Baltimore Orioles’ starter Zach Erin was behind for the beginning today. Washington ambushed him on the first pitch of the game, and things didn’t get much better. Eflin’s line: 5.1 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 0 BB, 4 K.
As has been the base with other pitchers this year, he got too much of the plate. This after yesterday when hitters were going down and slugging pitches well low and away. Abrams slugged the first pitch of the game out of the ballpark. A solo home run plus a subsequent three-run homer in the second, and the Birds trailed 5-0.
Tack on a two-RBI single later in the inning, and a sac fly-RBI by Wood in the third. The Orioles did hit four solo homers in the game. Cedric Mullins in the fifth, and Gunnar Henderson in the sixth. Followed by another one from Mullins. Jackson Holliday added the fourth one in the seventh.
Washington added two runs late to run the final to 10-4. Needless to say, the Tony Mansolino era isn’t off to a rousing start. Mansolino did say after the game that Zach Eflin ate up innings for the Orioles, which probably saved a reliever or two.
I would also say that maybe the Orioles should consider scrapping some (not all) of the analytics. At least the heavy reliance on it at least. opposing teams know their dedication to it, and they also read the same reports. It appears that they already know what the Orioles are going to do or how they’re going to play something. If you know what your opponent is going to do to you, all you have to do is do something different.
That could also explain some of the more baffling in-game decisions at times. Coaches need to coach. Computers do not. The last thing anyone wants is for your savior faire of computers and numbers to separate the good and bad coaches in sports.
The O’s now head to Milwaukee for the first of three at Miller Park. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Milwaukee’s Quinn Priester. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 