Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 15, 2024 18:57:00 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox (19-17) @ Baltimore Orioles (19-16)
BOS: Chris Donelson (3-3, 5.88)
BAL: Nate Capriglione (2-5, 4.20)
After a couple of middling years, the Baltimore Orioles are looking to return to where they were the end of last decade, where they made the playoffs four of six years from 2025 to 2030. Injuries, age, and a disappointing staff dragged them to .500 the last two years, but their offense has been supercharged in 2033. Eight regulars are hitting .291 or better, six hitters have at least four homers, and the club is second in runs.
The staff’s been solid too, with Mike Taylor locking down the ninth. Despite 91 strikeouts in 61 innings, he had a 6.20 ERA in 2031. He was more volatile in 2032: more homers, more walks, the same elevated BABIP, but incredibly more strikeouts too. He struck out 105 in 59.2 innings. This year, more of the balls in play are turning into outs. That’s helped the homer numbers drop, the walk numbers drop, and despite a dip in strikeouts, the ERA number drop too. Taylor has a 2.13 mark in the early going and four saves.
Baltimore will take on a Boston team without as much depth as years past. The lineup is more streamlined, so Boston’s choices of who to pencil in and out are much simpler. However, Boston is only 10th in OBP, using power (43 homers, fourth in the AL) and speed (42, 2nd in the AL) to succeed. Also, despite an elite bullpen that ranks second in AL, some of their starters have struggled. Chris Donelson has just a 5.88 ERA, a scary fact heading into a game against this offense. Boston will need Donnelson and their lineup to get together to overcome this Baltimore team.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, Ricardo Ventura’s rehab assignment is up. Will he be on the big club this week?
You have a more streamlined roster with nine clear offensive starters. Was that the goal, or a financial consequence?
Despite a good defense, your team has four starters with a 4.91 ERA or higher. What can you do to improve your staff?
For Dan Wagner, Wessel Russchen has a bad back. Will he spend any time on the IL?
Luis Castaneda and Mike Fitzgerald are having big years, but are free agents after the year. Do you plan on extending them?
Almost everyone in your bullpen is having a better season than last year. What’s been the difference this year?
TRIVIA: David Bollman led the AL in hits in 2031. Who led the AL in hits in 2030?
BOS: Chris Donelson (3-3, 5.88)
BAL: Nate Capriglione (2-5, 4.20)
After a couple of middling years, the Baltimore Orioles are looking to return to where they were the end of last decade, where they made the playoffs four of six years from 2025 to 2030. Injuries, age, and a disappointing staff dragged them to .500 the last two years, but their offense has been supercharged in 2033. Eight regulars are hitting .291 or better, six hitters have at least four homers, and the club is second in runs.
The staff’s been solid too, with Mike Taylor locking down the ninth. Despite 91 strikeouts in 61 innings, he had a 6.20 ERA in 2031. He was more volatile in 2032: more homers, more walks, the same elevated BABIP, but incredibly more strikeouts too. He struck out 105 in 59.2 innings. This year, more of the balls in play are turning into outs. That’s helped the homer numbers drop, the walk numbers drop, and despite a dip in strikeouts, the ERA number drop too. Taylor has a 2.13 mark in the early going and four saves.
Baltimore will take on a Boston team without as much depth as years past. The lineup is more streamlined, so Boston’s choices of who to pencil in and out are much simpler. However, Boston is only 10th in OBP, using power (43 homers, fourth in the AL) and speed (42, 2nd in the AL) to succeed. Also, despite an elite bullpen that ranks second in AL, some of their starters have struggled. Chris Donelson has just a 5.88 ERA, a scary fact heading into a game against this offense. Boston will need Donnelson and their lineup to get together to overcome this Baltimore team.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, Ricardo Ventura’s rehab assignment is up. Will he be on the big club this week?
You have a more streamlined roster with nine clear offensive starters. Was that the goal, or a financial consequence?
Despite a good defense, your team has four starters with a 4.91 ERA or higher. What can you do to improve your staff?
For Dan Wagner, Wessel Russchen has a bad back. Will he spend any time on the IL?
Luis Castaneda and Mike Fitzgerald are having big years, but are free agents after the year. Do you plan on extending them?
Almost everyone in your bullpen is having a better season than last year. What’s been the difference this year?
TRIVIA: David Bollman led the AL in hits in 2031. Who led the AL in hits in 2030?
