Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 18, 2021 12:00:18 GMT -5
Baltimore Orioles (9-7) @ Boston Red Sox (12-4)
BAL: Darwinzon Hernandez (3-0, 2.66)
BOS: Andy DeShaw (1-0, 2.12)
Orioles 5 Key Stats:
27: Baltimore Home Runs, first in the league. The Orioles remain an offensive powerhouse and are picking up where they left off the last few years. They have four more long balls than second place Oakland.
1.4: Wessel Russchen’s WAR, tops in the AL. Russchen is playing great right now, with a .400 average, five home runs, and 11 runs scored. He’s also played a strong center field and is a candidate to win his first MVP this year.
-1.59: Baltimore’s Zone Rating, 11th in baseball. Not a great number, 11th may be a number respectable enough where Baltimore isn’t hurt by it. They have a great offense and a good staff, so being better than abysmal is the defensive goal. Their outfield defense has been strong, but balls on the ground are an adventure.
2: The number of walks allowed by Darwinzon Hernandez this year. Hernandez’ strikeout numbers have been solid, but his control has been impeccable, issuing two free passes in 20.1 innings. He’s 3-0, looking to improve to a league best 4-0.
10.50: ERA of Orioles rookie Closer Larry Price. Price has allowed a run in four straight games, has walked four, and allowed two home runs in 6 innings of work. He’s still 5-5 in save opportunities, but hasn’t looked reliable.
Red Sox 5 Key Stats:
9: The number of players in Boston’s starting lineup who have homered this year. Boston’s putting out a deep offense that’s third in home runs and runs scored.
.333: Andy DeShaw’s BABIP. He allowed the lowest BABIP in the AL last year—.254—on the way to a strong 3.24 ERA. This year the BABIP has jumped nearly 100 points and DeShaw has been even better. His ERA is at 2.12. He’s striking out more than a batter an inning, and he’s helped by Boston turning the most double plays in the AL thus far.
19: RBI’s by Joe Taylor, leading the league. Taylor, who will soon turn 26, has spent two solid seasons in Boston, but appears to be making a leap. His six home runs are 40% of the way to last year’s 15, and his .333 average would shatter his career high. Scouts have always loved the power, and now it appears the hit tool is catching up.
60: The percent of batters Phil Cabrera has faced ending in a walk or a strikeout. Cabrera has walked nine and struck out 17 in 12 innings, A Top 25 Prospect as recently as 2025, a fractured shoulder and torn labrum has messed with Cabrera’s velocity so much where he’s now all offspeed pitches. Fans still love the maximal effort and crazy swings he generates, even if nobody knows where the pitch is going.
7: Saves by Steve Hartman, tops in the AL. Hartman led the league in Saves in 2026 and looks even better this year. He hasn’t allowed a home run, and he’s walked just three so far. Hartman just turned 27, so he’s entering the prime of his career.
Questions for the GMs:
For Vic Black, you’re going with Luis Paez at Shortstop this year. Why the decision to go with him?
Last year Mike Siani played a lot of Right Field. This year it’s Jacob Allred in Right. Why the turn to Allred?
You’re only rolling with a six-man pen. Why the lighter bullpen?
For Mike Ball, Yonathan Ramirez is out with a tricep. Who will take his place on the roster?
Andy DeShaw was homer prone last year. Do you have faith in him keeping Baltimore’s sluggers in the park?
Willi Castro has been a solid player for a few years, but he’s riding the bench thus far. What role do you see him having with your club?
TRIVIA: Who has the most All-Time wins in Red Sox history.
BAL: Darwinzon Hernandez (3-0, 2.66)
BOS: Andy DeShaw (1-0, 2.12)
Orioles 5 Key Stats:
27: Baltimore Home Runs, first in the league. The Orioles remain an offensive powerhouse and are picking up where they left off the last few years. They have four more long balls than second place Oakland.
1.4: Wessel Russchen’s WAR, tops in the AL. Russchen is playing great right now, with a .400 average, five home runs, and 11 runs scored. He’s also played a strong center field and is a candidate to win his first MVP this year.
-1.59: Baltimore’s Zone Rating, 11th in baseball. Not a great number, 11th may be a number respectable enough where Baltimore isn’t hurt by it. They have a great offense and a good staff, so being better than abysmal is the defensive goal. Their outfield defense has been strong, but balls on the ground are an adventure.
2: The number of walks allowed by Darwinzon Hernandez this year. Hernandez’ strikeout numbers have been solid, but his control has been impeccable, issuing two free passes in 20.1 innings. He’s 3-0, looking to improve to a league best 4-0.
10.50: ERA of Orioles rookie Closer Larry Price. Price has allowed a run in four straight games, has walked four, and allowed two home runs in 6 innings of work. He’s still 5-5 in save opportunities, but hasn’t looked reliable.
Red Sox 5 Key Stats:
9: The number of players in Boston’s starting lineup who have homered this year. Boston’s putting out a deep offense that’s third in home runs and runs scored.
.333: Andy DeShaw’s BABIP. He allowed the lowest BABIP in the AL last year—.254—on the way to a strong 3.24 ERA. This year the BABIP has jumped nearly 100 points and DeShaw has been even better. His ERA is at 2.12. He’s striking out more than a batter an inning, and he’s helped by Boston turning the most double plays in the AL thus far.
19: RBI’s by Joe Taylor, leading the league. Taylor, who will soon turn 26, has spent two solid seasons in Boston, but appears to be making a leap. His six home runs are 40% of the way to last year’s 15, and his .333 average would shatter his career high. Scouts have always loved the power, and now it appears the hit tool is catching up.
60: The percent of batters Phil Cabrera has faced ending in a walk or a strikeout. Cabrera has walked nine and struck out 17 in 12 innings, A Top 25 Prospect as recently as 2025, a fractured shoulder and torn labrum has messed with Cabrera’s velocity so much where he’s now all offspeed pitches. Fans still love the maximal effort and crazy swings he generates, even if nobody knows where the pitch is going.
7: Saves by Steve Hartman, tops in the AL. Hartman led the league in Saves in 2026 and looks even better this year. He hasn’t allowed a home run, and he’s walked just three so far. Hartman just turned 27, so he’s entering the prime of his career.
Questions for the GMs:
For Vic Black, you’re going with Luis Paez at Shortstop this year. Why the decision to go with him?
Last year Mike Siani played a lot of Right Field. This year it’s Jacob Allred in Right. Why the turn to Allred?
You’re only rolling with a six-man pen. Why the lighter bullpen?
For Mike Ball, Yonathan Ramirez is out with a tricep. Who will take his place on the roster?
Andy DeShaw was homer prone last year. Do you have faith in him keeping Baltimore’s sluggers in the park?
Willi Castro has been a solid player for a few years, but he’s riding the bench thus far. What role do you see him having with your club?
TRIVIA: Who has the most All-Time wins in Red Sox history.
