Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 18, 2021 0:03:53 GMT -5
Baltimore Orioles (43-28) @ Cleveland Indians (37-35)
BAL: Jake Eischeid (2-0, 3.27)
CLE: Gabriel Ynoa (4-4, 3.59)
The Baltimore Orioles have never made the postseason in PBA history. Aside from an 84-win season in 2018, they’ve never even had a winning record. They’re coming off a year that saw the worst defense in league history and continue to make puzzling moves like benching Adam Hasely, Salesman Ancrum, and Madman Mike Floyd for a week.
They also the club with the second-best record in the American League.
The Baltimore Orioles will take on the plucky Cleveland Indians in the Game of the Week.
Baltimore has patiently built up a powerful team with assets collected from darker times. Sensing the team was on the upswing, Vic Black made a few moves in-season last year to help bring the team along. It wasn’t enough to make a difference last season, mainly due to pitching and defense, but the club has exploded this year. Building off 2024 where they were second in runs, Baltimore leads the AL in runs by a mile. They have 412 runs already, 11% more than second place Seattle. They’re first in virtually every batting category, and have an offense filled with superstars.
Salesman Jadon Ancrum is selling voters on an MVP award for the Orioles this year. The former fourth overall pick, who was traded by the Kansas City Royals twice, has had a monster campaign. He has a .357 average, 21 home runs, 26 doubles, 65 RBIs, and 4.0 WAR. The Average, and the Doubles lead the league. If not for Francisco DeJesus’ work, the WAR, the 1.118 OPS, the 63 runs, even the 4.73 WPA would lead the league. Salesman is also second in Hits, with Rattlesnake Drouet’s 99 hits four more than Baltimore’s star.
Salesman may not even be the scariest hitter on his own team. Emmanuel Tapia has been a walking nightmare for hitters. The former Indian is hitting .333 with 24 Home Runs and 61 RBIs. He’s on pace for a 55 Home Run campaign that would be even more than the 50 he blasted last year.
In a running theme, Joe DeCarlo is also second to Francisco DeJesus in a category, as he has 29 Home Runs, putting him on pace for a 66-blast campaign that would eclipse last year’s 60. If he keeps it up, he’ll be the PBA’s single-season Home Run champ.
That trio alone is a brutal trip for a pitcher through an order. The lineup is rounded out with talent though. Oft-injured Luis Robert has been healthy and he’s having a year similar to last year where he hit .333 with 33 home runs for Minnesota. He’s batting .327 with 14 bombs thus far. Madman Mike Floyd doesn’t have the power he showed last year, but he’s still batting .312 with 19 doubles and 12 home runs. Former Gold Glover Jacob Allred has a .388 on-base percentage and nine stolen bases. Players like Logan Warmoth and Jake Bauers are reduced to bit pieces on the club, but they have four Platinum Sticks between them.
They’ll be a tough challenge for a Cleveland team that’s been up for any challenge this year. The Indians have the worst offense in the league, but a winning 37-35 record. Chris Stephan has the club competitive and pointed in the right direction, relying on the second best defensive team in the league in terms of zone rating. Javier Baez, Kevin Maitan, and Marcos A. Gonzalez have been a stellar infield, with former Second Base Gold Glove Winner Matt Duffy now flashing leather at First Base. That defense has led to Cleveland being fourth in run prevention thus far.
Gabriel Ynoa will get the start on the mound for Cleveland. He’s been solid thus far with a 3.59 ERA and a 4-4 record. He doesn’t strike people out—only 64 in 100.1 innings, but he also has just 12 home runs allowed, only 24 walks allowed, and his 100.1 innings is second in the league. He’s been steady and solid and will be interesting to see how he holds up against an explosive Orioles offense.
Questions for the GMs:
For Vic Black, you benched Jadon Ancrum and Mike Floyd last week. Why?
Jake Bauers has performed well this year despite being on the trade block. Are you still looking to move him?
You have the 13th ranked bullpen in the league. Do you plan on addressing it before the trade deadline?
For Chris Stephan, your team has really overachieved. How do you feel Miguel Bernard has done as Bench Coach?
Have any players entered the season on the fringe for you but showed they could be part of the future for your club?
How do you hope to slow down Baltimore’s offense today?
TRIVIA: Manny Machado has the most Doubles for Baltimore all-time. Who is second?
BAL: Jake Eischeid (2-0, 3.27)
CLE: Gabriel Ynoa (4-4, 3.59)
The Baltimore Orioles have never made the postseason in PBA history. Aside from an 84-win season in 2018, they’ve never even had a winning record. They’re coming off a year that saw the worst defense in league history and continue to make puzzling moves like benching Adam Hasely, Salesman Ancrum, and Madman Mike Floyd for a week.
They also the club with the second-best record in the American League.
The Baltimore Orioles will take on the plucky Cleveland Indians in the Game of the Week.
Baltimore has patiently built up a powerful team with assets collected from darker times. Sensing the team was on the upswing, Vic Black made a few moves in-season last year to help bring the team along. It wasn’t enough to make a difference last season, mainly due to pitching and defense, but the club has exploded this year. Building off 2024 where they were second in runs, Baltimore leads the AL in runs by a mile. They have 412 runs already, 11% more than second place Seattle. They’re first in virtually every batting category, and have an offense filled with superstars.
Salesman Jadon Ancrum is selling voters on an MVP award for the Orioles this year. The former fourth overall pick, who was traded by the Kansas City Royals twice, has had a monster campaign. He has a .357 average, 21 home runs, 26 doubles, 65 RBIs, and 4.0 WAR. The Average, and the Doubles lead the league. If not for Francisco DeJesus’ work, the WAR, the 1.118 OPS, the 63 runs, even the 4.73 WPA would lead the league. Salesman is also second in Hits, with Rattlesnake Drouet’s 99 hits four more than Baltimore’s star.
Salesman may not even be the scariest hitter on his own team. Emmanuel Tapia has been a walking nightmare for hitters. The former Indian is hitting .333 with 24 Home Runs and 61 RBIs. He’s on pace for a 55 Home Run campaign that would be even more than the 50 he blasted last year.
In a running theme, Joe DeCarlo is also second to Francisco DeJesus in a category, as he has 29 Home Runs, putting him on pace for a 66-blast campaign that would eclipse last year’s 60. If he keeps it up, he’ll be the PBA’s single-season Home Run champ.
That trio alone is a brutal trip for a pitcher through an order. The lineup is rounded out with talent though. Oft-injured Luis Robert has been healthy and he’s having a year similar to last year where he hit .333 with 33 home runs for Minnesota. He’s batting .327 with 14 bombs thus far. Madman Mike Floyd doesn’t have the power he showed last year, but he’s still batting .312 with 19 doubles and 12 home runs. Former Gold Glover Jacob Allred has a .388 on-base percentage and nine stolen bases. Players like Logan Warmoth and Jake Bauers are reduced to bit pieces on the club, but they have four Platinum Sticks between them.
They’ll be a tough challenge for a Cleveland team that’s been up for any challenge this year. The Indians have the worst offense in the league, but a winning 37-35 record. Chris Stephan has the club competitive and pointed in the right direction, relying on the second best defensive team in the league in terms of zone rating. Javier Baez, Kevin Maitan, and Marcos A. Gonzalez have been a stellar infield, with former Second Base Gold Glove Winner Matt Duffy now flashing leather at First Base. That defense has led to Cleveland being fourth in run prevention thus far.
Gabriel Ynoa will get the start on the mound for Cleveland. He’s been solid thus far with a 3.59 ERA and a 4-4 record. He doesn’t strike people out—only 64 in 100.1 innings, but he also has just 12 home runs allowed, only 24 walks allowed, and his 100.1 innings is second in the league. He’s been steady and solid and will be interesting to see how he holds up against an explosive Orioles offense.
Questions for the GMs:
For Vic Black, you benched Jadon Ancrum and Mike Floyd last week. Why?
Jake Bauers has performed well this year despite being on the trade block. Are you still looking to move him?
You have the 13th ranked bullpen in the league. Do you plan on addressing it before the trade deadline?
For Chris Stephan, your team has really overachieved. How do you feel Miguel Bernard has done as Bench Coach?
Have any players entered the season on the fringe for you but showed they could be part of the future for your club?
How do you hope to slow down Baltimore’s offense today?
TRIVIA: Manny Machado has the most Doubles for Baltimore all-time. Who is second?
