Orioles update...

Well, we dropped 2 of 3 to the Colorado Rockies...I'm not going to sit here and point out all of the Orioles recent shortcomings, because it would be redundant. What has been particularly vital to our lack of success rests in the offense (or lack there of). Our starting pitching is fantastic! Man, it feels good to say that...I didn't think I'd ever say that again, at least for a few years. But, for once, the starting pitching is not to blame. In fact, our pitchers have kept us in the game recently, and they are the sole reason why we only sit five games below .500.

Last week we drafted Matt Weiters, the catcher out of Georgia Tech. This is refreshing on two fronts. First, Weiters was the best player in this years draft and he was a STEAL at #5. Second, maybe Angelos has finally ended his boycott of signing players who are represented by Scott Boras. For those who don't know, Boras is like the Drew Rosenhaus of professional baseball. Which means, by and large, he represents most of the highest paid players in baseball...Alex Rodriguez, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Barry Bonds, Carlos Lee, Andruw Jones, Barry Zito, J.D. Drew, Ivan Rodriguez, Mark Teixiera (cough cough)...

Obviously, Boras has represented some serious major league talent. But, for the most part, Angelos has directed his puppets to neglect to draft or obtain Boras clients via free agency. This is becuase Scott Boras is the kind of agent, like a Drew Rosenhaus, who demands top dollar for his clients...sometimes teams overpay (see David Newhan). Regardless, he does land the top prospects, and usually the elite players in the league. Hopefully, these interactions with Boras will lead to a Teixiera trade, or at least more business with him in the future. Pete, you've gotta spend money to make money...

Melvin Mora asked Sam Perlozzo for a night off yesterday. He's catching some flak for this, but I say good for him. He's in a slump (as are most of the O's bats), and if personal or professional reasons are playing a factor, then do what you've gotta do...he's gotta try SOMETHING. As long as he comes off of this short sabbatical with an oar for a bat, then he's doing the right thing. If he bats .190 over the next two weeks, that's another story.

O's have the day off tonight. We start the second installment of the Battle of the Beltways with the Nationals tomorrow. Too bad it doesn't mean anything, because both teams, frankly, suck. But, if the O's can catch a break here or there and get this pathetic offense turned around, we have a solid chance finishing above .500 for the first time in 9 years if our starting pitching holds up.