Orioles.  Most stayed away and perennial losers like the Washington Nationals were able to steer talent once they opened up their pocketbook.  I like the miracle worker answer.  The Orioles are going to be good in a few years if they give this group a chance, you’d think some players would be able to recognize that.

She also thinks Kevin Millwood isn’t in the Orioles plans even though they’re looking for another starting pitcher.  It looks like the Orioles might be just as likely to trade for a pitcher though then take a chance on some of the mid-tier talent that’s left out there.  She also dismisses Zach Britton pitching with the Orioles at least in early 2011.

The Baltimore Orioles helped Baseball America kick off the prospect list season yesterday with their list of top ten Orioles prospects.  The Orioles have been bad for a while, but their second half has me encouraged.  There’s a lot of young talent and a Rays-like move in the next year or two isn’t out of the question if front office does a good job of filling in some of the blanks.

Coming in at number is the Orioles top pick in 2010, shortstop Manny Machado.  He’s only 18 so he has a ways to go but he had a good showing at Abderdeen in 29 at bats.  Zach Britton comes in at number two and he’s ready for the bigs.  Xavier Avery is third and he’s knocking on the door too.  About half of the guys on the list have played at Double-A or higher last season so the Orioles could be poised for a breakthrough.

Team Needs:

Top Priorities:

1- Starting Pitching-After RHY Jeremy Guthrie(10-12,3.63), who has posted 2 sub 4 eras in the past two seasons, the team is filled with questions in the rotation. Daniel Cabrera(8-10,5.25) had a bad 2nd half and after 5 seasons, the Os look to be heading in another direction. Youngsters LH Brian Burress(7-10,6.65), RH Radhames Liz(6-6,6.72) and LH Garrett Olson(9-10,6.65) took lumps in the rotation last year. The club should sign 1 top 3 starter and a cheaper, 4-5 type option.

2- Shortstop-Baltimore trotted out 5 players at this spot in 2008 with all getting at least 30 games. Stat totals? 3 home runs, 49 rbi and .227 batting average. That must change, obviously!!! While they do not need Cal Ripken Jr. they do need at least .250 and solid D. The good news? The SS market has several good trade options and their are some low cost free agents that fit the bill as well.

3- First Base-Team has lost a valuable leader in 1b-DH Kevin Millar to free agency. His power stats were not great(20 homers,72 rbi) but he was a locker room pressence and took a walk. The team would love to add a power free agent bat here.

Other issues:

1-The Bullpen- LH George Sherrill(32 saves,3-5) saved the relief corps last season and rookie Jim Johnson was outstanding.(2-4,2.23,58 ks) The return of ex-closer Chris Ray and top set-up man Danys Baez from Tommy John surgery puts this unit in flux, A signing or two might be needed to offset the health concerns.

2- Contracts- Team is in talks regarding extensions with both RF Nick Markakis(club controlled) and 2b Brian Roberts . Roberts, DH Aubrey Huff, 3b Melvin Mora and C Ramon Hernandez contracts all expire after the 2009 season, so keep that in mind. Could the Os move these vets or will they let them walk in the offseason for draft pick compensation?

Free Agent Targets-

1- 1b Mark Teixeira- Will have some big market teams as competition(Angels,Red Sox, possibly Yankees) but he is from the Baltimore area and he is a tremendous all around talent. Store this away, the Orioles NL market rival -The Washington Nationals- are heavily involved in this sweepstakes.

2- SP AJ Burnett_ The 18 game winner will have half of baseball after him but he is the top 3 starter type the Os desperately crave. Dodgers FA Derek Lowe is also another option.

3- SS Orlando Cabrera-The White Sox FA is a perfect fit for Baltimore. He is a high character guy, a solid bat and as well as a great glove. He could also bat lead off and allow the Orioles to expand and extend their lineup, moving top of the order bats Roberts and CF Adam Jones down in the order.

Free agency starts today-Nov 14- Updates to follow….

AL MVP-

Dustin Pedroia-Had a huge year with several Boston stars injured or quitting(yes, u Manny!!!)… excellent defensive player and a complete pain in the butt to pitch 2… surprising power numbers for his small stature

AL CY YOUNG-

Francisco Rodriquez- Record setting season and in a contract year…. pitched a ton for a closer…..can be effective for another 5-6 years with his breaking pitches and change-up(see Trevor Hoffman)

AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR-

Joe Maddon- Changed a losing culture in a non-baseball city…Did a masterful job with a young rotation and a mix and match relief corps…Also emphasizes defense and speed, a rare tool in the AL

AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR-

Evan Longoria-

Tremendous power and glove at 3b… Team leader and energy guy…. One of the few in pro sports who has lived up to the hype

2009 TEAM TO WATCH-

Kansas City Royals-

Don’t laugh, have good pitching(sick closer in Joakim Soria) and good young talent, remind anyone of a team in Florida?… Added a strong bat at 1b with the Mike Jacobs trade…. Did u know this team finished 4th, ahead of th Detroit Tigers?

Please check out my report at www.piratesjournal.com….

The Orioles might have had a tough season in the minors from a record prospective, but they still have some blue chips minor league players.  Matt Wieters lived up the hype and he was the top hitter in the system.  Just looking at .355/.454/.600 makes you salivate to see him behind the plate.  David Hernandez was the the top pitcher and he struck out 166 batters this season, which was good for the second most in the minors.

Brian Matusz was the clubs top draft pick and while they supposedly got a keeper, he signed too late to pitch in the minors.  Xavier Avery, the second round pick, put together a solid season for the Gulf Coast League.

The weather is starting to turn so I’ve been trying to get the boys out for some last few cuts out on the field.  I bought my oldest a new baseball bat for his birthday and my middle kid is the proud new owner of some catchers gear.  I picked it all up at Baseball Rampage, which had by far the best selection of any site I could find out on the web.

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays-

Series Keys-

1- Boston Health- I picked against Boston in the 1st rd mainly over health concerns. Mike Lowell is out, Josh Beckett looks about 50% and JD Drew looks about 75%. Is that enough to defeat the best team in the AL East? 

2- Set-up vs Closer- Tampa has a great 7-8th inning tandem in RH Grant Balfour(6-2,1.54,14 holds,4 saves,82 Ks in 58 1/3 innings) and LH J.P. Howell(6-1,2.22,14 holds,3 saves, 92 Ks in 89 1/3 innings) and a back up closer in RH Dan Wheeler(5-6,13 saves,26 holds,5 blown saves)  with veteran Troy Percival injured off and on all season. Red Sox set up unit of RH Manny Delcarmen(1-2,3.27,18 holds),Justin Masterson(6-5,3.16) and LH Hideki Okajima(3-2,2.61,23 holds) is good but not on that level. However, they feature an elite closer in RH Jonathan Papelbon(5-4,2.34,41 saves with 5 blown). What wins out? 

3- Team D- Both clubs have excellent fielding units, particularily Tampa with 1b Carlos Pena and SS Jason Bartlett among the elite in the game. Boston’s OF D is among the best since the late 7os units of Yaz, Lynn and Evans. C Jason Varitek could make you an effective ML pitcher. 

4- Hate- These teams do not like each other! Incidents going back 7-8 years culminated with the ugly June bench clearing brawl featuring Boston’s Coco Crisp and Rays LH James Shields. 

5-  Vets vs Kids- 7 of the 9 starters on Boston are returning from the World Championship 2007 club. Only SS Jed Lowrie and LF Jason Bay are new. Rays bench players Eric Hinske and Cliff Floyd have won but this Tampa club is new to this level of competition.

Wild card Players-

Boston has 2- Knuckleballing veteran Tim Wakefield owned the Rays till this season(0-2,5.87 in 3 starts and 15 1/3 innings) and either Mark Kotsay or Sean Casey must play at 1b with Lowell out. Those are big shoes to fill. Tampa’s hidden gem is the best player on their team- LF Carl Crawford(who missed 50+ games).

The Pick-

Los Angeles was the best team in the majors all season and Boston beat them. Tampa is a nice story but they will lose in 6.

Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels-

Boston Red Sox

Strengths-Balanced team, good all around with a good mix of youth and veterans…. Best right side of the infield in the AL in 2b Dustin Pedroia and 1b Kevin Youkilis…Great manager for this club in Tito Francona… Premier top 3 of the rotation as well as excellent 8th and 9th combo in Hideki Okajima and closer Jonathan Papelbon…. very good defense.. team works counts and draws walks… underrated bench and team speed

Weaknesses- Health issues with 4 starts in sp Josh Beckett, RF JD Drew and 3b Mike Lowell as well as the season long wrist issues with DH David Ortiz…. not very strong in the 6th and 7th innings of the pen…. tough year for C and Captain Jason Varitek

Los Angeles Angels-

Strengths- Balanced team, ala the Red Sox…. 4 good SPs and an excellent pen led by single season saves leader Francisco Rodriquez.. Good lineup with a mix of power and speed… Excellent manager in Mike Scioscia… Handled the Sox this season going 8-1 and outscoring Boston 42-17 in their last 6 games.. Great defensive CF in Torii Hunter

Weaknesses- Older OF that has had health issues with Vlad Guerrero and Gary Matthews missing time… Have not had success vs the Red Sox in postseason

Store this away… Papelbon has had 11 scoreless appearances vs the Angels and their current team is 1 for 35 vs him

Pick

Los Angeles– Best team in AL all season and an injured,beaten up Boston club will lose in 5

Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays

CWS-

Strengths-Excellent team power…veteran team with a World series champion manager in Ozzie Guillen… Good SP and strong pen led by closer Bobby Jenks…. excellent catcher in A.J. Pierzynski

Weaknesses-Pitching is not set with late season run….slow, station to station slow pitch softball type team… not strong at 2b and SS

Tampa Bay Rays-

Strong-Very good starting pitching…. deep set up core in the pen… Good team speed and D… excellent corners in 1b Carlos Pena and 3b Evan Longoria… Manager of the year in Joe Maddon

Weaknesses-Closer spot in question with veteran Troy Percival breaking down.. average team power.. health of star LF Carl Crawford an issue… No success vs LH John Danks(4 runs in 19 1/3 innings over 3 starts)

Store this away-CWS hit 12 homers vs the Rays but TB pitchers also held them to 3 runs or fewer in 5 of 10 games.

Pick-TB- They are rested and set to go. Tough 5 game series win for the Rays.

Game 162 Recap-

CF Vernon Wells went 4 for 4 with 2 home runs and 5 rbi to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 10-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles Sunday at Camden Yards.Promising Jays RH Jesse Litsch(13-9,3.58) was outstanding, going 7 innings while allowing 3 hits and 1 run. He K-ed 5 and walked 1, using 106 pitches in his outing. He closed September with a 4-1 record.

Wells homered in the 2nd(solo) and 5th(3 run shot) while adding an rbi single in the 3rd to cap his big day. The Jays banged out 15 hits with SS Marco Scutaro adding 3.2b Joe Inglett scored 3 runs out of the leadoff spot, while 3b Scott Rolen and C Greg Zaun added 2 hits a apiece.

Baltimore’s 2nd half was about injuries and the team really had a problem at times finding pitchers to throw games. They lost 30 of 35 and all 12 series since August 17th. “The last six weeks were less than what we expect and what we want,” manager Dave Trembley said.The win total of 68 is the fewest since 2002.

RH Jeremy Guthrie(10-12,3.63)  returned from a shoulder injury that kept him out for almost a month.  He went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits. Guthrie said, “I felt pretty good. I was able to locate the fastball much better than I was the past couple of days. The breaking stuff was much better. I gave up a home run on the curveball, but I was pretty happy with the curveballs I threw.” His manager saw a shining light in this performance.”Well, on a positive note, it’s good that Guthrie is healthy. So we can leave and know that,” Trembley said.

Star of the Game-

Wells-Although he wishes his team was still playing, “It’s a good way to finish. Unfortunately, we’re finishing too early,” he said. “You live and you learn, and you try to get better for next year.”

Orioles Notes-

Aubrey Huff was named team MVP pregame…RF Nick Markakis had 3 hits…. Team closed at 5-20 on Sundays

please follow the team at mlb.com or at orioles.com. Back Sunday night….

Please follow the team at mlb.com or at orioles.com. Hopefully back with a column Thursday night.

Please follow today’s doubleheader at mlb.com or orioles.com. Column back Wednesday….