Bye Bye Birdies?

I am going to do something that I never in my weirdest nightmare dreamed I would do. I am going to use the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" as the foundation for a blog post. I am doing this of my own free will and choice, fully cognizant of the possible ramifications for myself. You may all commence teasing me when you see fit.

"-It won't last!
-Not at all!
-He's too thin!
-She's too tall!"

The Orioles are 6-2. Regardless of today's outcome against the Rangers, the Birds have won their first 3 series of the year. From a wins and losses perspective, the young season is exceeding expectations in a big way. The Orioles have a nice perch atop the talent-laden AL East.

Theres 1 serious problem: The Orioles cannot possibly continue to win games at this clip if salient trends from their first 8 games continue.

Baltimore has run up its 6-2 record despite surrendering 50 runs in those 8 games. Thats more than 6 runs allowed per contest. A run every inning and a half. That simply will not do. no offense, not the 1927 Yankees or the 1995 Indians and not the 2009 Orioles can be expected to pound out more than 6 runs a game to keep the team afloat. A tip of the cap to Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, and nick Markakis for absolutely murdering the ball through the first week and a half of the season.

The modus operandi of the 09 Orioles has been to jump out to a sizable lead and then hold on for dear life as the games final outs are recorded. Each night, one or more members of the bullpen have felt it their duty to turn a blowout into a hotly contested struggle. Geroge Sherrill has been particularly good at raising Birdland's blood pressure through 8 games. But, Chris Ray, Danys Baez, Jamie Walker, Dennis Sarfate, and Jim Johnson have each had a "make things far more interesting than necessary" moments.

(That being said, credit where credit is due, Sarfate was fantastic in emergency long relief in last night's 7-5 win. Called upon to pitch in the top of the 2nd, Sarfate dazzled for 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Exactly what the doctor ordered for the team.)

The high-wire acts of the starters and relievers could have resulted in disaster several times this year if not for some find glove work by a number of oriole regulars. Nick Markakis saved Monday night's game with a great running catch in right-center. Brian Roberts has made some spectacular plays around second base. Gregg Zaun discovered last night that throwing out base stealers is cool. And already, the outfielders (and their cutoff men) have gunned down a handful of runners on the basepaths. Improved defense is a nice surprise in 2009 for the Birds but, defensive gems cannot be the only thing standing between the Orioles pitchers and Three Mile Island style meltdowns.

Until the pitching starts allowing fewer runs (try about 2 less per contest) the Orioles won't be able to stay in first place "for good!"


Random Observation of the Week:

After JP Howell whiffed Nick Swisher on a 3-2 offspeed pitch today, A Nelson Muntz (the bully from the Simpsons) "Ha Ha" played over the Tropicana Field PA system. Thats excellent work by the Rays' stadium staff.