Bird's Eye View

By Bird's Eye ViewSports Baseball

Bird's Eye View episodes

June 06, 2017 Episode 204: Bye Bye, Big Boy
– – –
Leading Off
Since last we left our heroes (some of) the Orioles remembered how to play baseball. The Birds took two of three from the Yankees, while winning the games not pitched by Chris Sale and David Price in the four-game set with Boston. Despite what you may have heard on this very program last week, the sky did not fall in the last seven games, and this episode may even take a (gasp!) hopeful tone.
Again, our many thanks to Charlie Hoppes for stepping in last week, but in this episode, Bird’s Eye View gets its own Big Boy – Scott Magness – back behind the mic.

The Medical Wing

This Week on the Twitters

@BirdsEyeViewBal keeping a scorebook = kids pay attention the whole game
1 hr 5 min
June 01, 2017 Episode 203: Things Look Pretty Bleach
Things are not looking up. But have the Orioles hit rock bottom? Charlie Hoppes pinch hits for Scott this week. Also - silly plugs for imaginary products.
The post Episode 203: Things Look Pretty Bleach appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
1 hr 2 min
June 01, 2017 Episode 203: Things Look Pretty Bleach
– – –
Leading Off

Quick, with the exception of Monday’s game, do you remember the last Orioles game you enjoyed? It’s been a rough stretch, with the Orioles losing seven consecutive games, and looking nothing like the club that jumped out to an early lead in the AL East in 2017.
Host Scott Magness takes a well deserved day off, and Friend of the Program, Charlie Hoppes, steps in to deal with the week that was Orioles baseball.

The Medical Wing
The Medical Wing is at full capacity this week It’s absurd how many people are hurt, and how significant some of the injuries are.

* Zach Britton – shut down 45-60 days with forearm discomfort
* Ryan Flaherty – strained right shoulder
* Adam Jones – ankle, hip

This Week on the Twitters

I wonder if Chris Davis thinks some of his swings are deferred as well.
— Alex Conway (@AlexConwayCC) May 24, 2017

Not sure what the Orioles were thinking inviting thousands of children to a snuff film
— Josh Sadlock (@JoshSadlock) May 24, 2017

Facebook commenter says you cannot trade Mancini because he is a "proven Hitler". A bit harsh.
— Camden Depot (@CamdenDepot) May 25, 2017

I can confidently say the Orioles are currently playing the worst baseball in all of MLB.
— Bryan Mannarino (@bohlieve83) May 28, 2017

Once again, the negativity on this platform forcing me to look away. I miss what twitter used to be. Or maybe what I perceived it to be.
— Ryan Wagner (@rwags614) May 27, 2017

Orioles are now 25-23. They currently have a 7-game losing streak, and have lost 13 of their last 16 games.
This is the opposite of fun.
— Dillon Atkinson (@DAtkinsonOU) May 28, 2017

Hello, my name is Jake
*hi Jake*
And I'm coming to grips with the fact that my favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles, might be bad
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) May 28, 2017

How Bad Is Bad?

Embed from Getty Images

Charlie (@CharlesHoppes) and Jake try to decide how bad this Orioles slump has been. Neither of them can qualify as “optimists,” though as usual, Bird’s Eye View tries to find the silver lining in every bit of smog.
Sure, it’s been bad. But is this the team that we have to root for, or is it a case of “you’re never as good as you look when things are going good, and you’re never as bad as you look when things are going nuclear?” And of course, this conversation wouldn’t be complete without wondering what an Ubaldo Jimenez is.
We think that’s how the expression goes.

Shame Wow

Jake finds some ridiculous products that might just help draw the team out of its collective funk,
1 hr 2 min
May 23, 2017 Episode 202: Watch Till It Hurts
Even if we watched through tears, we watched until it hurt. In Episode 202, we discuss "what happened?" and face Truth... or Truth... and Alternative Facts.
The post Episode 202: Watch Till It Hurts appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
51 min
May 23, 2017 Episode 202: Watch Till It Hurts
– – –
Leading Off
Everything was going so well, and then, somehow, the Orioles found the Dark Ages Script. And like fools, they decided to put on a production of “Everything Is Awful, And Your Team Hates You.” Seriously, can you remember the last game you enjoyed? OK – can you remember the last two successive games you enjoyed? No. We just watched until it hurt
These are the times that try fans’ souls.

The Medical Wing
The Medical Wing is at full capacity this week It’s absurd how many people are hurt, and how significant some of the injuries are.

* Zach Britton – shut down 45-60 days with forearm discomfort

* Gabriel Ynoa – hamstring, coming back soon for rehab start… will most likely be optioned to the minors to stay as a starter (or, you know, when one of the starters sucks)

* Ryan Flaherty – strained right shoulder (PRP injection!)

* We have a dark, dark theory…

This Week on the Twitters

@BirdsEyeViewBal But not by much.
We always did enjoy a good squeeze.#gOldeneye
— Matthew Sprague (@MSprague518) May 21, 2017

This 2 run deficit seems insurmountable. This is what the dark ages felt like for all you young ones out there.
— Orioles Uncensored (@OsUncensored) May 20, 2017

We're gonna need a bigger lead pic.twitter.com/UjPVxbiHhH
— Fake Buck Showalter (@Fake_Buck) May 17, 2017

@RantingOriole We're just sorry this is blowing up @TheBigCat28's mentions.
51 min
May 16, 2017 Episode 201: Go Buck Yourselves
The Orioles did not impress in Washington or KC, yuck. The Baseball Widows return for their Mother's Day segment, and we play a round of Blame the Buck!
The post Episode 201: Go Buck Yourselves appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
58 min
May 16, 2017 Episode 201: Go Buck Yourselves
– – –
Leading Off
If you were looking for a series of not-so-fun baseball, you found it in the Kansas City series. In three games all too reminiscent of the 2014 ALCS, the O’s watched three straight one-run games at Kauffman Stadium. I don’t care if they’re going to be in playoff contention, We hate watching the Orioles lose to this team. The fact that Jake’s son plays for the t-ball Royals does not help.
A rain out in Washington may have come at the best time. Otherwise this four-game losing streak may have stretched to five. Regardless, the MASN Cup stays in Birdland. And even if it’s not a real rivalry, that still feels nice.

The Medical Wing
The Medical Wing is at full capacity this week It’s absurd how many people are hurt, and how significant some of the injuries are.

* Zach Britton – shut down 45-60 days with forearm discomfort
* Gabriel Ynoa – hamstring
* Welington Castillo – set to come off the DL on schedule

This Week on the Twitters

Fat Albers coming in for the Nats. LETS EAT BIG BOY!
— Eroc RDT (@BarstoolRDT) May 10, 2017

The rain is basically over in DC. Postponing is real dumb.
-The Meteorologist of Os Twitter
— Ranting Oriole Bird (@RantingOriole) May 11, 2017

#PiratesLife pic.twitter.com/9GXS5QB931
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) May 13, 2017

Caleb shows last year's injury doesn't prevent him from going to #dongtown @BirdsEyeViewBal
— Tom Jones (@steelbaru) May 14, 2017

Want to go at Buck? No Britton in the WC game/managing by the save rule stand out. But there is no debating his ability to manage workloads.
— Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer) May 10, 2017

Blame the Buck!

Embed from Getty Images

Some have said that Buck gets away with avoiding criticism far too often. In fact, they tweet it. Angrily.
And it’s possible there’s some truth to that. Buck Showalter, one of the driving factors in the Orioles’ return to relevancy, the man who set the culture, selected many of the players, and pushed the right buttons for five years of winning baseball (okay, not losing baseball) gets a pass fairly often.
But before we beat him up, we make a point of noting that Buck Showalter is all those things. And while not infallible, his team is winning, just as it’s done before. That having been said, here are all the things that we can find to play Blame the Buck!

* 25-man roster construction
* failing to utilize the bench
* mishandling the starters
* not pushing the right buttons in the bullpen
* potpourri

Deep Cuts

Scott has replaced our old Fantasy Boss segment with something he can hope to win. After having had his doors blown off in successive seasons, he unveiled Deep Cuts,
58 min
May 09, 2017 Episode 200: Trump Card
After a rough week of Orioles baseball (in so many ways), we need a palate cleanser. In Episode 200, we go Around the Bases and navigate a packed Medical Wing.
The post Episode 200: Trump Card appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
1 hr 6 min
May 09, 2017 Episode 200: Trump Card
– – –
Leading Off
It was not fun watching the Orioles in New York. then it was not fun watching the Orioles in Boston. Thank goodness this week is over. Let’s forget that ever happened, and move on. The Orioles are riding high – hanging out at a half game behind the surprisingly surging New York Yankees. Let’s forget a possible Zach Britton injury, and note that the O’s are winning games.
Hashtag Happy Thoughts.

The Medical Wing
The Medical Wing is at full capacity this week It’s absurd how many people are hurt, and how significant some of the injuries are.

* Zach Britton – left forearm strain 2.0
* Gabriel Ynoa – hamstring
* Francisco Pena – thumb cramp
* Wade Miley – target practice
* Jonathan Schoop – hand bruise/swelling
* Welington Castillo – neck spasms/shoulder discomfort –

This Week on the Twitters

Should changes be made to speed up extra-inning games? If so, what would you change? #TheRundown pic.twitter.com/AR3kgHYApE
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 8, 2017

You can keep your margarita, we're having an ORANGE CRUSH.
1 hr 6 min
May 02, 2017 Episode 199: Do You Even Baseball?
Is this team all smoke and mirrors as evident by this past weekend in New York? Ryan Blake joins us to breakdown everything that was April Baseball.
The post Episode 199: Do You Even Baseball? appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
57 min