Post by Commissioner Erick on Jan 2, 2023 12:17:15 GMT -5
Baltimore Orioles (82-48) @ Toronto Blue Jays (67-63)
BAL: Sam Carlson (9-4, 4.54)
TOR: Marc Eberle (6-11, 3.72)
Orioles 3 Key Stats:
30.78: Baltimore’s Zone Rating: Long a poor defensive team, Ben Nuzzo has transformed Baltimore’s defense overnight. Instead of a team that would hemorrhage hits, the Orioles find themselves with the second best Zone Rating in the AL. The impressive thing is that the offense wasn’t sacrificed as the Orioles have also scored the second most runs in the AL. Luis Paez’ move to Third Base has really given Baltimore a defensive upgrade in he infield and Wessel Russchen’s good health has driven the offense. The Orioles still have a chance to win the AL East as a result.
3.26: Baltimore’s August ERA: The Orioles finished the month tied for the second lowest ERA in the AL. Four relievers, Luis Ortiz, Zhi-peng Thum, Gregg Scott, and Rafael Alonzo had ERAs under 2. Tonight’s starter, Sam Carlson, went 2-0 with a 3.67 ERA in the month with 41 strikeouts in 34.1 innings. He faced a relatively easy schedule though with the Rays twice, the Marlins, and the Angels as his opponents. He’s pitched okay in two home starts against Toronto this year, but this will be his first outing in The Rogers Centre.
43.5: Wessel Russchen’s Career WAR: Just 26, Russchen is already 24th all time in WAR and rocketing up the leaderboards. His .351 batting average this year will be fourth all time if it maintains, and he’s producing those numbers with 34 homers and 32 doubles. He leads the AL in all triple slash categories, is second in runs and RBIs, and is fifth in Stolen Bases for good measure. The superstar is also playing spectacular defense in Center Field giving him 8 WAR for the year and putting him on pace for an even 10. Only two other times has that marked been eclipsed in the AL—once by Russchen himself, and once by Gabe Bonilla who was acquired in a trade for Russchen. What a spectacular player.
Blue Jays 3 Key Stats:
19: August Stolen Bases: After being at the bottom of the league in steals earlier in the year, Toronto has started running in the second half. Their steal total in August was third in the AL, and nearly 40% of the 50 steals Toronto has on the year came last month. It helped the team’s productivity as Toronto was second in runs for the month, despite being ninth in runs for the year.
19: Homers for Pal Khan: More of a fringe player last year, Toronto has needed more from Khan this season and he’s delivered. Khan has bucked the stereotype of a speedy Center Fielder, as Khan is patient, not great at making contact, but a hard-hitter when he does make contact. After hitting just 12 homers in 166 games coming into 2029, Khan has 19 already. He’s walked 69 times elevating an underwhelming .231 average to a healthy .363 on-base percentage, and the slugging gives him a near .800 OPS. With some value on the bases, for his defense, and for being a Center Fielder, that comes out to a strong 3.1 WAR.
19: Triples for Toronto: The Blue Jays have only hit more triples than one team this year, tied with the Astros and Angels for the second worst mark. With the exception of 2023 when they led the league in triples, Toronto has been in the middle of the pact every year since emerging from their rebuild in 2022. The stat combined with the steals number solidifies how Toronto has lost a little bit of value from their speed this past season with some veterans getting older and past speedsters Jahmai Jones and Eric Drouet elsewhere.
Questions for the GMs:
For Ben Nuzzo, with rosters expanding, who will you call up for today’s game and why?
What’s been the main thing you’ve done to make sure your defense has been one of the best in the league?
Toronto’s been a lot more active on the bases of late. Will you try to keep them close more than usual today?
For Aaron Dunham, Ryan Youngblood will presumably need to go on the IL, and roster expansion has opened up another couple of spots. How will you fill the three open spots for today’s game?
You’ve turned to a lot of rookies and sophomores this year, with guys like Cortez Castaneda, Pal Khan, and Hector Jimenez part of your lineup. Are you happy with the young crop or do you feel you still have holes they haven’t been able to fill?
You have a few players who may need a day off. Will we see a mostly bench crew for today’s game?
TRIVIA: Who are the only two PBA players to have individual seasons with 40 doubles, 40 home runs, and 20 stolen bases.
BAL: Sam Carlson (9-4, 4.54)
TOR: Marc Eberle (6-11, 3.72)
Orioles 3 Key Stats:
30.78: Baltimore’s Zone Rating: Long a poor defensive team, Ben Nuzzo has transformed Baltimore’s defense overnight. Instead of a team that would hemorrhage hits, the Orioles find themselves with the second best Zone Rating in the AL. The impressive thing is that the offense wasn’t sacrificed as the Orioles have also scored the second most runs in the AL. Luis Paez’ move to Third Base has really given Baltimore a defensive upgrade in he infield and Wessel Russchen’s good health has driven the offense. The Orioles still have a chance to win the AL East as a result.
3.26: Baltimore’s August ERA: The Orioles finished the month tied for the second lowest ERA in the AL. Four relievers, Luis Ortiz, Zhi-peng Thum, Gregg Scott, and Rafael Alonzo had ERAs under 2. Tonight’s starter, Sam Carlson, went 2-0 with a 3.67 ERA in the month with 41 strikeouts in 34.1 innings. He faced a relatively easy schedule though with the Rays twice, the Marlins, and the Angels as his opponents. He’s pitched okay in two home starts against Toronto this year, but this will be his first outing in The Rogers Centre.
43.5: Wessel Russchen’s Career WAR: Just 26, Russchen is already 24th all time in WAR and rocketing up the leaderboards. His .351 batting average this year will be fourth all time if it maintains, and he’s producing those numbers with 34 homers and 32 doubles. He leads the AL in all triple slash categories, is second in runs and RBIs, and is fifth in Stolen Bases for good measure. The superstar is also playing spectacular defense in Center Field giving him 8 WAR for the year and putting him on pace for an even 10. Only two other times has that marked been eclipsed in the AL—once by Russchen himself, and once by Gabe Bonilla who was acquired in a trade for Russchen. What a spectacular player.
Blue Jays 3 Key Stats:
19: August Stolen Bases: After being at the bottom of the league in steals earlier in the year, Toronto has started running in the second half. Their steal total in August was third in the AL, and nearly 40% of the 50 steals Toronto has on the year came last month. It helped the team’s productivity as Toronto was second in runs for the month, despite being ninth in runs for the year.
19: Homers for Pal Khan: More of a fringe player last year, Toronto has needed more from Khan this season and he’s delivered. Khan has bucked the stereotype of a speedy Center Fielder, as Khan is patient, not great at making contact, but a hard-hitter when he does make contact. After hitting just 12 homers in 166 games coming into 2029, Khan has 19 already. He’s walked 69 times elevating an underwhelming .231 average to a healthy .363 on-base percentage, and the slugging gives him a near .800 OPS. With some value on the bases, for his defense, and for being a Center Fielder, that comes out to a strong 3.1 WAR.
19: Triples for Toronto: The Blue Jays have only hit more triples than one team this year, tied with the Astros and Angels for the second worst mark. With the exception of 2023 when they led the league in triples, Toronto has been in the middle of the pact every year since emerging from their rebuild in 2022. The stat combined with the steals number solidifies how Toronto has lost a little bit of value from their speed this past season with some veterans getting older and past speedsters Jahmai Jones and Eric Drouet elsewhere.
Questions for the GMs:
For Ben Nuzzo, with rosters expanding, who will you call up for today’s game and why?
What’s been the main thing you’ve done to make sure your defense has been one of the best in the league?
Toronto’s been a lot more active on the bases of late. Will you try to keep them close more than usual today?
For Aaron Dunham, Ryan Youngblood will presumably need to go on the IL, and roster expansion has opened up another couple of spots. How will you fill the three open spots for today’s game?
You’ve turned to a lot of rookies and sophomores this year, with guys like Cortez Castaneda, Pal Khan, and Hector Jimenez part of your lineup. Are you happy with the young crop or do you feel you still have holes they haven’t been able to fill?
You have a few players who may need a day off. Will we see a mostly bench crew for today’s game?
TRIVIA: Who are the only two PBA players to have individual seasons with 40 doubles, 40 home runs, and 20 stolen bases.
