Baltimore Orioles Opener: What Pitching Problems?

Apr 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman (30) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

On the opening day of the season, the Baltimore Orioles flipped the narrative that they have all power but no effective pitching.

At the end of a long day featuring two rain delays, the O’s prevailed over the Twins with a walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth inning on a Matt Wieters single.

Yes, it is only one game, but the Baltimore Orioles did not display any significant pitching difficulties. Starter Chris Tillman did indeed look the best he has ever looked. Any of you reading this who were maybe stuck at work and did not see his two innings before the rain delay, but have heard multiple sources use the grandiose “best ever” terminology, it is in fact completely true. His velocity was high — in the mid 90s. There was some late fastball movement, though that is not his game. But the velocity consistently on the corners can have the same effect. And Tillman’s breaking stuff was crisp and tight. Striking out five of six batters, it was totally nasty stuff.

Tyler Wilson was solid in his three innings. He’s a true pitcher and can handle a jam without cracking. Of 39 pitches in three scoreless innings, 27 were strikes.

The bullpen was typically effective, with the one criticism being that Mychal Givens was brought out for a second inning, thereby giving up the two Twins runs. Though he will need to be called upon for multiple innings during the season, it was probably not Buck’s best call to bring him back on a damp opening day … with an open day on the schedule following.

All totaled, the O’s pitchers gave up just seven hits and NO walks. Gotta love that, also striking out 10.

On the other side, the Orioles also struck out 10 times. However, they picked up five walks along with their 10 base hits, including four singles by Mark Trumbo. He hits the ball so hard that he just drives grounders through the infield.

The narrative about the 2016 Birds is that they are going to live and die by the home run. Well, they are still looking for the first of the season. However, in summer weather, three balls would have gone out of the park: an early fly by J.J. Hardy, the two-RBI double by Adam Jones, and a Chris Davis blast to the wall in straightaway center field. There will be home runs.

Whereas 10 hits and five walks would seem to portend more than merely three runs scored, the Orioles actually were 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position. That’s a keeper RISP average.

Yesterday we wrote about batting orders, noting how Showalter put Rickard at the bottom to launch his new career. That turns out to be brilliant, also illustrating the “second leadoff hitter” strategy of a high OBP player in the ninth hole. Rickard led off the fifth inning with a double, went to third on a Manny Machado single, and both scored on the Jones double to right-center.

So the Orioles are unbeaten on the season. But so too are the Jays, having beaten the Rays for the second time in two days. But it pays to remember there is a ways to go.

The win is the sixth consecutive opening day victory for the Orioles, and they have won 13 of past 16. Now the O’s just need to win another 95+ games.

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