Game Preview: Baltimore Orioles (40-34) vs. Cleveland Indians (33-40)

In the final game of the three set against the Cleveland Indians, the surging O's look to pick up the sweep at home while building upon their three game winning streak (have won 17 of last 22). The Indians hope to perceiver against a offensively tenacious Orioles squad to avoid the sweep while simultaneous trying to climb out of the deep hole in their Al Central division (The Indians are 11 games back of the first place Kansas City Royals).

What O's need to do to win:

Attack early and often. Although the Orioles have never faced 30-year major league rookie Toru Murata, they need to startle this pitcher early to have a chance to chase him in the opening innings. Luckily, the Orioles specialize at grinding down pitchers as they can force the opposition to make a great pitch in order to get a well deserved out.

What Indians need to do to win:

Similarly, the Indians will have to attack Tillman from the opening pitch if they hope to score some runs. Tillman has proven to be inept as a starting pitcher and can give up runs in a hurry if he loses his rhythm. If the Indians fail to score within the first third in the game, their chances at stealing a win on the road will drop dramatically as Tillman tends to settle in as the game wears on.

Final Verdict.

While this game may not be as defensive minded as the previous one, it will undoubtedly showcase the capabilities of an Orioles offense that has deflated the morale of several ball clubs throughout the month of June. Although the Indians have a relatively decent chance at avoiding the sweep, their decision to introduce a major league rookie will ultimately be their undoing. Final Score: O's 8 Indians 6  

Rapid Reaction: O's 4 Indians 0

In the first game of their double header, the Orioles displayed their dominant versatility in terms of pitching and hitting. Ubaldo Jimenez (W 7-3, 8 IP, 4 H, 7 K) easily pitched his best game of the year against a woeful Indians team that has lost six out of their last ten games. Offensively, the O's didn't score a multitude of runs, but they had big home run hits from Jimmy Paredes who hit a two run shit in the third (ninth homer of the year) and a clutch solo shot from the red hot Manny Machado (15th homer of the year).

What I liked:
Ubaldo seems to reaffirm that this is his year with every start he makes. While he may not be an ace (yet), he has clearly come into his own as a low strike zone assassin who can now throw strikes seemingly on command. Manny Machado continues to be a monster at the plate, and Jimmy Paredes continues to inflate his hitting and on base percentage with one well timed hit after another.

What I didn't like:
Bauer appeared to start off strong with two strong innings, especially during the second inning where he struck out the side. Although Bauer only gave up four runs through seven innings, it was four too many for a team that has struggled to manufacture runs this year. Worse still, Cleveland catcher Yan Gomes struggled to corral several wild albeit manageable pitches. It gave the O's easy scoring opportunities and ultimately shifted the momentum towards a Baltimore offense that has been relentless at the plate.

MVP: Ubaldo Jimenez, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles

LVP: Yan Gomes, Catcher, Cleveland Indians

Baltimore Orioles (39-34) vs. Cleveland Indians (33-39) Preview (Game #2)

Although a rain drenched Camden Yards was unable to accommodate a pivotal game 2 between the Indians and Orioles last night, it actually was a blessing in disguise. While Chris Tillman was supposed to take the mound yesterday, it was hard to imagine that his luck of garnering favorable run support would last much longer. For the Indians, they undoubtedly had some trepidations of their own as they were planning on starting rookie Cody Anderson. Since then, this game two matchup has taken on a completely different look with two efficient starting pitchers in the O's Ubaldo Jimenez (6-3, 3.40 ERA) and the Indians Trevor Bauer (6-4, 3.86 ERA). Given that yesterdays matchup had all the fixings of an offensive drag race, today is a prime example of a game that could be predicated on well executed pitching and timely defensive plays.

What O's need to do to win:

Today, the O's will need to find some consistency in their pitching if they hope to win the first game of the double header. Luckily, Ubaldo has provided that in spades as he has held the opposition to three earned runs in his last three starts. Along with that, the Orioles need to find a way to fluster a starting pitcher that as been all over the place in terms of his last few starts. At his most confident, Bauer is a lights out pitcher that can throw confidently in the strike zone. At his worst, Bauer can struggle with his pitching command which results in a high walk rate(1.33 WHIP). Having center fielder Adam Jones back in the line up could do wonders in helping disrupt this finicky pitcher early on.

What Indians need to do to win: 

For the Indians, they need to force Jimenez to throw legitimate strikes before taking a strong cut at one of his many deceptive pitches. While Jimenez may not have the fastball that he had when he played for Cleveland, he has done an incredible job of developing his breaking and off-speed pitches, particularly when it comes to attacking the bottom of the strike zone. Although the Indians are familiar with Jimenez as a pitcher, they haven't seen the versatile Jimenez that stands before them now. If they hope to get a much needed win on the road, they'll have to be patient at the plate.

Final Verdict:

While this matchup will be an intriguing one from start to finish, the end result will come down to which pitcher breaks first. Although Bauer has the potential to be a great starter, his consistency issues could put him in a rough spot early on. Combine that with an Orioles offense that has flourished on a regular basis (along with the return of their productive leader Adam Jones) and you have the makings of a game that will start competitive early but could boil down to one big hit down the stretch. Final Score: Indians 4 Orioles 6

Game Preview: Baltimore Orioles vs. Cleveland Indians (Game #2)

While it may be farfetched to suggest that the Baltimore Orioles are destined for their 3rd playoff berth in four seasons, this smash mouth offense has proven that it can overcome even the most intimidating run deficits. Although the starting pitching has had it's moments of brilliance and unspeakable melt downs, the Orioles have provided starting pitcher Chris Tillman with ample run support (season average of 6.47 runs per game).

The Matchup:
Thus far, the Orioles suspect starting rotation has found it's groove when it comes to pitching against the Cleveland Indians (haven't allowed the Indians to score more than 3 runs in four meetings this season). On top of that, The Orioles offense has found ways to score against the Indians in the later innings of the ball game, stifling any confidence the Indians have attempted to create for themselves.

What O's need to do to win:
The O's key to success is to play their style of baseball which is predicated on a high-powered offense that can score at any time. Combine that with a clutch bullpen that is capable of baffling even the most prolific hitters (especially with Zach Britton closing) and you have a team that is designed to be aggressive at the plate and lights out on the mound. While Chris Tillman's 6.22 ERA is definitely a cause for concern, Cleveland's offensive output is decent at best (21st in MLB in runs per game). If Tillman can get into a groove as he did the last time he pitched against the Indians (6.3 IP, 2 ER) the Orioles dynamic offense should take care of the rest.

What Indians need to do to win:
Simple. Be aggressive at the plate against Tillman and hope that rookie pitcher Cody Anderson can quiet a red hot Orioles offense. Although Anderson's first start in the majors was impressive (7.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 SO against Rays), it's hard to predict how a young pitcher will react against a team that loves to play at home. Along with that, this Cleveland offense needs to score runs quickly and consistently if they hope to keep the home team at bay.

Final Verdict:
The Cleveland Indians high risk yet high reward decision to allow a rookie pitcher to take the mound will make for a interesting matchup. Despite the inexperience, it allows the Indians to use deception to their advantage by forcing the Orioles to figure out this new starter on the fly rather than relying on past experiences to help them score early. However, the Orioles line up in recent weeks has proven that they can hit 1-9 effectively given the opportunity. Regardless of the unknown nature of the starting pitcher,it seems safe to say that the Orioles can't be bet against until someone finds the blueprint for slowing down this potent offense. Final Score: Indians 5 O's 8.

Update: Game Postponed due to inclement weather. Double Header to be played tomorrow at 1:35 & 7:05 respectively.

Can The Orioles Bounce Back From Their Inconsistent Woes?

Just when it seemed that the Orioles had found their rhythm, they once again found themselves in several sticky situations thanks to their finicky bullpen.  Before they were demoralized by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Orioles had won four of their last five games thanks largely in part to their dominant offense which continuously found ways to hit big when it mattered most. Unfortunately, what the Orioles needed to win wasn't so much their powerhouse hitters. They needed their formidable bullpen of yesteryear which was responsible for the Orioles one run winners as well as their flawless success in extra innings.  While the Orioles offense has transformed into one of the best in the league, their lackadaisical pitching has become a cause for concern.  Although the Orioles are still 10 games over .500, if they hope to make the post season and beyond, they'll have to figure out how to rework their bullpen to give them maximum efficiency from game to game.

Despite the Orioles recent travesties, they still have a chance to obtain a wild card spot for the second consecutive year.  The Tampa Bay Rays just snapped a 6 game losing streak, making the fight for second place in the AL East more competitive than ever.  However, with that encouraging notion in mind, the Rays will undoubtedly find a way to win again due to their dynamic bullpen which elevated them to a consistent level of success in the first place.  While there is still plenty of baseball left to be played, the Orioles need to treat their current situation like it's the last week of the regular season.  From here on out, every victory counts and every loss simple attributes to the Orioles becoming an underwhelming disappointment.  I'll admit that despite the despondence I currently feel for my beloved Orioles, I still have hope that they can defy the odds and become an under the radar favorite to make a splash in the post season.  Although the Orioles on base percentage leaves something to be desired (.314, 17th in the MLB), their slugging percentage, runs and batting average all fall within the top six in the majors.

It's hard to imagine the Orioles succumbing to their failures when they have so much else going for them.  Between the offensive explosiveness that is Chris Davis' hitting proficiency and a young Manny Machado providing consistent hitting efficiency, the Orioles have an all star cast that is more than capable of surprising the world of baseball.  While my heightened optimism may have something to do with my undying devotion to the Orioles, I simply can't concede that last years Cinderella success was just a fleeting one hit wonder.  Ever since Cal Ripken's departure, the Orioles became the laughing stock of the MLB year in and year out.  Now, the city of Baltimore has been given a reason to hope that their reinvigorated baseball franchise can finally have the last laugh.  If Buck Showalter can continue to utilize the offense effectively while shifting around the bullpen to find a relatively consistent framework for success, the Orioles could be more than capable of making a dominant tail end of the regular season run.  After all, it's not over till it's over.          

Boston Bruins: The Best Offense Is A Stellar Defense

Having an imposing defense is one thing. When your defense displays its prolific capabilities at not only stopping the best offensive team in the league but is simultaneously capable of putting up points as well, you have a team that can’t be underestimated in any scenario.

While the Boston Bruins were adequate at goal scoring and abysmal at making the most of power play opportunities during the regular season, their defense proved to be their saving grace time and time again.  Now, after a decisive game one victory over the immensely talented Pittsburgh Penguins in the conference finals the Bruins have made it clear that they can effectively stifle high-octane scorers such as Sidney Crosby while also making the most of offensive opportunities whenever they have a clear shot at the goal. 

However, the prime example of their superior defensive abilities wasn’t the recent battle against the Penguins; it was the emotionally explosive comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs that displayed the Bruins potential at being an offensive force to be reckoned with.  The spark that ignited this unforeseen attack was none other than the Bruins skilled center Patrice Bergeron.  Even when it seemed that the Bruins had been completely demoralized by the Maple Leafs, Bergeron singlehandedly rejuvenated his team’s confidence that enabled them to erase a three-goal deficit nearly halfway through the third period.  It was Bergeron’s game tying goal with less than a minute in the final period and eventually his game winning score in overtime that allowed this team to harken back to their nostalgic Stanley Cup aptitude. 

Eventually, the rest of the Bruins roster stepped up to do their part in the subsequent series against the New York Rangers. Between Zdeno Chara and Gregory Campbell making critical goals when they were needed most, or even Tuukka Rask with his clutch saves that allowed this tenacious team to stay competitive, the Boston Bruins utilized nearly every facet of their talented repertoire.  Even when the team was down a goal in the third period for the second consecutive time against the New York Rangers in the opening game of the series, they never gave up and always believed that as long as there was time left on the clock that they still had a fighting chance at making the impossible a reality.  And they did.

Not even the dominant offensive attack of the Penguins could deter the Bruins from implementing their own innovative schemes.  The Bruins didn’t let the heat of the moment intimidate them to the point where their roster became mentally debilitated because of the immense pressure that was on them.  Instead, the Bruins thrived on a foreign ice rink with die-hard fans uttering hometown cheers for a team that had earned the right at being considered a favorite to the win the Stanly Cup.  The Bruins came out with a massive chip on their shoulder and played valiantly to prove to the world that they deserved the limelight and could silence a united home crowd just as well as anybody. And they did.

Even though the Bruins have only won a single game in what appears to be a highly competitive series in the anticipated days to come, the Bruins came out firing on all cylinders and right out of the gate put the pressure on the favored team to earn their chance at a highly coveted spot to compete for the Stanly Cup.  If Pittsburgh wants to hoist the massively desired trophy above their heads in the presence of their devoted fans, they’ll have to get through the stubborn, never say die Bruins who won’t give up without a fight for the ages where only one team will come out alive and battle hardened for the ultimate playoff series that they seek to reach.

While Boston still has to keep up this exhilarating style of play while remaining disciplined at all times, they have unquestionably displayed a desire to not only win, but to dominate any opponent that attempts to prevent them from obtaining the Stanley Cup.  The road ahead is still perilous and they have an arduous opponent in front them in the Pittsburgh Penguins, but if any team can overcome this type of insurmountable adversity it’s the Boston Bruins.

Titus Young: A Broken Man

When it comes down to it there are some people that can be saved from their plights.  While the old adage “everyone deserves a second chance” has been used time and time again to relieve the guilty of any remorse from their past transgressions, it can also be a sentiment that can effectively save a life.  While it’s impossible to save and relieve every individual of their internal malice, this shouldn’t insinuate that people who are lost and afraid to face themselves should be neglected as just another lost cause.

Enter Titus Young; A once highly touted second round draft pick who had the potential to be a dominant offensive player for a team that desperately needed a spark to revamp a debilitated franchise.  From the time of his inauguration into the NFL, Young appeared to be the dynamic edge the Detroit Lions needed at the wide receiver position.  Coupled with the innately gifted Calvin Johnson, Young was an essential component to the Lions rejuvenated offense as he caught six touchdowns for 607 yards.  As a result, the dominant offense of the Lions was valiantly able to lead their organization to an impressive 10-6 record and a highly coveted playoff berth for the first time since 1999.  Despite losing in the first round to the New Orleans Saints, the Detroit Lions and Titus Young appeared to be a match made in heaven.

Unfortunately, the prospect that could have been mentally imploded and regressed into a sad and self destructive man who seemed to thrive off of instigating conflicts, particularly within his own team.  During the offseason, Young allegedly punched safety Louis Delmas during one of the team’s offseason workouts.  While the altercation resulted in Young being banned from the team’s voluntary workouts, he eventually exhibited remorse for his violent outburst.  “I felt personally it was important for me to get it off my chest and get the burden off my heart,” he said.  “Just seeing the guys just coming back and kind of feeling uneasy.  Just kind of feeling that it’s not quite right, praying and feeling in my spirit.”

While Young acknowledged his mistake publically, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz essentially declined to comment on the matter altogether. “This is the voluntary part of our offseason program,” he said.  There is no need to comment. It sort of entails that it is not voluntary.”

Looking back on this moment, nearly one year later, it’s easy to pose a number of inquiries about how the situation was empathically brushed under the rug.  If the Lions organization had acknowledged Young’s initial out lash, would it have prevented the young athlete from committing the various legally troubling disputes that were to eventually follow?  If teammates or close family members had spoken out sooner, specifically about how uncomfortable they were with the incident and his presence thereafter, could Young have avoided a life that was driven by confrontation with the law time and time again?  Whether the answers to these questions would have been helpful to Young’s overall well-being is now sadly irrelevant.  What it comes down to now is that Young has already taken a tumultuous tumble down the rabbit hole. At this point, only one question becomes important to answer sooner rather than later; Is Titus Young worth saving from himself?

Brandon Marshall, a receiver for the Chicago Bears once dealt with similar issues that came as the result of him being undiagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder).  Before being diagnosed and treated properly, Marshall has involved in several legal disputes mainly involving a variety of domestic disturbances.  However, once Marshall was properly diagnosed and received treatment for the disorder, he not only stayed out of trouble he also became an advocate for treatment as well.

After hearing about Young’s transgressions, Marshall confessed that he wished he could have talked with the troubled athlete sooner.  “…I wanted to get my hands on Titus, just sit down with him and possibly walk him into the doors of the same program I was in,” he said.  But I think there were some things in the way that kept us both from moving forward.  And I’m disappointed in that because, since then, it’s just gotten worse and one of the things I stress was without the proper treatment, it’s just going to make things worse.”

With this notion in mind, it becomes abundantly clear that Young is in desperate need of help and without the right people and proper treatment program to save him he could not only cause irreparable damage to his career as a professional football player, he could also destroy the relationships he has left with the people who still love him.

Young’s father, Richard Young, is desperately concerned for his sons mental well being and has personal accounts that warrant an intervention for this distraught athlete who is on the brink of losing what control he has left of his life.

“When he’s around us, his mind comes and goes,” he said.  “He can’t really defend himself, and I don’t want y’all thinking he’s a bad person.”