Matchups: Kansas City Royals

Sweep?  Did somebody say sweep? 

I don't know about that, I'm just happy to get 2 wins for now.   

I must say, even with all of the losses as of late [until KC], I believe we are showing much progress in the Pitching Deptartment.  Now lets continue with the Bats.  I like seeing Freddie Bynum back in the lineup.  Maybe we can regain our confidence a bit in Kansas City and possibly discuss the S word. 

But at the same time, KC is one of the worst teams in the league. If we want to be a .500 or near .500 team, you gotta beat the teams on the bottom. Especially after getting smoked in three straight series against the teams at the top.

We ought to take at least 3 in this series. A sweep would be nice.

That post that Sess left about "Well a half of change of pace" that was hilarious. I am so happy that the Rays are up there instead of the Yanks.

I just heard that the Yanks might bring back David Wells???

I hate them. I hope this makes them ten time worse.

Hope we take the third one tonight. Go O'S!!!!!!!!

Let me get one thing straight with the Kranitz thing. The Florida sports media was all over the way he handled the pitchers last year. Dontrelle Willis, Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez and others were often left in the game too long (a comment that continued right here on this forum on more than a few occassions when Orioles pitchers were left in after surpassing the 100 pitch count and looked gassed). Even Dontrelle will tell you that the Marlins pitchers were always prepared and that Rick could relate to the youngsters. But Florida ran him out of town after his second year because the pitching staff and the DL had all the same names on it. Two of them, Sanchez and Johnson, haven't made it back yet! If Baltimore can harness his ability to teach and rapport with the young arms, while ensuring that he too learn the REAL nuances of a pitching coach (like knowing when to say when), then it may work. I lived the rollercoaster ride the last 2 years down here in Florida. In 2006 he was the next great pitching coach. In 2007 he was the coach who killed arms. His team pitching finished last in baseball in 2007. Now in 2008, the O's fans think he's a Godsend. I hope it works for everyone's sake. But I wouldn't count on it!

You can read what you want into anything. As far as Daniel Cabrera is concerned, is it Kranitz or is Cabrera a fifth year pro entering his prime and is now "getting it." Who gets blamed for Adam Loewen's issues? Was he brought back to fast? What role does Kranitz play in that? Did Rick try to speed up Steve Trachsel? Is that why he is pitching poorly? Or is Steve just old and done? How about Greg Aquino? Or Randor Bierd who found himself on the DL with Loewen? Trachsel, Aquino, Bierd and Loewen are negatives. Cabrera is a positive. Garrett Olson and Jim R. Johnson are next. When all is said and done, the answer will lie in the improvement or decline of the staff as a whole. The number of bum arms will tell the rest of the story. For references, see the 2006 and 2007 Florida Marlins.