Post by Commissioner Erick on Jul 14, 2022 7:02:45 GMT -5
Seattle Mariners (60-41) @ Baltimore Orioles (55-45)
SEA: Jeifry Nunez (5-4, 4.96)
BAL: Tommy Stanfield (5-6, 4.13)
Mariners 5 Key Stats:
5.85: Jeifry Nunez’ road ERA: Nunez has really struggled away from Amazon Prime Park with a 5.85 mark on the road. The strikeouts are down, the home runs are up, and even the BABIP goes through the roof. Meanwhile, Nunez has allowed more than two runs at home just once since April, and that came against the Baltimore Orioles the week before the All Star Break. Nunez was one of the heroes of the Dominican National team that lost to Venezuela in the championship, and he’d love revenge against Wilkerman Garcia.
3.61: Michael Lorenzen’s ERA: Cowboy Lorenzen has a perfectly fine ERA of 3.61, and a splendid 4-0 record in relief. It all belies a -1.0 WAR. Cowboy’s control is still splendid, but the stuff doesn’t generate whiffs anymore, and hitters have 12 home runs in 47.1 innings. A deal to send him to Cincinnati was scuttled when Cowboy didn’t waive his no-trade clause. Lorenzen’s history is immaculate and the fourth leading Saves accumulator of all-time may have a Hall of Fame shot, but Lorenzen may be approaching his last rodeo.
49: Wins in Seattle’s last 73 games: After an 11-18 start that left Seattle wondering about selling, Dean Wiley has righted the ship, with the team catching fire right as April was ending. It’s been a balanced approach, but mostly, the pitching calmed down after a rough start. The club is up to fifth in runs scored and against on the season, making the Mariners a clear contender.
73: Steals for Seattle: Seattle is 12th in home runs, succeeding with their speed, not their pop. It’s a balanced approach, but six players have seven steals, led by Josh Bush’ 16. They’re very opportune base-runners, not relying on guy to wreak havoc on the bases. That’ll be a fun contrast with an Orioles team that has thrown out runners at the best rate in the AL.
1.92: Woo-Seok Ko’s ERA: Ko has moved into a new phase of his career, working out of the pen. He has a 1.92 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and has allowed just four homers out of the pen. The AL strikeout king isn’t happy working out of the pen, but he’s pleased with his team’s record. Ko has an outside shot of doing something he’s done just once as a starter—winning double digit games.
Orioles 5 Key Stats:
39: Games Wessel Russchen has played this year: Baltimore’s Dutch superstar has played in just 39% of Baltimore’s games, a main reason they’re struggling a bit against expectations. Russchen’s strained groin was healed about three weeks ago, but he’s still on the IL and hasn’t begun rehab. He may play today, or go on a rehab assignment, or remain in limbo.
3: Orioles with double digit home runs: It’s eerie to imagine the Orioles not slugging the ball, but that’s where we are. Emmanuel Tapia and Salesman Ancrum are still sources of power in the lineup, and when Russchen has been healthy, he’s clubbed 11 long balls. Nobody else has more than six, and the power outage is crippling Baltimore’s offense.
3: Strikeouts for Corey Thornton in July: Baltimore’s gotten great work from Sticky, whose bat sticks to the ball. On the year, Thornton has walked 17 times and whiffed just 12, and has 20 doubles in 245 Plate Appearances. Acquired for Jake Bauers in 2026, Thornton has turned into a solid player.
.350: Tommy Stanfield’s BABIP: Somehow, through years of awful Baltimore defense, Stanfield has seen this year’s adequate fielding yield the highest BABIP of his career. Thornton’s no stranger to wild BABIP fluctuations. He allowed a .267 mark in 2025 when he went 18-0. He had more WAR the next year, but a .346 BABIP raised his ERA from 3.27 to 4.84. This year, he’s 5-6 with a 4.13 mark that would be a lot better if he had better luck on balls in play.
15: Baltimore’s strikeout percentage: The Orioles, long a solid team in terms of strikeout rate, are taking things to new extremes this year. The 15% mark would be the lowest in PBA history. Baltimore is forcing teams to beat them with defense this year. It’s not a terrible strategy, but it’s been less successful than when they were beating teams with home runs.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dean Wiley, will we see Boyd Vander Kooi or Joe Rizzo today? Both have minor injuries. Will you keep them on the roster or put them on the IL?
With the trade deadline fast approaching, any areas you’re trying to improve upon?
The Orioles never strike out. Will you employ a more defensive-oriented unit today to handle that approach?
For Vic Black, will we see Wessel Russchen today?
How has Ernie Clement looked as Mike Floyd’s fill-in?
With Thornton hitting the way he is, any thought of moving him up in the order?
TRIVIA: Every hitter who started a game for this year’s World Champion Venezuelan National Team has made an All-Star Game in their career, except one. Who is that player?
SEA: Jeifry Nunez (5-4, 4.96)
BAL: Tommy Stanfield (5-6, 4.13)
Mariners 5 Key Stats:
5.85: Jeifry Nunez’ road ERA: Nunez has really struggled away from Amazon Prime Park with a 5.85 mark on the road. The strikeouts are down, the home runs are up, and even the BABIP goes through the roof. Meanwhile, Nunez has allowed more than two runs at home just once since April, and that came against the Baltimore Orioles the week before the All Star Break. Nunez was one of the heroes of the Dominican National team that lost to Venezuela in the championship, and he’d love revenge against Wilkerman Garcia.
3.61: Michael Lorenzen’s ERA: Cowboy Lorenzen has a perfectly fine ERA of 3.61, and a splendid 4-0 record in relief. It all belies a -1.0 WAR. Cowboy’s control is still splendid, but the stuff doesn’t generate whiffs anymore, and hitters have 12 home runs in 47.1 innings. A deal to send him to Cincinnati was scuttled when Cowboy didn’t waive his no-trade clause. Lorenzen’s history is immaculate and the fourth leading Saves accumulator of all-time may have a Hall of Fame shot, but Lorenzen may be approaching his last rodeo.
49: Wins in Seattle’s last 73 games: After an 11-18 start that left Seattle wondering about selling, Dean Wiley has righted the ship, with the team catching fire right as April was ending. It’s been a balanced approach, but mostly, the pitching calmed down after a rough start. The club is up to fifth in runs scored and against on the season, making the Mariners a clear contender.
73: Steals for Seattle: Seattle is 12th in home runs, succeeding with their speed, not their pop. It’s a balanced approach, but six players have seven steals, led by Josh Bush’ 16. They’re very opportune base-runners, not relying on guy to wreak havoc on the bases. That’ll be a fun contrast with an Orioles team that has thrown out runners at the best rate in the AL.
1.92: Woo-Seok Ko’s ERA: Ko has moved into a new phase of his career, working out of the pen. He has a 1.92 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and has allowed just four homers out of the pen. The AL strikeout king isn’t happy working out of the pen, but he’s pleased with his team’s record. Ko has an outside shot of doing something he’s done just once as a starter—winning double digit games.
Orioles 5 Key Stats:
39: Games Wessel Russchen has played this year: Baltimore’s Dutch superstar has played in just 39% of Baltimore’s games, a main reason they’re struggling a bit against expectations. Russchen’s strained groin was healed about three weeks ago, but he’s still on the IL and hasn’t begun rehab. He may play today, or go on a rehab assignment, or remain in limbo.
3: Orioles with double digit home runs: It’s eerie to imagine the Orioles not slugging the ball, but that’s where we are. Emmanuel Tapia and Salesman Ancrum are still sources of power in the lineup, and when Russchen has been healthy, he’s clubbed 11 long balls. Nobody else has more than six, and the power outage is crippling Baltimore’s offense.
3: Strikeouts for Corey Thornton in July: Baltimore’s gotten great work from Sticky, whose bat sticks to the ball. On the year, Thornton has walked 17 times and whiffed just 12, and has 20 doubles in 245 Plate Appearances. Acquired for Jake Bauers in 2026, Thornton has turned into a solid player.
.350: Tommy Stanfield’s BABIP: Somehow, through years of awful Baltimore defense, Stanfield has seen this year’s adequate fielding yield the highest BABIP of his career. Thornton’s no stranger to wild BABIP fluctuations. He allowed a .267 mark in 2025 when he went 18-0. He had more WAR the next year, but a .346 BABIP raised his ERA from 3.27 to 4.84. This year, he’s 5-6 with a 4.13 mark that would be a lot better if he had better luck on balls in play.
15: Baltimore’s strikeout percentage: The Orioles, long a solid team in terms of strikeout rate, are taking things to new extremes this year. The 15% mark would be the lowest in PBA history. Baltimore is forcing teams to beat them with defense this year. It’s not a terrible strategy, but it’s been less successful than when they were beating teams with home runs.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dean Wiley, will we see Boyd Vander Kooi or Joe Rizzo today? Both have minor injuries. Will you keep them on the roster or put them on the IL?
With the trade deadline fast approaching, any areas you’re trying to improve upon?
The Orioles never strike out. Will you employ a more defensive-oriented unit today to handle that approach?
For Vic Black, will we see Wessel Russchen today?
How has Ernie Clement looked as Mike Floyd’s fill-in?
With Thornton hitting the way he is, any thought of moving him up in the order?
TRIVIA: Every hitter who started a game for this year’s World Champion Venezuelan National Team has made an All-Star Game in their career, except one. Who is that player?
