Buck Showalter continues to make the tough decisions. Jason Hammel was named the Orioles Opening Day starter earlier this week and on Tuesday Showalter announced that Chris Tillman will pitch the O’s fifth game against the Twins on April 6.
The O’s beat writers are all expecting Jake Arrieta to win the fourth spot in the rotation, which is notable because that’s the O’s home opener. Assuming Arrieta gets the nod, it would be his third consecutive season pitching in the first game at Camden Yards.
He earned the win against Minnesota last season with a 7 inning performance in which he allowed just two hits. After a great spring, the O’s are hoping he’ll repeat that effort against the same opponent.
Guy’s got a live arm. Hope he can pull it all together this year.
Yeah, I’ve always liked him, but I hope he’s put whatever he had going on his his head behind him and finally give us some consistency to go with his stuff.
Jake has to learn to trust his defense and quit nibbling. Better to get beat throwing your best stuff than beat yourself by being too fine. I think with the surplus of available arms, he gets a month worth of starts to prove he belongs. Fifteen against the east in April, time to step up quickly.
I remember the advice given to Alex Wilson…throw the cutter more, go after the hitter, don’t fool around. That advice sounds good!