After watching the replay of yesterday's Orioles and Padres game there was much to be impressed by.
First, the score, Orioles 4 Padres 3.
Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish looked good in his second start after returning from his rehab assignment after last year's Tommy John surgery.
The Orioles bullpen did well. Especially Keegan Akin's shut down 9th inning to get the save.
Orioles' rookie, Jeremiah Jackson went 3 for 4 with a solo homerun.
Possibly most impressive (at least to me) was Orioles' rookie, Dylan Beavers. He went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI in yesterday's game. In the top of the seventh inning he drove in the go ahead run. Which turned out to be the game winning run. In the bottom of the seventh Beavers ran down a drive off Manny Machado's bat that would have scored a run to tie the game. "A run saved is a run earned"
Big Sam Basallo was impressive as well. He went 2 for 4 with two doubles and 2 RBI in yesterday's game.
The arrival of Big Sam and his record setting contract extension has overshadowed Dylan Beavers. But Dylan is just as important to the future of the Orioles. I would not be surprised if Beavers beats out big Sam for the 2026 Rookie of the Year award. It would be even better if they finished #1 and #2. Considering both were top 100 prospects that would award the Orioles 3 additional draft picks!
Orioles GM Mike Elias is a genius. It's too bad he couldn't prevent all the injuries that derailed the Birds this year. Only three of the players on the Orioles' opening day roster have not spent time on the Injured List this year. Of course, that doesn't count all those who were injured before the year started. Not to mention the many who were added to the roster and later injured. In all my years of following baseball I have never seen another season like this one. I hope I never see anything like it again! Oh well... "Tough titty makes a strong baby"
The Baby Birds got it done yesterday!
Who will step up today?
Tyler Wells will take the hill for the Birds today. He is making his first MLB start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of 2024.
Go O's!