Series 6 Pack: Baltimore Orioles

The Boston Red Sox welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Fenway Park as they kick off a four game series starting with a doubleheader starting Monday afternoon.

The Red Sox are in a tail spin as of late and have seen their Wild Card lead dwindle to just two games over the red hot Rays.  To say this series is a must win isn’t even worth muttering.  A split will be ok, depending what happens in New York where the Rays and Yankees play four starting on Tuesday.

The Sox control their own destiny at this point.  They have to start winning again.  The bats have to start hitting again.  The pitchers need to get healthy and start dominating again.  Lots of “agains” in this scenario but it’s the way the club used to play that is what fans have come to know and expect.  Missing the postseason isn’t really an option for this club this year so the march to October starts today.

Thanks to Lauren from the Orioles Fansided site, Birds Watcher who was gracious enough to collaborate with the Series 6 Pack.  Caution, she doesn’t sugarcoat her feelings towards the Orioles and Red Sox, so consider yourself warned. 

In this 6 pack we’re talking Buck Showalter’s future in Baltimore and the verge of an epic collapse in Boston just to name a couple subjects.  Enjoy.

1. Buck Showalter came in last year and did a tremendous job for the final few months of the season. This year its another sub .500 season. Is Showalters job in jeopardy or is he the guy to develop this club?

Well, there’s actually a lot of talk of him staying where he is and ALSO being the GM. I hate this idea. I don’t think he’s the answer for the club and he’s been criticized by many to be a micro-manager, getting into everything even if he doesn’t belong. He seemed to be the answer last season and I understand he can’t go very far if the talent isn’t great, but his refusal to change his ways drives me insane. I think Orioles fans think he’s amazing and is going to take us to the World Series when he isn’t really that great.

2. What’s the mood like with O’s fans despite another .500 season?

Terrible. There was even more expectations coming into this season than normal with Showalter, Guerrero, Hardy, Derrek Lee, Kevin Gregg (looking back: haha how awful) and Mark Reynolds. Then we went 6-0 to start the season. No one even watches games at home really, no one really cares. I don’t know how we can when nothing good will come of it. It’s to the point where I feel bad for myself and other Baltimorians for being Orioles fans.

3. With Boston struggling this month and on the verge of an epic collapse, how amped are O’s fans that their club can be a huge spoiler this late in the year?

Probably not very excited. I write guest blogs for the O’s broadcasting website, MASN, and my latest one was actually how I was rooting against them when they played Tampa Bay so that the Rays could steal a wild card from the Red Sox. That’s really how pathetic it is. They also recently spoiled the Angels with a series win and it could happen against the Sox too. I’d love to see that, no doubt.

4. Which veteran players that were brought in during the offseason won’t be back next year and why?

Derrek Lee, obviously, since he’s already in Pittsburgh. J.J. Hardy will be here with his new 3-year contract. Mark Reynolds has another year left on his contract. Guerrero will be gone. He’s old and the O’s love signing has-been veterans thinking they’ll be awesome when they come here. That never works. He’s been awful. And of course, Kevin Gregg. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more pitiful season from a guy who has been known as a pretty good closer. He is absolutely pathetic.

5. Who should Red Sox fans be watching this series as a potential difference maker?

Originally, I would say Hardy and Reynolds. They both have heated up recently and have been the bright spots for the team this year. However, I think fans should really keep their eye on Nolan Reimold. He’s one of my favorites on the team and has an intense amount of power. He can do a lot of damage with the long ball.

6. What’s your prediction on the 4 game series and why?

I’d say they split. Looking at the pitching match-ups, Guthrie vs. Weiland will be pretty good. Matusz vs. Lackey is a joke and shouldn’t even be played, Red Sox will kill Matusz and bring his disgusting 9.84 ERA up even more (yep, you read that right). We don’t know who’s pitching against Bedard yet and my guess is VandenHurk, a guy they called up from the minors this month or Jo-Jo Reyes, who pitched in relief today. Hunter vs. Beckett will probably be a loss so we would need to win the one in which the starting pitcher is TBA. Maybe the Sox will win it 3-1 actually.

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