Jimenez's struggles leave his spot on a potential playoff roster in doubt
If the Orioles had to set their playoff roster today, should they get there of course, it would be hard for Ubaldo Jimenez to make it.
Right now, he is not one of their five best starters and you probably only need three or four in the playoffs anyway. He could be moved to a long relief role in the bullpen, but at this point, it might be hard for him to even make it in that role.
In October, you must go with your very best and he just has not earned the right to be considered that.
Being around Jimenez during some interviews this year, it's clear he loves being an Oriole and he badly wants to do well. But he just hasn't - at least not with any consistency, although we have seen glimpses of his talent.
The Orioles may be able to afford to give him more starts with such a big division lead. But at the same time, they are trying to maintain momentum while having the chance to finish with the best record in the league and gain additional postseason home-field advantage.
When the rosters can be expanded on Sept. 1, this will not be an issue, they can carry Jimenez. But what about these next couple of weeks?
The team has few problems right now and a lot of has been going well. But this is one trouble spot. It will be interesting to see how the team handles it. Miguel Gonzalez did nothing to warrant being sent to the minors in the first place and it's time to bring him back to the rotation.
He has earned it and Jimenez has not.
Meanwhile, what was I saying about how the fans handled that walk-off loss pretty well? Well, two losses in a row and a poor pitching performance from Jimenez has changed all that.
While the large majority of fans have remained calm and still realize the team is in great position, there were a few on Twitter and here that freaked out. I just don't see the reason for that.
But for one night during what has been a pretty special season to this point for the Orioles and their fans, some gloom and doom was back.
It is just never far away, is it?
In October, you must go with your very best and he just has not earned the right to be considered that.
Being around Jimenez during some interviews this year, it's clear he loves being an Oriole and he badly wants to do well. But he just hasn't - at least not with any consistency, although we have seen glimpses of his talent.
The Orioles may be able to afford to give him more starts with such a big division lead. But at the same time, they are trying to maintain momentum while having the chance to finish with the best record in the league and gain additional postseason home-field advantage.
When the rosters can be expanded on Sept. 1, this will not be an issue, they can carry Jimenez. But what about these next couple of weeks?
The team has few problems right now and a lot of has been going well. But this is one trouble spot. It will be interesting to see how the team handles it. Miguel Gonzalez did nothing to warrant being sent to the minors in the first place and it's time to bring him back to the rotation.
He has earned it and Jimenez has not.
Meanwhile, what was I saying about how the fans handled that walk-off loss pretty well? Well, two losses in a row and a poor pitching performance from Jimenez has changed all that.
While the large majority of fans have remained calm and still realize the team is in great position, there were a few on Twitter and here that freaked out. I just don't see the reason for that.
But for one night during what has been a pretty special season to this point for the Orioles and their fans, some gloom and doom was back.
It is just never far away, is it?
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