Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 9, 2023 17:02:10 GMT -5
Baltimore Orioles (15-19) @ Toronto Blue Jays (18-16)
BAL: Tim Longo (0-4, 5.35)
TOR: Danny Richardson (4-1, 3.92)
Orioles 3 Key Stats
.233: Baltimore’s batting average: The Orioles hit .284 last year, leading the AL. This year, their .233 average is 12th. It’s a drastic change for what was an elite 2030 offense. There are only two positions of significant turnover compared to last year—a hodgepodge of third outfielders have been replaced with Jarod Dethridge. The 29-year-old rookie is hitting like a 29-year-old rookie with a .178 average, far below what Juan Carrasco, Mario Guzman, David Kouns, and Edward Martinez provided. However, that’s just one position. The other change is replacing Luis Garcia with Luis Paez. Garcia hit just .266 last year though, and Paez isn’t horribly off at .248. Baltimore’s seeing its returning players see dramatic drop offs, which is tough to plan for. Mike Floyd’s .328 average has dropped to .275, Luis Castaneda’s .292 mark has collapsed to .212, and Wessel Russchen’s .325 average has plummeted to .215. It’s possible Baltimore’s veterans are off to bad starts, and a return to form will boost Baltimore—but it’s possible the veterans are starting to go through a decline.
4: Losses for Tim Longo: Baltimore’s seen Peter Solomon get hurt, while Sergio Arellano has been moved to the bullpen. That’s opened up a rotation spot for one of Baltimore’s best prospects, Tim Longo. However, despite some pedigree, Longo has struggled, going 0-4 in his first five starts. He’s struck out only 23 hitters in 35.1 innings, giving up five doubles and three homers to lefties in just 42 plate appearances. Longo’s weird reverse split saw him allow four runs in 5 innings to Toronto two starts ago. He’ll need to find out how to get lefties out to ensure his spot as a starter in Baltimore’s rotation.
8.00: Luis Ortiz’ ERA as a starter: Ortiz only had one career start entering this year, but gave him two starts the last two trips though the rotation. He saved 40 games last year and was off to a good start this year, but hasn’t looked good as a starter. He allowed two runs over 5.2 against Toronto on April 26, but allowed four extra base hits. He may stay in the rotation or be returned to the bullpen for today’s game.
Blue Jays 3 Key Stats
.372: Taylor Walls’ career OBP: Walls declined a player option, electing to become a free agent this past offseason. He didn’t get any bites in free agency though, inking a discount $6 million deal to return to Toronto. Walls’ doubles power has eroded with time, but he can still flick a base hit and will not bite on pitches out of the strike zone. For a Blue Jays team with good power, his ability to get on base will be a nice complement, and his presence in the clubhouse as a champion with experience with a few different Blue Jays iterations will be appreciated.
13: Ernesto Montemayor’s homers: Montemayor had a great rookie year last year with 32 in a surprise year. There were doubts he could continue and replicate his success, but he already has 13 bombs this year. He’s a very aggressive swinger and scouts don’t love his swing, which combined with his approach, should yield a low average. However, he’s batting a healthy .271 after a strong .290 last year. He’ll get a chance to build on that success tonight.
17.47: Dan O’Rourke’s road ERA: O’Rourke had a 1.75 ERA for Texas last year, leading the league with 47 saves. He’s been excellent in Toronto in the early going this year with a 2.02 ERA, two wins, and a save in 11 home outings. He’s allowed multiple runs in four of his five road outings this year though, including giving up four runs in Baltimore April 26. He’s pitching at home today, so he should be much better.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dan Wagner, Jarod Dethridge has a bruised shoulder. Will he spend any time on the IL?
Why did you move Luis Ortiz into the rotation?
Juan Carrasco hit for a.760 OPS last year. Why did you start him in Triple A this year?
For Aaron Dunham, Taylor Walls didn’t have an offseason. How will you integrate him into your lineup?
How has the transition from Jelfry Marte to Xavier Edwards been going?
Art Gomez has been a key part of your team for years. Why did you decide to have him pitch in the minors right now?
TRIVIA: Seven players for Toronto’s 2029 team hit double digit home runs. Two are still with the team, but five have moved on from the Blue Jays. Who were the five Jays hitters who hit double digit homers in 2029 and are no longer with the team?
BAL: Tim Longo (0-4, 5.35)
TOR: Danny Richardson (4-1, 3.92)
Orioles 3 Key Stats
.233: Baltimore’s batting average: The Orioles hit .284 last year, leading the AL. This year, their .233 average is 12th. It’s a drastic change for what was an elite 2030 offense. There are only two positions of significant turnover compared to last year—a hodgepodge of third outfielders have been replaced with Jarod Dethridge. The 29-year-old rookie is hitting like a 29-year-old rookie with a .178 average, far below what Juan Carrasco, Mario Guzman, David Kouns, and Edward Martinez provided. However, that’s just one position. The other change is replacing Luis Garcia with Luis Paez. Garcia hit just .266 last year though, and Paez isn’t horribly off at .248. Baltimore’s seeing its returning players see dramatic drop offs, which is tough to plan for. Mike Floyd’s .328 average has dropped to .275, Luis Castaneda’s .292 mark has collapsed to .212, and Wessel Russchen’s .325 average has plummeted to .215. It’s possible Baltimore’s veterans are off to bad starts, and a return to form will boost Baltimore—but it’s possible the veterans are starting to go through a decline.
4: Losses for Tim Longo: Baltimore’s seen Peter Solomon get hurt, while Sergio Arellano has been moved to the bullpen. That’s opened up a rotation spot for one of Baltimore’s best prospects, Tim Longo. However, despite some pedigree, Longo has struggled, going 0-4 in his first five starts. He’s struck out only 23 hitters in 35.1 innings, giving up five doubles and three homers to lefties in just 42 plate appearances. Longo’s weird reverse split saw him allow four runs in 5 innings to Toronto two starts ago. He’ll need to find out how to get lefties out to ensure his spot as a starter in Baltimore’s rotation.
8.00: Luis Ortiz’ ERA as a starter: Ortiz only had one career start entering this year, but gave him two starts the last two trips though the rotation. He saved 40 games last year and was off to a good start this year, but hasn’t looked good as a starter. He allowed two runs over 5.2 against Toronto on April 26, but allowed four extra base hits. He may stay in the rotation or be returned to the bullpen for today’s game.
Blue Jays 3 Key Stats
.372: Taylor Walls’ career OBP: Walls declined a player option, electing to become a free agent this past offseason. He didn’t get any bites in free agency though, inking a discount $6 million deal to return to Toronto. Walls’ doubles power has eroded with time, but he can still flick a base hit and will not bite on pitches out of the strike zone. For a Blue Jays team with good power, his ability to get on base will be a nice complement, and his presence in the clubhouse as a champion with experience with a few different Blue Jays iterations will be appreciated.
13: Ernesto Montemayor’s homers: Montemayor had a great rookie year last year with 32 in a surprise year. There were doubts he could continue and replicate his success, but he already has 13 bombs this year. He’s a very aggressive swinger and scouts don’t love his swing, which combined with his approach, should yield a low average. However, he’s batting a healthy .271 after a strong .290 last year. He’ll get a chance to build on that success tonight.
17.47: Dan O’Rourke’s road ERA: O’Rourke had a 1.75 ERA for Texas last year, leading the league with 47 saves. He’s been excellent in Toronto in the early going this year with a 2.02 ERA, two wins, and a save in 11 home outings. He’s allowed multiple runs in four of his five road outings this year though, including giving up four runs in Baltimore April 26. He’s pitching at home today, so he should be much better.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dan Wagner, Jarod Dethridge has a bruised shoulder. Will he spend any time on the IL?
Why did you move Luis Ortiz into the rotation?
Juan Carrasco hit for a.760 OPS last year. Why did you start him in Triple A this year?
For Aaron Dunham, Taylor Walls didn’t have an offseason. How will you integrate him into your lineup?
How has the transition from Jelfry Marte to Xavier Edwards been going?
Art Gomez has been a key part of your team for years. Why did you decide to have him pitch in the minors right now?
TRIVIA: Seven players for Toronto’s 2029 team hit double digit home runs. Two are still with the team, but five have moved on from the Blue Jays. Who were the five Jays hitters who hit double digit homers in 2029 and are no longer with the team?
