Flying to the Top- A Baltimore Orioles Story

[thepsychotaco]

Intro

With Miguel Cabrera coming off a triple crown season and the Washington Nationals making the playoffs for the first time since the move from Montreal, and a knuckleballer in R.A. Dickey winning the CY Young, it is understandable why the Oriole's 93-69 season record in 2012 didn't get the attention it should've. Also, with Mike Trout and Bryce Harper taking the league by storm it is also why the fantastic seasons that Chris Davis and Adam Jones had did'nt get enough attention in 2012. With the acquisitions of Nate McLouth and Freddy Garcia this offseason the Orioles are yet again preparing to be a contender. The signings of those 2 are not major but will surely play a role in the success of the team in the upcoming season. The call ups of Starting Pitcher Dylan Bundy and Third Baseman Manny Machado have manager Buckshowalter claiming that the Baltimore Orioles are going to "take the league by storm".

(Will play all 162 Games. Will not play Spring Training but will write an update about it)

[thepsychotaco]

Spring Training

During Spring training the Baltimore Orioles went 15-10 with an outstanding Spring from Dylan Bundy who went 4-0 with a 2.05 ERA. Orioles DH Nolan Reimold Fractured his hand 13 games in and has been placed on the 60 Day DL with his spot filled by 2B Alexi Casilla. Orioles GM Hank Zipper made 2 surprising Spring Training signings. One being Starting Pitcher Philip Humber who had been released from the Houston Astros prior to the start of Spring Traing. And the second signing being Closing Pitcher Brian Wilson. During the negotiations with Brian Wilson GM Hank Zipper and Manager Buck Showalter both told Brian that he would make the change from Closing Pitcher to Set Up man for 2012 AL Allstar Closing Pitcher Jim Johnson. According to both Zipper and Showalter;Brian Wilson completely understands his role in the upcoming season and was greatful to be given a chance to prove himself following Tommy John surgery just a year ago. Both Wilson and Humber are expected to be on the Opening Day roster.

[thepsychotaco]

Opening Day Roster

Lineup:
Starting Pitcher: Dylan Bundy #49 (Less than 1 Year removed from Tommy John Surgery)
LF: NatMcLouth #9
2B: Alexi Casilla #12
CF: Adam Jones #10
1B: Chris Davis #19
C: Matt Weiters #32
DH: Danny Valencia #35
RF: Nick Markakis #21
3B: Manny Machado #13
SS: JJ Hardy #2
Bench:
2B: Brian Roberts #1
C: Taylor Teagarden #31
3B: Wilson Betemit #24
Starting Pitchers:
SP1: Dylan Bundy #49
SP2: Miguel Gonzalez #50
SP3: Wei Yin Chen #16
SP4: Philip Humber #59
SP5: Chris Tillman #30
Bullpen:
LRP: Jason Hammel #39
LRP: Zach Britton #53
LRP: Freddy Garcia #49
MRP: Troy Patton #40
MRP: Scott Feldman #34
MRP: Darren O'Day #56
SU: Brian Wilson #38
CP: Jim Johnson #43

[thepsychotaco]

Opening Day vs Tampa

During pregame interviews Orioles' Hitting Coach Jim Presley was asked about his thoughts on the upcoming season. Presley hopped on the question and stated that Dylan Bundy and Matt Weiters would have Allstar seasons. He also guaranteed that Baltimore would win the AL East which had Manager Buck Showalter smiling. The smiling stopped when Presley abruptly guaranteed that the Orioles would win the World Series. Presley had to be dragged away by both Buck Showalter and Pitching Coach Rick Adair, Presley could be faintly heard shouting "We're going all the way".

Dylan Bundy #49 (0-0) vs David Price #14 (0-0)

1st Inning: The game starts off with 4 straight hits which includes a 2 Run Double from Chris Davis. This causes Rays pitching coach to come out and calm down Price. Catcher, Matt Weiters, hits a sac fly to deep center field to drive in 1 run.

5th Inning: Orioles get yet another 2 Run Double this time by way of Adam Jones. Matt Weiters hits another single and send Adam Jones all the way home. David Price gets taken out after pitching 4.1 Innings. Evan Longoria commits an error throwing to second and that allows Weiters to score.

6th Inning:Nick Markakis hits a double to right field. Sac fly to deep left by Machado to move Markakis up to 3rd. Suicide Squeeze by JJ Hardy to drive in Nick Markakis. Nate McLouth hits a 2 out first pitch he sees Solo Home Run.
Bottom 6th: Matt Joyce gets ejected after arguing with the first base umpire over a close call on a play at first base. EJECTED ON OPENING DAY.

7th Inning: Kelly Johnson replaces the ejected Matt Joyce. On an umpire majorly blown call Adam Jones gets credited with a straight steal of home (video coming).

Player of the Game:
Dylan Bundy #49
9.0 Innings Pitched
9 Hits Allowed
6 Strikeouts
0 Base on Balls

Winning Pitcher: Dylan Bundy #49 (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: David Price #14 (0-1)

Orioles had 18 hits and 1 error.
Rays had 9 hits and 2 errors.

[thepsychotaco]

Adam Jones Steal of Home
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