Yard Work: Episode 11

Happy Friday, Orioles fans. Welcome to this week's edition of Yard Work. On this episode....

It seems like the Orioles have done a total flip flop since the start of the season. For the first few months, the O's dealt with inconsistent starting pitching. Each night was a gamble in terms of the starter and there were a few nights were a great offensive output wasn't enough to mask struggles on the mound.

Over the past few months, however, the starting pitching has settled in, with starters Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy giving the Birds a solid trio at the top of the rotation. Yet while the pitching seemed to straighten out, the O's offense began to take on the same inconsistencies that plagued the starting staff earlier in the year. Still, as the Orioles work through a lengthy homestand, they find themselves in the thick of a three-team race for the American League East crown. Where do their postseason chances lie? Steve Melewski and I will discuss.

In injury news, fans got a bit of a scare when Tillman was scratched from his start Wednesday against the Red Sox. He said from the get-go that it wasn't anything too serious and he didn't expect to be out for any extended period of time. Sure enough, manager Buck Showaler announced Tillman would start Saturday's game against the Astros. It's good news for O's fans and good news for those hoping to see the O's ace try to reach the 20-win mark, a feat not accomplished by any Orioles pitcher since Mike Boddicker in 1984. Does Tillman still have a chance at 20 wins?

Meanwhile, Joey Rickard and Darren O'Day continue to work back from injuries. Progress for each guy is slow, but trending in the right direction. O'Day will certainly be a key piece in the bullpen, while Rickard will aim to get back in the O's outfield, which is becoming increasingly difficult as Hyun Soo Kim continues to impress. Is it time for Kim to be the everyday left fielder? It's all this and more on this week's edition of Yard Work. Enjoy!

Note: The Yard Work podcast will be recorded each week; therefore, all Orioles records and statistics will be current at time of recording, but may be different when podcast is downloaded. Please don't hold that against us!