AL East Round Up- “As Pitching Goes” Edition

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Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Orioles

The fact that the Orioles are not in last place is sort of odd. If anything, it points to bigger problems with the Sox, but more on that later. Their starting pitching has been, um…well. Not really good. Ubaldo Jimenez has yet to win (enter Jays fan giggle here), Wei-Yin Chen pitched well enough to lose on Tuesday, but the bats bailed him out. Miguel Gonzalez chipped in a reasonable (3 ER) 6 inning start only to have the bats win in the ninth. Chris Tillman may be the only bright spot in the rotation. He went 8 1/3 innings against the tigers on Sunday and only gave up 1 earned run. On Friday he went 8 innings giving up 2 runs (0 earned) ans striking out 6. Maybe Tillman is rubbing off because Bud Norris put in a solid effort and baffled the Blue Jays on Saturday. Since offense is supposed to be the calling card of this O’s team and the pitching (outside of Tillman) has not been great, it may be a long year for Orioles fans.

NOTES:

-Kevin Dunleavy tells us at MLB.com that Manny Machado has been cleared to fun full out. That would be a huge boost to this Orioles lineup if he can get back soon.

-In the same piece, Dunleavy tells us that Johan Santana threw 33 pitches in two innings of  a simulated game. So far, this attempt at a comeback is going well for Santana. Celebratory butt pat for not giving up!