239 replies to this topic

[SportsGuy]

Show good command, deal with weather conditions that he may not be used to and get into at least the 6th innings.

[NCRaven]

Agree with SG on getting deeper into games. Weather, specifically heat, was a factor for Koji and I'm hoping it's largely a non-issue for Chen who is much younger than Koji was when he got here. Given that the pen has had to put up a few inning recently, I'm hoping that both Arrieta and Chen can get well into their games and rest the relievers some. I'm sure that Buck felt that he had to have Gregg finish the 6th last night to help save the pen.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Good points above about getting a bit deeper into the game. Looking forward to seeing Chen's adjustments.

[ravens8589]

Looking for less fly-balls out of Chen. Keep the ball down in the zone and controlled pitches. If he does that, he will do fine (but that is the recipe for every starting pitcher). Just stay calm, cool and relaxed and no doubt he has the ability to win many games for the Orioles.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Chen heads to the mound for the 3rd time tomorrow, attempting to help the O's avoid being swept.

[Can_of_corn]

Chen heads to the mound for the 3rd time tomorrow, attempting to help the O's avoid being swept.

Interested to see how he does on normal rest.

Any idea who is unavailable in the pen after the last two abbreviated starts?

[BSLChrisStoner]

Through 3 games: 1-0, 2.60 era, 17.1 ip, 18 hits, 5 er, 1 hr, 6 bb's, 15 k's, .725 OPS against, 0.61 G/F

[Can_of_corn]

Through 3 games: 1-0, 2.60 era, 17.1 ip, 18 hits, 5 er, 1 hr, 6 bb's, 15 k's, .725 OPS against, 0.61 G/F

Still looks to be hitting a wall after ~90 pitches.

However I will take 90 pitches worth of quality innings a start. It just hammers home the fact that modifications need to be made to the bullpen.

[NewMarketSean]

Could he still be getting stretched out?

All the more reason to jettison Gregg and get Berken in here for the long-man.

[Pedro Cerrano]

That 1.38 WHIP needs to come down fast or he won't be able to sustain a sub 3 ERA.

He's been our 2nd best SP this year so far -- not sure if that's a good thing.

[BSLChrisStoner]

O's will need Chen to get them back on-track against the A's tomorrow. This is a series the O's need to win. Have to win tomorrow, to give yourself a chance at the series win Sunday.

[You Play to Win the Game]

O's will need Chen to get them back on-track against the A's tomorrow. This is a series the O's need to win. Have to win tomorrow, to give yourself a chance at the series win Sunday.

He will have to be extra good now with Wieters out of the lineup tonight with the flu.

[Can_of_corn]

He will have to be extra good now with Wieters out of the lineup tonight with the flu.

And with Reimold and Flaherty in the outfield.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Chen goes 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 er, 1 hr, 2 bb's, with 4 k's. A's hitters hit 13 fly-balls. Pretty impressive outing, considering he did not have his best stuff, or best control.

[Mike B]

Chen goes 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 er, 1 hr, 2 bb's, with 4 k's. A's hitters hit 13 fly-balls. Pretty impressive outing, considering he did not have his best stuff, or best control.

Agreed. I was worried he was not getting out of the 1st the way he was laboring. I think he threw 30 pitches in the first I did not want to see the BP get burned out with the Yankees series coming up.

Actually Chen got better after getting drilled in the lower stomach ( being polite).

The translator was even laughing

[Tyler Bingaman]

The fact that Chen pitched this well in cold and rainy conditions, and after taking a shot below the belt in the fourth inning, really amps up the respect factor - Roch

Completely agree... great outing by Chen

[BSLChrisStoner]

Chen has allowed 2 er or less in his initial 4 starts. Makes his 3rd road start of the year tonight in Boston.

[SportsGuy]

This will mark his 4th start, out of 5, where Chen has pitched on more than 5 days rest.

For a guy used to pitching every 6th day, the Orioles seem to be doing this on purpose.

[BSLChrisStoner]

In Boston, Chen went 5 ip, allowing 5 hits, 3 er, with 3 bb's, and 4 k's.

In his 5 starts, he has gone 5.2, 5.1, 6.1, 7, and 5 innings.
He has allowed 2, 2, 1, 1, and 3 er's. He has walked 1, 2, 3, 2, and 3 batters.
He has struck out at-least 4 in every start.

What is the game plan you would give him today, against this Texas lineup?

[Chris B]

In Boston, Chen went 5 ip, allowing 5 hits, 3 er, with 3 bb's, and 4 k's.

In his 5 starts, he has gone 5.2, 5.1, 6.1, 7, and 5 innings.
He has allowed 2, 2, 1, 1, and 3 er's. He has walked 1, 2, 3, 2, and 3 batters.
He has struck out at-least 4 in every start.

What is the game plan you would give him today, against this Texas lineup?

I know you tweeted (jokingly?) about this earlier, but I'd pitch around/intentionally walk Josh Hamilton every at-bat. Don't let him kill you. He himself produced 8 of the 10 Texas runs last night.

That lineup is still very good without Hamilton, but it becomes a lot easier to deal with if you limit his at-bats.