Bring On The Second Half

So I took the week off from blogging. After all, bloggers need an All-Star Break too. Given the Orioles only had one star and he was involved in a play that nearly cost the AL the game in the 9th, it wasn't a big week for the Orioles. I will say that the last series that the Orioles played against the Rangers featured three interesting things: the re-disappearance of the Oriole offense, a spirited comeback against Eric Gagne (you just don't see that often), and possibly the best pitching performance I have ever seen by an Oriole.

Erik Bedard was absolutely unbelievable. As someone described it, he pitched a two-hit perfect game. He let up a single to the second batter of the game, then retire 24 of 25--15 on strikeouts. That's the sort of thing that happens in Little League or High School, not the major leagues. It is amazing how far he has come since his rookie season. I don't know if it's Mazzone, the comfort of being the team's ace, or just plain understanding the importance of getting ahead in the count, but I don't know another starting pitcher I'd take over him right now (well, let's just say the list is VERY short). There's a lot of talk about signing him to a long-term deal. He still has two years under the O's control, but it's probably not a bad idea. When you see the $$ given to Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito, it's insane what a Bedard would command on the open market if he continues this. Let's do what we did with Moose the first time (three-year deal signed well ahead of free agency) as opposed to the second time (ignore the home team discount until it is too late and then watch him go to the Yankees--not that Bedard could survive the NY or Boston press).

Meanwhile, I don't know why the Orioles couldn't hit the Rangers better than they did. Admittedly, Kam Loe has been pitching much better. But c'mon--Kevin Millwood? D-Cab wasn't sharp, but was gutty and that's a good sign. That said, the game-winning hit was a HR by Kenny Lofton. Kenny Lofton?!? The guy is like 40 and couldn't hit for power in his 20s. That's what happens when you fall behind 2-0 instead of getting ahead 0-2. There are some days I think Cabrera is so close and others where I think he could be bait for the big bat (Texiera, anyone?). Of course, that's how the Expos gave up on Randy Johnson. He was bait for the big arm (Mark Langston) and ended up being arguably the greatest lefty of all-time.

So, here we are at the break. Injuries have been frustrating--no more so that the ones to Loewen and Tejada. That said, we all wish Baez had gotten injured sooner so that we wouldn't have to have endured that painful May and June he put together. The failure of Baez and Jay Gibbons are, in my opinion, worth at least 5-10 games this year. At least. Two players who are paid handsomely and have performed in the past, but have failed miserably and their failure has put pressure on others which has made their team worse. And where someone like Corey Patterson still provides defense when he slumping, there's been little value at all for Baez & Gibbons. With that said, I don't think all is lost. I do think redemption is possible for the duo. After all, it couldn't get any worse, could it? I think the balance of the season hangs on a few key scenarios:

• The return of Gibbons & Baez (and let's throw in Ramon & Huff) to legitimate form. Heck, career averages would be fine. At least two, more likely three, and ideally all four can do this.
• Jeremy Guthrie proves he is no flash in the pan. He and Bedard make a scary 1-2 punch. Just ask the Yankees.
• The speedy return of an energized Tejada. They need his bat in the lineup, if only to scare the opposition. And when I say his bat, I don't mean the Polanco edition. I mean Tejada vintage 2002-2004.
  

Obviously, there are other things I'd like to see, like D-Cab gaining consistency, Burres' continued evolution, a second half where Garrett Olson never leaves the majors, and a major 2nd half for Nick Markakis (who has had great second halves in his pro career). But all of those are hopes and everything above are things I think are fair to expect to happen. Will they? I don't know. But they could make the difference between .500 and this blog being called the "Fifth-place Birds". Let the second half begin.