Following a 3 game sweep of the Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles continue inter-league play tonight, as they head south for a weekend series in Atlanta. The O’s have won 5 consecutive games, 3 straight series, and are 11 games over .500 at 37-26 (2nd in the AL East, a .5 GB of New York, and currently the first Wild Card team in the AL).

Atlanta is 34-29 overall, 3rd place in the National League East, 5 GB the Nationals.

1) Pittsburgh came to Baltimore with the Major’s 3rd best ERA. The Pirates left Charm City having allowed 27 runs in the 3 games played. It was great seeing multiple bats in the lineup get going at the same time, and you want to see it continue in Atlanta.

2) Wieters was 4 for 5 with 2 doubles and 5 rbi last night. In June, he is now 18 for 49, and has raised his OPS to .789. We apologize for the repetition, but the offense is just much more dynamic with him as a force in the middle of the lineup.

3) Reynolds was 0 for 12 going into the Pittsburgh series. With 3 multi-hit games against the Pirates (including 5 extra-base hits), his OPS is now .808 (.814 career). As the O’s prepare to go on the road vs. a National League team, Reynolds needs to be playing at 3rd, because Davis also has to be in the lineup.

4) Davis will cool down again at some point, and will drive people crazy with his disparate walk to k ratio. That said, one of the things that impresses me most about Davis’ season, is that he has gone through a couple of lulls, and come out of them swinging several times already this year. He is currently riding a 7 game hitting streak, with 4 multi-hit games in that stretch. His wOBA is .373. His ISO .234. His LD, and FB percentages are directly in-line with his career averages. We went into the year thinking a .750 OPS, and 20+ bombs was realistic. Even if his numbers regress, he has shown he can be a useful member of the roster. You have to love the upside he is showing, especially at his salary. He might be another piece you build around for the next several years.

5) Matusz had a batting practice mishap the other day, that pushed his start back to tonight. As we said prior to his expected outing vs. the Pirates; going into his last start vs. the Red Sox, he had had 4 straight starts of 6+ ip, and 3 er or less. Against Boston, Matusz was chased from the game having pitched just 2 innings, and allowing 5 walks. It is up to him to start the road trip on a positive note.

6) Turner Field has massive Power Alley’s and a lot of OF ground to cover. With Chavez back on the DL, the current options on either side of Jones are Pearce, Flaherty, and Tolleson. Pearce and Flaherty have shown to be competent, with both flashing some leather. Will they be tested this weekend?
6a) Pearce has hits in 6 of his 7 games with the O’s, including a double and HR last night.
6b) Using Betemit in LF at Turner Field would be a mistake.

7) Hammel was very impressive to begin the year with his fastball command. We have not seen that sharpness lately. In his last outing vs. Philadelphia, he had 5 walks. He was falling behind in multiple counts, as opposed to where he looked his best; and was quickly getting ahead on hitters. He has now allowed 4 er in 4 of his last 6 starts. Good enough to keep the O’s in the games, but not at the level he started the season with. Seeing him have a strong start this weekend would be a great sign for the O’s.

8) Chen has won his last two starts, but after a sensational outing vs. Boston, Chen was just so-so vs. Pittsburgh. In that spacious Turner Field, you would like to see him keep the ball in the stadium. For the year, Chen is 6-2 with a 3.68 era. In his 73.1 ip, he has allowed 73 hits, 8 hr, 24 bb’s, with 55 k’s. His OPS against is .724, and his G/F is 0.67.

9) Roberts played in all 3 games against Pittsburgh. Does he start all 3 games in Atlanta? In his first game back, he had 3 hits. After an 0 for 5 Wednesday, Roberts came back with another hit and several good ab’s last night.

10) Hardy was 1 for 23 going into the series vs. Pittsburgh. He responded with 7 hits. Could see his power-stroke come alive this weekend.

Projected Pitchers:
6/15: Matusz vs. Hanson
6/16: Hammel vs. Beachy
6/17: Chen vs. Delgado

Hanson: 7-4, 3.55 era, 76 ip, 73 hits, 10 hr’s, 27 bb’s, 67 k’s, .720 OPS against, 0.80 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/462102/

Beachy: 5-4, 1.98 era, 77.1 ip, 49 hits, 6 hr’s, 28 bb’s, 63 k’s, .524 OPS against, 0.76 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/545404/

Delgado: 4-6, 4.34 era, 66.1 ip, 59 hits, 6 hr’s, 36 bb’s, 54 k’s, .710 OPS against, 1.15 G/F
Pitch F/X: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/517414/

C: McCann .735 OPS
1st: Freeman .730 OPS
2nd: Uggla .857 OPS
SS: Simmons  38 ab’s
3rd: Jones  .838 OPS
LF: Prado .848 OPS
CF: Bourn .827 OPS
RF: Heyward .780 OPS

Bench: Ross, Boscan, Diaz, Francisco, Hinkse, Wilson
Rotation: Hudson, Hanson, Beachy, Delgado, Minor
Bullpen: Kimbrel, Venters, O’Flaherty, Martinez, Durbin, Hernandez

Current Ranks:

Atlanta
Runs: 7th
Batting Average: 13th
On Base: 12th
Slugging: 14th
ERA: 20th
Quality Starts: 27th
WHIP: 19th
BAA: 15th

Baltimore
Runs: 10th
Batting Average: 17th
On Base: 20th
Slugging: 6th
ERA: 11th
Quality Starts: 25th
WHIP: 10th
BAA: 12th

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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