thundercleetz

Awesome win for the O's! A series win against the Rangers in Texas would be enormous! When Tillman is on, his pitches miss a lot of bats: spectacular late movement on the fastball that sits around 93-94 and his curve has a huge hook when he has command of it.

I won't be here either My thoughts exactly. And if I am, I plan on buying some WV mountain property and in the future it will be prestine beachfront property.

Everything I have heard about Cary is that he is a very good family guy with his head on straight. He has overcome a lot. I respect Cary's decision to play out the year. It is definitely a risk, but sometimes you have to take a risk in life to get what you want. I can see why the Ravens offered three-years, $15 million. It is right in line with what the Redskins gave Josh Wilson (three-years $12 million). That is an average-to-above average starter contract. Instead of trying to break down what Cary could do with $15 million, we should respect that he has confidence in his abilities to go out and have a great year to cash in. Three-years, $15 million sounds like a lot, but who knows what is guaranteed (Josh Wilson got $9 million guaranteed as comparison). So say the contract is 75% guaranteed, and suddenly $15 million is only $11.25 million. Uncle Sam gets 35% and Annapolis gets 7-8%, now $11.25 is only about $6.4 million. Still a lot of money, but with the type of contracts corners in this league are capable of, I can see why Cary would want to play out the season. If he gets even a $20 million contract in free agency, it is still a win for him. This is Cary's one opportunity in his lifetime to secure the future of his immediate family, and that of future generations. You have to respect that. It's a win-win for the both parties. Cary does well, the Ravens defense does better. Sure, if Cary leaves for a big deal, great for him! He gave us his all, and we have prepared by drafting corners. We might even get some draft compensation if he signs a big enough deal.

Posted in the wrong topic :P

Ugh that Rangers lineup is spectacular. Detroit had a very solid 1-5, Texas can field a dangerous 1-9 lineup where every batter is a threat. I'd consider us lucky if we could grab one out of the three.

What a game! That is a huge series win against a team that is in the Wild Card chase. That Tigers team has as good a lineup as any in the majors and we took two out of three facing their two best starters. Every time that lineup flips it gives me chills. Their 1-4 is always a threat for a big inning. It seems like we say this every week, but there is a huge stretch coming up that could possibly decide our season: @ the Rangers, Jays, White Sox, @ the Yankees. We're ready for it!

We have a good chance for the series win this afternoon with Chen pitching. We have to snatch it!

As long as the Steelers have Ben I am not counting them out as an elite team. Heck Ben went out there with a torn up ankle and nearly beat the Niners on prime time. The Steelers will definitely be in the mix for the division.

I cannot wait to see D Thompson play. The guy has a lot of Mike Wallace in him.

J. Smith has a very long, limby build. While he did work really hard this past offseason to get into shape (he lost 10 pounds), his build is bound to come across minor injuries like twisted ankles and muscle strains. As long as it is nothing serious, I am sure he'll be fine.

A good football and baseball team?? I could never imagine! Expanding on this, Rob Long said on the radio yesterday that if the O's went to the playoffs he would go to every home game in Baltimore. He mentioned as a kid he had a chance to go to the games one and two of the '83 WS but did not. He figured with as good as the team was, he would have many chacnes to go to playoff and World Series games. We know the rest. Kind of sad, but it made me think what happened to the O's the rest of the 80s? Didn't get much better from there. Poor Cal. Won the WS in 1983 his rookie season, then did not return to the playoffs until 14 years later in 1997.

I think it was the fourth inning? Terrible inning. Manny gets on with a well hit double and I think Q walked afterwards. Markakis gives a pathetic bunt attempt that ends up in a DP with Manny out at 3B and Kakis out at first. Then Hardy singles the next AB on a hard hit ball to right field and Hale sends Q home and he gets thrown out by a mile. We really could have put the Sox away that inning... Oh well, that's baseball! We go again tonight! We have a really tought stretch coming up with seires against Detroit, Texas, and Toronto. All teams that give us trouble traditionally...

I'm not even looking forward to Ravens season with how well the O's are doing! #playoffs

I took a sociology class in college where the professor thought the whole war on drugs is a government conspiracy. He made some good points.

He'll have his prediction ready in February... haha jk!

The O's already have Roberts long-term replacement. Jonathan Schoop is the same age as Machado and is currently in Bowie. Schoop and Machado are good friends and have came up through the minors together at 2B-SS, good chemistry there. Schoop is a little more raw than Machado but Schoop is projected to have plus to plus-plus power. He has the upside as a Jeff Kent-type 2B. Schoop will probably play in the Arizona league this summer then be in Baltimore sometime in 2013.

My little brother goes to college in Kentucky (Lexington) and he says Rainer is the real deal (Rainer went to Western Kentucky). He said Rainer doesn't have much national exposure but out there they really like him and Rainer was Western Kentucky's whole offense. He's just one of those do-it-all type football players.

I'm sure he could learn but his bat would be very unsuited for a first baseman's production. Heck though I like the idea. if he could play above average defense at first while posting an OBP of .360+ (his career minor league average is .385 and it's currently .399 in AAA) that's leagues better than what we currently have. As for B-Rob, I say give him one more year before Schoop is ready to take over. Schoop is a guy I'm really excited about! Not as polished as Machado so he is going to take some more time, but Schoop has great power potential!

I was a big proponent of promoting LJ Hoes to play second but apparently the guy just cannot play the position (scouting reports say he lacks the lateral movement). It is a shame too because his bat would have profiled really well too. Hoes is a good athlete with a high baseball IQ, but with a below average arm he is stuck playing LF. I LOVE Hoes' bat though... Q has been a nice surprise. It is probably unrealistic to expect him to continue hitting like he is, but I think it's safe to say he's at least better than what Luis Hernandez gave us a few years back. Q is a rock solid defender at 2B though.

Machado homers!!!!

Thanks for the summary papa, I didn't get to watch most of the game. Exciting stuff about Thompson.

I do not think Cary Williams leaving in FA is as imminent as everyone thinks. Ozzie loves the guy, I think he is a strong re-sign candidate. If someone offered us a second round pick, I would have to strongly consider it. Remember, Cary had only a second round tender. We could have placed a first on him but we did not. It was almost if we were baiting someone to sign him to a big offer sheet. No bites, no way anyone gives up a first for him.

Note about Benson: He was recently on the Afternoon Blitz with Adam Schein on Sirius XM NFL Radio. Benson admitted himself there is NO interest by any team. He said the Jets showed a little interest after the draft but nothing since. Benson actually broke down close to tears about it. Additionally Benson said he would NOT accept the vet minimum. Adam Schein told Benson he was crazy right to his face. Benson is a head case.

Man I am PUMPED about Machado being promoted!!! Lets sweep KC!

Rookie year. I love how the Red have built their team. Solid all around making smart trades to continue to build. I am tired of the big market teams winning every year. The Reds would be a team I'd root for in the playoffs (assuming the O's do not make it of course). The NL is pretty wide open, you have to like your chances at making the WS. I just think in the end, the Angels and Rangers are too good and one of those teams will win it all from the AL.