We knew this was coming. Brian Matusz had not been pitching well. He had lost his previous 5 starts, and had only gone past the 5th inning once. Sending him to AAA Norfolk was the right thing. It just all seemed a bit ironic that in a week where all the starters were dismal, he outshined (yes, I am using that term loosely) 3 of them this week with his 4 inning, 5 run gem.
Tell me this, why couldn’t the O’s have dropped Matusz one week earlier. We would have had the pleasure of seeing Jamie Moyer pitch today. Instead, we saw the inevitable.
Steve Johnson was called up to help the relief corps this week after they had been taxed all week. If the O’s need another starter, Johnson will likely be optioned back to Norfolk, and Chris Tillman or Zach Britton will get the call-up. I’m hoping for Tillman who has shown dominance at times this season, where Britton may not be back completely after his injury.
I have been a backer of Matusz for quite a while and even this year with the issues, i still supported him. BUT, with every outing, you can measure the grip the Orioles seem to be losing in the East. He’s shown nothing more than a 5th starter at best and sending him down is a positive for me, even with his fragile ego.
I hope he gets some work in and comes back in a positive frame of mind. Buck looks to be giving these guys an ultimatum .. “put the numbers up or we’ll find someone else to do it.”
Hey Dude,,,,,,,,that’s the way Buck has always worked , his system is good for turning a team around but once it turns the corner it does not breed continuity which ultimately hurts the very team he has just helped,,,,,,,,,,,,I hope 9inchnails can understand this,,,,,,,,you know I think he is really a pretty smart guy , he just like to brag a bit,,,,,,,,,,,
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