Official 2012 Baltimore Orioles Thread

[pjfootballer]

There's a difference between, "jumping off the bandwagon" and having a bad feeling about the game. Jumping off the bandwagon means you have given up on a team and are no longer a fan.

Also, it doesn't feel like the playoffs yet to me. If we win tomorrow, then we are in the playoffs.

Agreed, it's basically a "play in" game.

[Hersh]

Great post Hersh. I only disagree with one part...the regular season got the O's here. Even if they lose it was a great season, down to the wire, expected to suck.
Damn good season, and I expect them to win more games this post season.

I only meant the regular season didn't mean anything in the context of it's one game and what happened in the past is the past. Going 2-5 against the Rangers during the regular season doesn't mean anything in this one game. Completely agree that no matter what, it's been a GREAT season.

[balki1867]

Agreed, it's basically a "play in" game.

According to a guy I work with, MLB is treating the WC game as its own play-off series, so teams can basically set a playoff roster just for this one game (i.e.: We can have 9 relief pitchers on the roster go 1 inning apiece and then re-set everything for the ALDS). That definitely adds a new wrinkle to this.

[Hersh]

According to a guy I work with, MLB is treating the WC game as its own play-off series, so teams can basically set a playoff roster just for this one game (i.e.: We can have 9 relief pitchers on the roster go 1 inning apiece and then re-set everything for the ALDS). That definitely adds a new wrinkle to this.

That's cool to know. Tillman and Gonzo would be left off. In the bullpen: JJ, Matusz, Patton, Hunter, Strop, Ayala, O'Day, not sure who else.

I did notice checking the schedule for tomorrow that the O's still haven't announced a starter. Maybe it's not Saunders?

---------- Post added October-4th-2012 at 07:29 PM ----------

Honestly, I'm starting to think he deserves it more. The AL West is definitely a tougher division than the East, and they won it all. We have an X-factor in that baseball has already seen what Oakland is capable of with Billy Beane pulling the strings. They have an X-factor in that, even though we don't like to admit it, we aren't exactly a team full of nobody's. Matt Wieters and Adams Jones didn't exactly come out of nowhere-- they were pretty highly regarded prospects who've both been in the bigs for a little while now.

The playoffs might change things, (and honestly both guys deserve it), but if you forced me to choose right now, I'd have to go with Melvin.

Why is the West definitely tougher than the East? The top four teams in the East had the exact same amount of wins as the four teams in the West. Oakland had a rotation that was solid all year long. Buck had to shuffle guys in and out all season. Personally, I don't see how either can win it over the other. They both did phenomenal jobs.

[DM72]

Why is the West definitely tougher than the East? The top four teams in the East had the exact same amount of wins as the four teams in the West. Oakland had a rotation that was solid all year long. Buck had to shuffle guys in and out all season. Personally, I don't see how either can win it over the other. They both did phenomenal jobs.

The Jays and especially the Red Sox made the AL East the weaker division. Next year the AL East will probably be the tougher division because they'll have the Astros and we'll have a better Red Sox team to contend with.

[Fight4RGIII]

Saunders to Start

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Well, experience over youth doesn't surprise me. I'm sure if he gets in trouble we'll be all hands on deck.

I'm starting to get butterflies for this game. We're in the post-season!! I'm going to drink in every minute of it.

[DjTj]

I agree. a one game play-in doesn't really qualify as "playoffs" to me. MLB screwed the pooch with this system IMO

Well, under last year's playoff system, we would be doing the exact same thing. Since the Orioles and Rangers have the same record, they would be playing a one-game playoff for the wild card.

[BigMike21]

Fellow Northern Va Skins/Orioles fans.....what is the best place to watch the game tomorrow night in the Arlington/Alexandria/Springfield area you think?

[balki1867]

Why is the West definitely tougher than the East? The top four teams in the East had the exact same amount of wins as the four teams in the West. Oakland had a rotation that was solid all year long. Buck had to shuffle guys in and out all season. Personally, I don't see how either can win it over the other. They both did phenomenal jobs.

I agree with you: In any other season both of them more than deserve the award. I'm just saying that in my book, winning a division that averages 88 wins is better than finishing 2nd in one that averages 84 wins. They are both well above average in terms of the quality of division rivals, but if you forced me to choose, I'd go with Melvin. If we make a deep run in the playoffs, I'll change my mind but I'm just talking about where I stand at this moment.

[mokeface]

Saunders over Steve Johnson is the dumbest thing i've heard in my life. Hell might as well put jake arrieta or tommy hunter in there!

[Fight4RGIII]

Darvish's last 7 starts

[DM72]

Everyone's talking about Saunders. I understand he's 0-6 against the Rangers in Texas. Does anyone believes he's gonna be out there long enough to get shelled? He will have a very short leash.

Besides that, someone besides Davis need to start hitting. And I'm not talking about an innocent single here and there.

[Fight4RGIII]

Saunders went 7 IP 7 H 1 ER in his last start in Arlington in 2010.

[elkabong82]

Saunders over Steve Johnson is the dumbest thing i've heard in my life. Hell might as well put jake arrieta or tommy hunter in there!

You're saying that about a guy who managed the Orioles into the playoffs. You think you could have done the same? Hasn't Showalter earned the benefit of the doubt by now?

Playoffs are a different animal than regular season, and this is a 1 game playoff on the road, so the pressure is enormous. You think starting a guy who just made his debut in MLB back in July is the smarter move? Saunders has playoff experience. Plus, this is treated as a 1 game series, so he may not even pitch past the first 3 innings.