A second look at second base

The Rays managed to bring the Division Series back to Tropicana Field tonight for Game 5 after falling behind, 0-2, to the Rangers. That's the good news. David Price is 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers, allowing 16 runs and 17 hits, and walking 15, in 19 1/3 innings. That would be the bad news. Cliff Lee has a 2.87 ERA in 13 career starts against the Rays. Yeah, you guessed it. They don't play the games on paper - though they've been known to play them on fake grass - so it's worth a look. Meanwhile, I still don't see anyone beating the Phillies. I'm sticking with my Phillies-Yankees prediction, but I really wanted to experience November baseball in Minnesota. The Arizona Fall League begins today. Continue to breathe normally. Nine players represent the Orioles on the Scottsdale roster: Pitchers Oliver Drake, Pat Egan, Kam Mickolio and Wynn Pelzer; catcher Caleb Joseph; infielders Ryan Adams, Greg Miclat and Tyler Townsend; and outfielder Xavier Avery. I'll refrain from making any Mickolio declarations. Avery and Adams are the players that most intrigue me among that group, though I'm also interested in tracking the progress of Joseph, Miclat and Townsend next year. Pelzer will remain a curiosity because he came to the Orioles in the Miguel Tejada trade. We've discussed how the Orioles again need to find a first baseman and third baseman, and we've debated whether they should pursue a top-of-the-rotation starter. It would be wise to bring in a player who could start at second base if Brian Roberts goes on the shelf again. They were scrambling to obtain a dependable backup late in spring training and settled on Julio Lugo, who is a free agent and a virtual lock to play elsewhere in 2011. Ty Wigginton did an admirable job until replacing Garrett Atkins at first base, but the Orioles could use a player who's more suited for second, just in case. They didn't believe that Robert Andino fit the description last spring, one reason why he was taken off the 40-man roster before returning in September. The Orioles failed too often to turn a double play while rotating players at second, giving opponents an extra out that inevitably came back to bite them. Unless they're somehow convinced that Roberts will stay healthy, they need better insurance. It's not a top priority, but it belongs on the list. Where's Jeff Reboulet when you need him? Actually, Jerry Hairston's out there and he plays a variety of positions, including second base, where he once started for the Orioles. I'm just saying...