Post by Commissioner Erick on Mar 25, 2021 19:36:21 GMT -5
Baltimore Orioles (87-49) @ Cincinnati Reds (66-71)
BAL: Darwinzon Hernandez (9-4, 3.62)
CIN: Nestor Oronel (5-3, 3.09)
The Baltimore Orioles had their winningest month in August, going 19-8 to open up a 9.5 game lead on the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East title.
While their offense has gotten most of the credit, they’ll look to get their fourth starter with double digit wins when Darwinzon Hernandez and the Orioles face the Cincinnati Reds in an interleague Game of the Week.
Baltimore leads the league in virtually every offensive category, but they’re also fourth in starting pitcher ERA. Three starters already have double-digit wins, and their ace, Hernandez, will try to make it four today. Darwinzon continues to be a top-tier pitcher, but there’s a little bit more pitch-to-contact in his game than there was the last two years.
Hernandez led the league in whiffs in 2023 with 254, but is only on pace for 208 this year. His innings are also down as there hasn’t been a need for Baltimore to push the veteran. The Orioles can’t argue with the end result. While Hernandez only has three double-figure strikeout games this year compared to the eight he tallied in 2023, he’s still fifth in the AL in WHIP, as he strikes out plenty, doesn’t walk anyone, and the pitches hitters make contact on tend to result in lazy fly balls.
While he doesn’t need much run support, the Orioles tend to provide plenty. Wessell Russchen in particular has taken to Baltimore with 15 home runs in his first 36 games as an Oriole, providing a staggering amount of firepower to a team lacking for none. Baltimore may end the year with three 50 home run hitters, and they already have the ninth most home runs in a year in the AL despite still having an entire month to play.
They’ll take on a Reds team that despite a flood of injuries, is only three wins away from exceeding their 2024 total. Defense has been the team’s calling card, as Wander Samuel Franco may win his first Gold Glove, while Vinny Escudero has been great with the glove at First Base. As a result of those standouts, the Reds are third in NL Zone Rating. The Reds have gotten power out of Escudero, as well as veteran J.B. Woodman and departed Catcher Evan Skoug. The trade of Skoug sapped Cincinnati’s offense as the Reds lost their best player, but they team has been solid in the second half. The only series the Reds have lost in the second half are to teams on pace for 89 wins or more. Their record in the second half is 20-21, perfectly respectable considering where they were last year and who they traded at the deadline.
Nestor Oronel will start today, and he’s definitely benefited for Cincinnati’s defense. The left-hander has a 3.09 ERA fueled by a .217 BABIP. Oronel doesn’t strike out too many hitters, but this is his second straight year with a strong BABIP to compensate. He’s a bit homer prone, which is less than ideal against the Orioles, but if he keeps the ball in the park, the Reds may have a chance to keep runs off the board.
Questions for the GMs:
For Vic Black, how has your club looked after your trade deadline acquisitions?
Last year, your team was a defensive disaster. This year, your Zone Rating is -5.4, where last year it was -72.5. How much did you invest in improving your defense this year?
When you signed Mychal Givens in the offseason, did you expect he would be a part of your bullpen instead of part of your Norfolk Tides’ bullpen?
For Mike Neugebauer, rookie Harland Guenette has spent a chunk of the year in the majors. How has he looked to you during his rookie year?
Doug Syverson has had a sensational year for you in relief. What’s his future with your club?
Which player are you paying the most attention to down the stretch?
TRIVIA: Who is the last Cincinnati Red to win a Gold Glove?
BAL: Darwinzon Hernandez (9-4, 3.62)
CIN: Nestor Oronel (5-3, 3.09)
The Baltimore Orioles had their winningest month in August, going 19-8 to open up a 9.5 game lead on the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East title.
While their offense has gotten most of the credit, they’ll look to get their fourth starter with double digit wins when Darwinzon Hernandez and the Orioles face the Cincinnati Reds in an interleague Game of the Week.
Baltimore leads the league in virtually every offensive category, but they’re also fourth in starting pitcher ERA. Three starters already have double-digit wins, and their ace, Hernandez, will try to make it four today. Darwinzon continues to be a top-tier pitcher, but there’s a little bit more pitch-to-contact in his game than there was the last two years.
Hernandez led the league in whiffs in 2023 with 254, but is only on pace for 208 this year. His innings are also down as there hasn’t been a need for Baltimore to push the veteran. The Orioles can’t argue with the end result. While Hernandez only has three double-figure strikeout games this year compared to the eight he tallied in 2023, he’s still fifth in the AL in WHIP, as he strikes out plenty, doesn’t walk anyone, and the pitches hitters make contact on tend to result in lazy fly balls.
While he doesn’t need much run support, the Orioles tend to provide plenty. Wessell Russchen in particular has taken to Baltimore with 15 home runs in his first 36 games as an Oriole, providing a staggering amount of firepower to a team lacking for none. Baltimore may end the year with three 50 home run hitters, and they already have the ninth most home runs in a year in the AL despite still having an entire month to play.
They’ll take on a Reds team that despite a flood of injuries, is only three wins away from exceeding their 2024 total. Defense has been the team’s calling card, as Wander Samuel Franco may win his first Gold Glove, while Vinny Escudero has been great with the glove at First Base. As a result of those standouts, the Reds are third in NL Zone Rating. The Reds have gotten power out of Escudero, as well as veteran J.B. Woodman and departed Catcher Evan Skoug. The trade of Skoug sapped Cincinnati’s offense as the Reds lost their best player, but they team has been solid in the second half. The only series the Reds have lost in the second half are to teams on pace for 89 wins or more. Their record in the second half is 20-21, perfectly respectable considering where they were last year and who they traded at the deadline.
Nestor Oronel will start today, and he’s definitely benefited for Cincinnati’s defense. The left-hander has a 3.09 ERA fueled by a .217 BABIP. Oronel doesn’t strike out too many hitters, but this is his second straight year with a strong BABIP to compensate. He’s a bit homer prone, which is less than ideal against the Orioles, but if he keeps the ball in the park, the Reds may have a chance to keep runs off the board.
Questions for the GMs:
For Vic Black, how has your club looked after your trade deadline acquisitions?
Last year, your team was a defensive disaster. This year, your Zone Rating is -5.4, where last year it was -72.5. How much did you invest in improving your defense this year?
When you signed Mychal Givens in the offseason, did you expect he would be a part of your bullpen instead of part of your Norfolk Tides’ bullpen?
For Mike Neugebauer, rookie Harland Guenette has spent a chunk of the year in the majors. How has he looked to you during his rookie year?
Doug Syverson has had a sensational year for you in relief. What’s his future with your club?
Which player are you paying the most attention to down the stretch?
TRIVIA: Who is the last Cincinnati Red to win a Gold Glove?
