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Baltimore Orioles: Could Ubaldo Jimenez be the Savior?

By Joe Serpico

Aug 30, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) is congratulated by first baseman Chris Davis (19) after being removed from the game in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) is congratulated by first baseman Chris Davis (19) after being removed from the game in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who could have thought that the Baltimore Orioles postseason dreams might depend on the right arm of Ubaldo Jimenez?

It was a first inning that had many O’s fans saying to themselves, “hear we go again, Ubaldo is about to get shelled.”

So how does he follow it up? With the first complete game the Baltimore Orioles have gotten from a starting pitcher in nearly two seasons, retiring the last 17 batters and not allowing a hit after a three-run first inning.

Jimenez’s performance was the first complete game since Miguel Gonzalez fired one of his own on Sept. 4, 2014. It was almost two years to the calendar day since an Orioles pitcher was able to go nine innings. And while the Tampa Bay Rays did swing at some terrible pitches, Logan Morrison took a shot at the Orioles pitcher’s day on the hill.

Ubaldo Jimenez has taken the opportunity to be back in the rotation with terrific results. He has three quality starts since taking over for Chris Tillman, who is on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.

Quality starts is a stat that usually means little, but Jimenez is keeping the Orioles in games, which was his problem up to this point. If you dig deeper into the stats, he’s been effective for Buck Showalter since July 28, holding teams to .187 batting average and an ERA of 3.38. In his last four starts, his ERA is 2.70

That’s the type of effort the Orioles have needed from Jimenez ever since he signed his $50 million contract in 2014.

Jimenez recent performance has earned him the right to stay in the rotation once Tillman returns. The odd man out will come down to Wade Miley and tonight’s starter, Yovani Gallardo. The latter could be pitching for his spot this evening.

Next: BMore Wired - Episode 14: Ubaldo Fires Gem

For the first time in over two years, Jimenez is not the weak link when he takes the mound. Baltimore needed someone to step up and it was the one guy everyone was ready to drive to BWI themselves. In order for the Orioles to make it to the postseason, it’s going to come down to how the starting pitching takes them.

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