Game 5 incoming, thinking about the Orioles’ stars, and how to improve for 2025.
Good Morning, Birdland,
The baseball season will continue for at least one more day. The Dodgers “bullpen game” approach on Tuesday night did not go well as the Yankees scored against each of the four arms they faced, including a grand slam from Anthony Volpe in the third inning. The 11-4 win for the Bombers will force a Game 5 tonight.
It’s not all bad for the Dodgers, though. They did not use any of their top relievers in the loss, instead hoping the B squad could pull off a miracle. They couldn’t, but it leaves the strong part of the ‘pen fully rested. The Yankees, on the other hand, used Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Mark Leiter Jr., and Tim Hill in back-to-back games. Now, this is the World Series. These guys are not off limits to Aaron Boone tonight. But it’s possible they won’t be in tip-top shape, especially in late October.
You can imagine that Boone and the Yankees fan base is more focused on the offense. After struggling through the first three games of this series, they came alive (and the Dodgers pitchers were particularly bad) in Game 4. They scored 11 runs on just nine hits because they also walked six times and were hit by a pitch. Aaron Judge even got a hit!
It’s back to reality for the Yankees tonight. They will face an actual starter as we get the same match-up as Game 1: Jack Flaherty vs. Gerrit Cole. Both were good in Game 1, although Cole was better. First pitch is 8:08 from the Bronx.
Links
The World Series is about massive stars. Do the Orioles have one? | The Baltimore Banner
It really depends on your definition of a “star.” The Orioles don’t have guys with tons of track record, like the Dodgers and Yankees do. But they have oodles of talent, and there is reason to think they are still ascending.
Despite struggles, Orioles’ offense doesn’t have obvious holes to fill this offseason | The Baltimore Sun
This is true, at least they don’t have holes at any position. But they do have roles to fill in terms of clubhouse presence. Anthony Santander could be a big loss in that regard, and even if the slugger does return to Baltimore, the Orioles need at least one more veteran voice that has “been there, done that” in the postseason.
Douglas Hodo III’s first Fall League homer | MLB.com
Hodo was an interesting player to follow in the summer. He fill up the stat sheet in Aberdeen, swiping 42 bases and getting on base at a .397 clip. The Orioles might have something in the former sixth-round pick.
Looking at three more ways for the Orioles to improve in 2025 – Roch Kubatko
Two of the reasons feel like they really HAVE to happen: Adley Rutschman needs to be better, and Jackson Holliday needs to get settled. The Orioles are talented enough to drag one black hole in the lineup around, but not two.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Luis Matos turns 46 today. From 2000 through 2006, Matos patrolled the Orioles outfield. Over 494 total games he had a .688 OPS, swiped 72 bases, and played sometimes sparkling defense.
This day in O’s history
1986 – The Orioles trade pitcher Storm Davis to the Padres for catcher Terry Kennedy and then-minor league pitcher Mark Williamson. It’s a trade that works out well for Baltimore. Kennedy makes the all-star team in ‘87, and Williamson pitches out of the bullpen for the O’s over the next eight seasons, while Davis struggles to a 6.18 ERA in 21 total games with San Diego.