100 replies to this topic

[You Play to Win the Game]

Just another great, seemingly meaningless acquisition by Duq. Hard to wrap your head around everything that has happened here.

[Tucker Blair]

Joe left some pitches up in the zone and was a little erratic to start out the game.
He settled down and eventually provided the Orioles with enough to get by.
Certainly had a "bend but don't break" outing, which is what he usually does.


You just have to tip your cap to Joe, excellent outing for this club in a must-win game.

[BobPhelan]

Incredibly gutty performance and I'm so grateful he did it. I hope he can continue to contribute out of the bullpen.

[RShack]

Not only thanks to Saunders, but also another case where I wish we could somehow have a recording of what Matt was thinking when... he had a SP who (a) is a guy who needs to control his non-overwhelming tools, and (b) didn't have a clue about where his FB was going. So, as Wieters is crouching behind the hitter, thinking about what to call when, what the hell was he thinking, moment by moment? I'd give an arm and a leg to know that...

[BSLChrisStoner]

As the game went 13 innings last night, Saunders start was a bit forgotten. Still it should be mentioned that he again did everything you could have hoped he would.

5.2 ip, 3 hits, 1 er, 4 bb's, 5 k's. He threw 88 pitches, 56 for strikes.

Baseball Prospectus: Is Saunders a double play machine?
http://www.baseballp...articleid=18625

[Mackus]

Against Texas he gutted through without good stuff, escaped jams with timely double plays, and generally always looked like he was thisclose to crumbling but never did.

Last night, he looked completely different. He only got in trouble a couple times and managed those very nicely. A few more walks than you would expect, but other than that he was excellent.

Just a totally clutch performance from Saunders so far in the postseason.

[BobPhelan]

Very happy with his clutch performance.

[BSLMattJergensen]

He's the definition of the term, "Crafty lefthander".

Great job.

Here's a bigger question: Should the Orioles re-sign him and if so what should the contract look like?

[SportsGuy]

He's the definition of the term, "Crafty lefthander".

Great job.

Here's a bigger question: Should the Orioles re-sign him and if so what should the contract look like?

No. I appreciate what he has done for us this year but this team needs a TOR guy.

Now, if you trade a bunch of pitching and need someone for the back end, fine but I tend to doubt that many guys would be dealt.

[BobPhelan]

No. I appreciate what he has done for us this year but this team needs a TOR guy.

Now, if you trade a bunch of pitching and need someone for the back end, fine but I tend to doubt that many guys would be dealt.

Yeah this is how I feel too. I'll root for him wherever he goes except for when hes facing us.

[Oriole85]

He's the definition of the term, "Crafty lefthander".

Great job.

Here's a bigger question: Should the Orioles re-sign him and if so what should the contract look like?

Ideally I'd like to upgrade, but if he would comeback on a little risk contract, I wouldn't be opposed. This teams all the starting pitching it can get.

[FlavaDave10]

Ideally I'd like to upgrade, but if he would comeback on a little risk contract, I wouldn't be opposed. This teams all the starting pitching it can get.

Something tells me that we shouldn't count on his countless deep flyouts to continue to not be home runs at Camden Yards. We have enough guys like Saunders. I like the guy, and I'll root for him wherever he goes as long as he doesn't pitch against us.

[dpsmith22]

Saunders pitched great games against Texas and NY. HOWEVER, both of those teams were struggling mightily when he pitched against them. Joe is just not good enough to pitch at OPACY in July. I would rather see Matusz as my 5.

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: O's will attempt to craft Saunders into a LOOGY

http://www.masnsport...n-saunders.html

[bnickle]

Yup. When we traded for him in '12 I remember someone said his splits were so good that even if he gave us nothing as a SP he could probably be converted to a LOOGY. I figured that was likely what we were attempting here. He'll probably make the 40 man and be up in Sept.

[SportsGuy]

Could take BMat's spot.

[DJ MC]

Could take BMat's spot.

 

At the very least, insurance for Matusz not coming on strong in August and September.

[BSLRoseKatz]

Today is his 40th birthday!

[NewMarketSean]

Probably still better than half the pitchers on this roster. 

[TwentyThirtyFive]

The most random birthday wishes Ive ever seen. Are you related to Joe ?