Price's Second Start and more

Due to Fox's ridiculous blackout bullshit policy I was unable to actually watch Price, but I followed his start closely on MLB Gameday pitch tracker as well as the radio broadcast. Eleven strikeouts in 5.2 innings and is in line for the win as he gave up one run to the Rays four. This is the type of start I was expecting out of Price at home against the Twins, but it would be nice for price to go a little deeper into the game. Granted your pitch count is higher than normal if you strike out eleven, but he still faced a lot of 3-2 counts and fouled off pitches on two strike counts. My basic view of him from the first start I saw looks to be accurate, that when he is spotting his fastball he is nigh unhittable. It is clear why he was the number one pitching prospect before getting called up, he is a monster.

Speaking of number one prospects, Wieters had his first major league game yesterday and looked OK at the plate but didn't get any hits. He, and my other two Orioles, face Verlander tonight which should be a good test as he has been lights out the last few starts. It is a good feeling to have both Wieters and Price active finally and not have to worry about when they would get the call.

Owning David Ortiz is getting harder and harder by the day. I've been watching his at-bats when I can and lately he has been hitting a lot of line drives...into defender's gloves, but it appears he is getting a little unlucky at times. He nearly had a grand slam on Friday against the Jays in the first inning but only reached the warning track and went on to go 0-4 yet again. He is 2 for his last 31 which is pretty astounding. Not only is he not hitting homers, he isn't hitting anything. Because my staff is so strong right now I can get by winning the pitching cats and winning a few hitting cats and still cruise to the playoffs, but if I want to win the league I will need Ortiz to heat up or I will be inclined to trade for a solid bat to replace him. I can still wait on him for a while longer though, but until the Sox completely give up on him, he has already been dropped to the 6th spot, I will stay with him as well.