Archive for Camden Depot

Nick Markakis and Why the Orioles Should Pick Up His Option

Posted in Offense, Offseason with tags , , on October 23, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

After the loss to the Royals in the ALCS, the Orioles offseason is officially underway, and they have several items they need to take care of prior to the start of the 2015 season.  One of the decisions that needs to be made deals with the team option that they hold for Nick Markakis.  Even though the media is reporting that the Orioles are likely to decline his option, I explain why I think they should exercise it today at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot.

Direct Link to Article –> Nick Markakis and Why the Orioles Should Pick Up His Option

It Wasn’t Bad Luck that Ended the Orioles Season

Posted in Playoffs with tags , on October 17, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

The season of the Baltimore Orioles ended on Wednesday, after they were swept out of the American League Championship Series by the Kansas City Royals.  Since then, there has been a lot of discussion regarding the idea that the Royals won because they were lucky.  Today at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I explain why bad luck isn’t the reason the Orioles aren’t playing baseball anymore.

Direct Link to Article –> It Wasn’t Bad Luck that Ended the Orioles Season

Darren O’Day’s Game 1 Mistake to Alex Gordon

Posted in Pitching, Playoffs with tags , , , , on October 13, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

After playing two close games to start out the ALCS, the Orioles find themselves down 2-0 to the Kansas City Royals as the series resumes tonight in Kansas City for Game 3.  With the first two games being played so closely, there were several key moments that ultimately altered the outcome of each game.  One of those moments was when Darren O’Day faced off faced off against Royals LF Alex Gordon in the top of the 10th inning in Game 1.  Today over at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I examine how what looked like a good pitch from O’Day, actually wasn’t a good pitch at all.

Direct Link to Article –> Darren O’Day’s Game 1 Mistake to Alex Gordon

How Orioles Pitching Can Limit Eric Hosmer in the ALCS

Posted in Playoffs with tags , , , on October 10, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

Starting tonight, the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals will meet in the American League Championship Series (I have a series preview up here).  It will be the first time that either team has made it that far in the postseason since 1983 (Orioles) and 1985 (Royals).  Both team’s have been great stories this year, but someone’s magical season is going to end here.  The Orioles will have to do a number of things to be successful in this series, and one of them will be for the pitching staff to limit the damage produced by Eric Hosmer‘s bat.  He’s hitting .500/.632/1.143 in 4 playoff games and is a big reason as to why their offense has been so potent in the postseason.  Today at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I examine how the Baltimore pitching staff can slow him down.

Direct Link to Article –> How Orioles Pitching Can Limit Eric Hosmer in the ALCS

Leaving Kevin Gausman Out of the Playoff Rotation Would Be a Mistake

Posted in Pitching, Playoffs with tags , , on September 24, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

The Baltimore Orioles have the AL East all wrapped up and one of the (many) things they are trying to figure out is who will be included in their postseason starting rotation.  We got a sneak peak at Game 1 yesterday, although it wasn’t much of a surprise…

The current rumor is that Kevin Gausman would be left out of the playoff rotation.  I think this would be a mistake, and today over at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I explain why.

Direct Link to Article –> Leaving Kevin Gausman Out of the Playoff Rotation Would Be a Mistake

The Giant Hole in Baltimore’s Lineup

Posted in Offense with tags , on September 19, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

For most of the 2014 season, the Baltimore Orioles have had an above average hitter at every spot in their lineup (or close to it), and it’s been a big reason why they’ve clinched the American League East for the first time since 1997.  However, there’s a giant hole in that lineup at second base, where Jonathan Schoop has played excellent defense but has been overmatched by major league pitching.  Today at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I take a closer look at Jonathan Schoop’s season.

Direct Link to Article –> The Giant Hole in Baltimore’s Lineup

How the Chris Davis Suspension Affects the Rest of the Season

Posted in Offense, Playoffs with tags , on September 13, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

Yesterday, Chris Davis was suspended for 25 games by major league baseball for using performance enhancing drugs.  He’ll miss the team’s remaining 17 regular season games and at least 8 playoff games, as long as the Orioles are fortunate enough to play that many.  Today at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I take a look at how that may affect the team moving forward.  Surprisingly, it may not change much at all.

Direct Link to Article –> How the Chris Davis Suspension Affects the Rest of the Season

Quick Thoughts on Recent Roster Changes

Posted in Offense, Pitching, Trades with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 4, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

The Orioles continue to command the AL East, with several media outlets giving them over a 99% chance to not only make the playoffs, but to win the division.  With the playoffs in mind, Baltimore made a couple of transactions (through trades and expanded rosters) to not only help finish the season strong, but to also improve the team for the postseason.  Today at ESPN Sweetspot Orioles blog Camden Depot, I take a quick look at these roster moves and how they’ll help the team moving forward.

Direct Link to Article –> Quick Thoughts on Recent Roster Changes

Why is Ryan Webb Pitching in Norfolk?

Posted in Minor Leagues, Pitching, Trades with tags , , , on August 15, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

Ryan Webb has been one of the best relievers in the Baltimore bullpen this year.  So when the Orioles traded for Andrew Miller at the deadline two weeks ago, they naturally made room for Miller on the roster by designating Webb off of the 25-man roster (technically a different action than optioning him to the minor leagues, but essentially the same thing).  It was a curious move at the time that has only become more curious by the fact that he’s been down in AAA for the entire time.  Today at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I try to figure out why.

Direct Link to Article –> Why is Ryan Webb Pitching in Norfolk?

Orioles Give Up Too Much for Andrew Miller

Posted in Pitching, Trades with tags , , , , , , on August 1, 2014 by oriolesprovingground

One of the busiest trade deadlines that I can remember is now over and the Orioles came out of it with one move.  Similar to (one of) their deals at the 2013 trade deadline, Baltimore traded one of it’s more highly regarded prospects for 2 months of a reliever, sending LHP Eduardo Rodriguez to the Boston Red Sox for left handed reliever Andrew Miller.  It’s not a strategy I typically like, although Miller has been one of the most valuable relievers in all of baseball this year.  Today over at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I give my taken the Rodriguez /Miller swap.

Direct Link to Article –> Orioles Give Up Too Much for Andrew Miller