Well then. That certainly takes a bit of air out of the sails. The Yankees clobbered the O's today, 13-3. Joba Chamberlain looked very good for the Yankees, and the Orioles bullpen was atrocious.
- Dennis Sarfate, in my opinion, didn't look that bad as a starter. The 3 walks killed him, but 5 strikeouts helped. His stuff looked nasty, but he has trouble controlling it. I think his future is in the bullpen, where he has been all year, but I think he earned another shot at starting. The trouble in the first stemmed from 2 walks (clearly some early nerves, as Sarfate grew up in New York), a throwing error on Nick Markakis, and a passed ball by Guillermo Quiroz. He really should have only given up one run in the first. Again, I'd look for Sarfate to get another start.
- Everyone else who pitched today was really bad. Brian Burres got knocked around, and I just don't think he is a majro league pitcher. He doesn't really get lefties out effectively, and if anything he is a mop-up guy. Fernando Cabrera has good stuff and I think can be a decent bullpen arm, but he got hit hard today. Alberto Castillo is simply AAA fodder who was up here because Jamie Walker and Adam Loewen were hurt. The next time anybody gets called up, Castillo should be gone.
The trade deadline is looming tomorrow, and all recent signs have shown that MacPhail may not make a move. I'm sure lots of rumors will be heard about the following in the next 20+ hours: George Sherrill, Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker, Ramon Hernandez, Jay Payton, Kevin Millar, Aubrey Huff and maybe even Brian Roberts.
My guess would be that Bradford gets moved, but nothing else happens. MacPhail is asking the world for Sherrill, and I'm not sure a team will be desperate enough to make that move.
Keywords: Baltimore Orioles
