Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 26, 2023 12:06:58 GMT -5
Baltimore Orioles (90-59) @ Detroit Tigers (71-78)
BAL: Sergio Arellano (9-7, 5.54)
DET: Alejandro de Luna (1-0, 1.02)
Orioles 3 Key Stats
7.5: Wessel Russchen’s WAR: Wessel Russchen was having a sensational season, with 7.5 WAR, second most in the AL. Baltimore will need to figure out how to make a playoff run without him. Russchen tore his quad in the first inning of Friday’s game, stretching to beat out an infield hit. The injury will end the superstar’s season. Russchen did everything for Baltimore, with a .325 average, 37 doubles, 28 homers, and 19 steals. Baltimore is only seventh in homers, so the team will need to try to find some more hitters who hit for a high average and hope Baltimore’s hit parade can continue to produce runs.
2.4: Corey LaRosa’s walk rate: Russchen wasn’t the only player hurt during their series with Detroit—Omar Baldo suffered a herniated disk after colliding with Ivan Johnson trying to break up a double play. Baldo was clutching his back and doctors diagnosed him with a herniated disk that will keep him out for the playoffs. Corey LaRosa will get a chance to shine, but he needs to improve his walk rate. He has just three in 126 plate appearances. It comes with the territory as Baldo had only 11 in 480 plate appearances. But Baldo had been a reliable hitter with solid averages and doubles. LaRosa is just a rookie hitting .248, albeit with eight doubles. If the walk rate can improve, he should be able to keep the chains moving for Baltimore. If not, he’ll need to boost his average to not weigh down the Baltimore offense.
.321: David Kouns average: After leading the AL in hits in 2028, Kouns struggled in 2029 and spent most of this year in Triple-A. Called up when Juan Carrasco went on the IL in late August, Kouns hit like he did in 2028. He has a .321 average and a pair of triples in 87 plate appearances over 24 games. Kouns makes contact and runs well, and he may be able to keep turning over the Orioles lineup even in Russchen’s absense He has no power to speak of though, meaning Baltimore will need BABIP to do even more work for them in Russchen’s average. It’ll be heavy lifting for the rest of the lineup, for sure, but it will be made lighter if Kouns can continue to hit over .300.
Tigers 3 Key Stats
5.49: Detroit’s September ERA: Detroit has switched to the pitching method employed by St. Louis with no starting pitchers, only relievers. The results haven’t been great. The Tigers 5.49 ERA is last in the league for the month. Six pitchers now have ERAs over 5 for the season with Antonio Zamora’s 4.89 mark on the cusp after giving up five runs in 0.2 innings yesterday. The team’s pitchers are exhausted as a result. Detroit may need a different set of pitchers for the strategy to work.
7: Games for Asa Lacy: The long time stalwart of Detroit’s staff has been through so much the past few seasons. He pitched through shoulder woes in 2028, ending up with a 7.02 ERA before shutting things down. Last year he pitched better, but a torn flexor tendon had many believing he’d never pitch again. Finally recovered, Lacy has worked seven games reasonably well. He allowed a couple of homers in a bad inning in Oakland, but his other 6.2 frames have gone on without a hitch. The pitcher has four more years left on his contract, so Detroit is hoping he has anything left in the tank.
.400: Geoff Milgore’s slugging percentage: One of the most unique hitters in the PBA, Milgore has a solid .400 slugging percentage and .739 OPS—despite a single homer in 450 plate appearances. The Rule V pick has hit .300 though, with 35 doubles. He’s rarely hitting it to the wall, but with good speed and a massive park, he’s been able to find the gaps and sprint around the bases. It’s made him a weapon despite a total lack of power. It’s still a profile leading to an average wRC+, and he needs a .361 BABIP for his approach to work, but even if his production doesn’t hold up, he plays all three outfield spots and has 13 steals, making him a useful backup at worst.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dan Wagner, Omar Baldo will miss two weeks. I assume Corey LaRosa will take over Catching duties, but who will be the backup?
The Wessel Russchen injury is simply massive. Who will replace him on the roster and in the lineup, and how will you adjust your starting lineup to compensate?
Mike Floyd has a bruised forearm. Will e play today or will he get the day off?
For David Boyer, Luis Colon has a strained oblique and a strained calf. Will you put him on the IL or have him pitch through it?
Your all-bullpen approach hasn’t worked this year, at least as of late. What’s prevented it from being successful?
You have a number of veteran free agent outfielders. Are you leaning towards bringing back any of Amari Maggette, Gilberto Celestino, or Sergio Maldonadao?
TRIVIA: Who is the only US player to win the World Baseball Classic MVP
BAL: Sergio Arellano (9-7, 5.54)
DET: Alejandro de Luna (1-0, 1.02)
Orioles 3 Key Stats
7.5: Wessel Russchen’s WAR: Wessel Russchen was having a sensational season, with 7.5 WAR, second most in the AL. Baltimore will need to figure out how to make a playoff run without him. Russchen tore his quad in the first inning of Friday’s game, stretching to beat out an infield hit. The injury will end the superstar’s season. Russchen did everything for Baltimore, with a .325 average, 37 doubles, 28 homers, and 19 steals. Baltimore is only seventh in homers, so the team will need to try to find some more hitters who hit for a high average and hope Baltimore’s hit parade can continue to produce runs.
2.4: Corey LaRosa’s walk rate: Russchen wasn’t the only player hurt during their series with Detroit—Omar Baldo suffered a herniated disk after colliding with Ivan Johnson trying to break up a double play. Baldo was clutching his back and doctors diagnosed him with a herniated disk that will keep him out for the playoffs. Corey LaRosa will get a chance to shine, but he needs to improve his walk rate. He has just three in 126 plate appearances. It comes with the territory as Baldo had only 11 in 480 plate appearances. But Baldo had been a reliable hitter with solid averages and doubles. LaRosa is just a rookie hitting .248, albeit with eight doubles. If the walk rate can improve, he should be able to keep the chains moving for Baltimore. If not, he’ll need to boost his average to not weigh down the Baltimore offense.
.321: David Kouns average: After leading the AL in hits in 2028, Kouns struggled in 2029 and spent most of this year in Triple-A. Called up when Juan Carrasco went on the IL in late August, Kouns hit like he did in 2028. He has a .321 average and a pair of triples in 87 plate appearances over 24 games. Kouns makes contact and runs well, and he may be able to keep turning over the Orioles lineup even in Russchen’s absense He has no power to speak of though, meaning Baltimore will need BABIP to do even more work for them in Russchen’s average. It’ll be heavy lifting for the rest of the lineup, for sure, but it will be made lighter if Kouns can continue to hit over .300.
Tigers 3 Key Stats
5.49: Detroit’s September ERA: Detroit has switched to the pitching method employed by St. Louis with no starting pitchers, only relievers. The results haven’t been great. The Tigers 5.49 ERA is last in the league for the month. Six pitchers now have ERAs over 5 for the season with Antonio Zamora’s 4.89 mark on the cusp after giving up five runs in 0.2 innings yesterday. The team’s pitchers are exhausted as a result. Detroit may need a different set of pitchers for the strategy to work.
7: Games for Asa Lacy: The long time stalwart of Detroit’s staff has been through so much the past few seasons. He pitched through shoulder woes in 2028, ending up with a 7.02 ERA before shutting things down. Last year he pitched better, but a torn flexor tendon had many believing he’d never pitch again. Finally recovered, Lacy has worked seven games reasonably well. He allowed a couple of homers in a bad inning in Oakland, but his other 6.2 frames have gone on without a hitch. The pitcher has four more years left on his contract, so Detroit is hoping he has anything left in the tank.
.400: Geoff Milgore’s slugging percentage: One of the most unique hitters in the PBA, Milgore has a solid .400 slugging percentage and .739 OPS—despite a single homer in 450 plate appearances. The Rule V pick has hit .300 though, with 35 doubles. He’s rarely hitting it to the wall, but with good speed and a massive park, he’s been able to find the gaps and sprint around the bases. It’s made him a weapon despite a total lack of power. It’s still a profile leading to an average wRC+, and he needs a .361 BABIP for his approach to work, but even if his production doesn’t hold up, he plays all three outfield spots and has 13 steals, making him a useful backup at worst.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dan Wagner, Omar Baldo will miss two weeks. I assume Corey LaRosa will take over Catching duties, but who will be the backup?
The Wessel Russchen injury is simply massive. Who will replace him on the roster and in the lineup, and how will you adjust your starting lineup to compensate?
Mike Floyd has a bruised forearm. Will e play today or will he get the day off?
For David Boyer, Luis Colon has a strained oblique and a strained calf. Will you put him on the IL or have him pitch through it?
Your all-bullpen approach hasn’t worked this year, at least as of late. What’s prevented it from being successful?
You have a number of veteran free agent outfielders. Are you leaning towards bringing back any of Amari Maggette, Gilberto Celestino, or Sergio Maldonadao?
TRIVIA: Who is the only US player to win the World Baseball Classic MVP
