I didn't catch the game, but I just looked at the boxscore. Markakis at leadoff... okayyyy... Hardy hitting 3rd...'kayyyy.. I dunno, that lineup looked a little screwy to me. I understand wanting to ease Roberts back in, but what is Hardy doing hitting 3rd?
Manager Buck Showalter says the Orioles want to see if Asencio can provide bullpen help now and after the July 31 trade deadline. Showalter said Friday, "We wanted to get a feel for what we have before the end of the month."
The past couple games, Buck has bumped Jones to 3rd and Davis to 4th. With everyone coming back off the DL at the same time, the lineup is looking screwy to me too. I'd like to see us go back to what has been working so well.
1 - Markakis / McLouth
2 - Manny
3 - McLouth / Markakis
4 - Jones
5 - Crush
6 - Wieters
7 - Hardy
8 - Flaherty
9 - B-Rob
If B-Rob is DH'ing (like he has been the last couple games), I'd like to see Flaherty in the lineup over Casila.
I'd like to point out that Buck moved Jones and Crush back to the 4th and 5th spot respectively yesterday and we saw the results.
I've got respect for Mariano Rivera, but I was kinda tickled to see that in a SportsNation poll, Maryland was the one state that more "no" votes than "yes" votes to the question of "Would you be ok with your stadium playing 'Enter Sandman for him?"
My vote?
49 States Would Like To See Opposing Teams Play "Enter Sandman" For Mariano Rivera, Maryland Wouldn't - Baltimore Sports Report
It's amazing, isn't it? Wasn't that long ago that the O's were 31 - 70 before he came aboard. 31-70! It's painful to remember those days. I'll admit at the time thinking Trembley got an unfair shake.. but in hindsight it was a great move by the front office. That's why I'm not GM.