dc.

Side note - like many, I'm just not feeling it this year either... But still not giving in. A sore stretch after that great run, but far from dead. Trade deadline will be interesting. Plenty of time to get straightened out, plenty of games against some outside division foes ... The Yanks were 4 games up when we started that series, but their run differential was about 30 worse than us. We are missing opportunities... They can be found.

First, I'm no fan of PA by any stretch. By why shouldn't profit be his motives? Second, the O's aren't the only team trending towards a buy small, build at home model. In fact, it's becoming there norm in just about every city except New York, Boston and LA. Big spending, long term contracts... They just don't pan out often enough to be worth it - especially if you're going to be burdened by the latter years. In fact, LA, Boston and NY are all great examples of that the last few years... What if we had signed Davis to a monster deal after his big year? In the moment, the fans would be thrilled. Today, we'd all be even more frustrated with him than we are. The question can't be about the stats alone. It has to be about the cost in comparison to the possible replacement... Andrew Miller is a great example.

My favorite thing about Schoop - his age. 23 I think, just like Manny... Still so far up to go.

Not sure how many have seen this story floating around the last 48 hours - getting some press nationally, in part because of the selfie-stick. But the "hero in orange shorts" - Tommy - is a good family friend. Just about the coolest guy I know and not surprised he was in there to get them. He practically runs a triathlon every day in OC... just to pass the time. http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/oc-blog/bal-ocean-city-riptide-20150710-story.html

Not 100% sure, but teams put affiliates in different areas for many reasons. We used to have the Rochester team for AAA but switched to Norfolk because we wanted our AAA played close enough to come up sane day if needed. So now all our teams are local. Not sure how they decide what league they play in.

Don't you mean where the O?

Longer story... Flaherty down, until Reimold goes on paternity leave soon... Then Flaherty up. Then Reimold back, Flaherty stays, and they will option a SP... Phew.

Pearce has at least played some 2b this year. If you think about it, our roster right now has no true back up for Hardy or Flaherty. If Flaherty went down mid game, Pearce would replace him. If Hardy went down, Flaherty would move over and Pearce would take 2b. And same if Many went down. It's a risky play in any circumstance until Schoop comes back. Bottom line is Young couldn't play those spots, even if Pearce plays then poorly. Two other factors: Young can't play defense even in the OF. And Young if probably better trade bait. Duqueete said he's confident they'll get a trade done in the ten days - even if it's for crap.

By the way ... Crush should have had the home-run that was reviewed. I was at the game, so not sure how it showed on TV, but he was totally LOST in the OF in that moment. Not unlike the previous inning where he managed to nab a ball that he had horribly misplayed... Quick reference check. Parmelee came up as a 1B in Minny but did play a decent amount of RF. But I wonder how much of them trying to move him was because of Justin Mourneau having 1B locked down for them at the time. In early years he played most games at 1B and even in 2011 played more than 100 at 1B to only 30 in RF.

I always thought Parmelee was a natural 1B who the O's converted the some OF in the minors. Crush is a very good defensive 1B - or at least was in years past, I think he's diminished a bit. But he is also a decent OF with an arm. I am not sure of Parmelee's OF prospects, which I assumed were the reason for the choice.

Strike zone was abysmal - Pearce got hired twice. Not excusing the entire game, but just a thought.

18-5 streak to get us there. Pitching on fire. Bats lighting up.

Yeah - that's my biggest concern right now. PC from 2012, just ran AC3 (from 2012) without issue. Can it run AC4 and beyond? Probably not as cleanly... and definitely not forever. Sigh.

I am sure just like with Kindle ebooks, there is some claim about the expense of storing and delivering e-titles. I just don't buy it. I bought Steam titles mainly when they were on sale and convenient. Probably will stay that way. If I had the time to game at ask, maybe I'd get a console and buy some titles... For now, one or two games a year in two week spurts is all I got!

Flahertys bat had actually been very alive the last few weeks, but Schoop will be a lovely righty addition. More excited about the utility flexibility it gives our infield and even DH slot as they don't like Paredes batting right. The question again becomes who goes away? Lough, Pearce, Young... ? Parmelee?

Jays, Rays and Yanks all still playing well... Yanks fading, though, a bit. Still not convinced of Jays pitching, but their bats are unreal. Rays... I think will become the Rays again soon.

Do you play PC or console? I do all on pc and has gotten into to downloads over old CDs. But while stream is still charging $40 for a download of unity, the CD is $12. Sorry, steam. Just a tip top anyone who does games via PC

Just read up on how far behind I am on AC games... I thought black flag was just a build on to AC3, but apparently not... So after Colonial period, there is Black Flag in same period as pirates, Freedom Cry which is an add-on about slave era, Unity in the French Rev (had no idea that one happened), Chronicles which first installment is in China 1200s but later installments coming in Russia and India, and now Syndicate in Victorian England on the way... Given the name Syndicate, is this going to be capitalists/imperialists versus unions and Marxists?

Moving into "steam punk" territory, like thief, it seems. I just meant Achilles as he developed there just didn't do much for me.

I disagree on Connor and the setting, but understand the view. As a history junky,I loved exploring dinner if those areas - though yes, a bit more plain than 15th century Italy. But I really liked Connor as a character - though not all of the story around him. I didn't much care for Achilles, he struck me as an unneeded "mentor." I don't really remember as much mentorship in the earlier games. I wish there was some continuation of this story into the resettlement, though looks like only the epilogue touches on this. I have seen word of the newest game being set in American slave era? I think modern editions could be nicely set in all kinds of environments - Holocaust, Russian Revolution, Apartheid, China's Revolution... I'll probably always be there games behind though.

Sounds similar to AC in terms of sure quests, etc. I usually finish the main game, then go back to the rest... But then I feel like I've missed something! Sounds cool... Next I have a few dollars (and hours) I will investigate.

Almost bought Dragon Age, Cleetz...

I don't mind cut scenes in general, but they can be well done or tedious. I think ACs have always bordered on tedious, especially because they will line up the or four with almost no gameplay. Spen, I agree - I remember #2 having a long ending too but my bet is you're remembering this one which had just a crazy amount of "movie" and then credits to end. Other annoyance on an otherwise fun game: you don't even get to fight/kill the last guy (Lee). You chase him for two minutes, then watch cut scenes after cut scenes ... And then he dies in cut scene! All that game to not even get to be the one to stab him! Lol

Why didn't any of you tell me if have to sit through like an hour of credits- in skip-able - in order to actually finish this game? Biggest complaint with AC games remains: far too many longer than long cut scenes that don't add a lot... And then when they have the nerve to "load" game play, during which you literally walk for two seconds, before re-entering a 10 minute cut scene? Just, run the cut scenes... And then let me play. And cut them all in half.

Up and down. Some guys who can dish and have pitched well recently, but also several who can easily blow up... A few have historically had the O's number, but not sure who we get this weekend