Bird's Eye View

By Bird's Eye ViewSports Baseball

Bird's Eye View episodes

September 15, 2015 Episode 139: Buy or Sell?
Are you buying or selling on this club? What about the guys on it? The guys discuss Jonathan Schoop, and a few others on the Orioles' roster.
The post Episode 139: Buy or Sell? appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
56 min
September 15, 2015 Episode 139: Buy or Sell?
Leading Off
This week wasn’t so depressing. Any time you can take a series from the Royals is a good thing. Sure, they’re headed to the playoffs and the Orioles are not, but when their fans are quiet at Camden Yards, it’s a good day. The Orioles have won five of their last six games. It’s too little, too late, but the games are much more palatable as the schedule runs out.

This Week on the Twitters
Tonight we'll welcome @AstroTerry to throw the first pitch and present Buck Showalter with an O's jersey he took to the @Space_Station.
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 14, 2015

Orioles beat KC 8-2 to win series. Back-to-back series wins for first time since late July. Gausman vs. ERod tomorrow at Camden Yds.
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) September 14, 2015

All this about Harvey's "half outings." Orioles starters have been going half outings all season.
— Eutaw St. Report (@EutawStReport) September 14, 2015

Jonathan Schoop's 23. He has 14 HRs in 69 games in 2015 (33HR pace). He has 29 since 2014 began (3rd most for 2Bman). http://t.co/i84TbMX79B
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) September 14, 2015

Jonathan Schoop, and Buy or Sell?

View image | gettyimages.com

Is Jonathan Schoop the real deal? The guys debate whether Jonathan Schoop has what it takes to become a significant contributor in 2016 and beyond. A player who was less that impressive in his first year has come on strong in an injury-shortened season. Can this continue in the future? Are you buying or selling?
Come to think of it, the guys answer the Buy/Sell question for the following:

* Reimold brought back to compete for an OF spot, and/or 4th OF spot.
* Clevenger as Caleb Joseph’s backup.
* Mike Wright in the bullpen.
* Dylan Bundy as a MLB pitcher.
* Jason Garcia as a key contributor to the MLB bullpen in 2016.
* Bounce-back season from J.J. Hardy.

Fantasy Boss

Fantasy Boss is our head-to-head fantasy segment where we pick one stat, and select a player. Feel free to play along, and tweet us your #FantasyBoss pick @birdseyeviewbal.
Jake wins and pulls out to a 11-9-1 lead down the home stretch. Quality starts o/u was 1.5 and Jimenez and Chen came through for Jake. Scott needs to win the next two contests to pull even for a statistical tie.

This week’s category: BB% – between Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones. Tie breaker is wOBA, and then HR.
Scott’s pick: Adam Jones

Jake’s pick: Jonathan Schoop
The gauntlet has been thrown. Who will own it?
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans?
56 min
September 08, 2015 Episode 138: Crushed Dreams
As the Orioles fall further out of contention, our attention turns to the offseason. In Episode 138, we examine the likelihood of a return for Chris Davis in 2016.
The post Episode 138: Crushed Dreams appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
51 min
September 08, 2015 Episode 138: Crushed Dreams
Leading Off
Can you feel the magic? No? Well, this is the 2015 season. Buckle up, it’s going to be rough. But we are here to provide the soul ointment.
And by “soul ointment,” we’re definitely referring to the Drink of the Week.

Medical Wing

* Adam Jones – day to day with right shoulder soreness
* Matt Wieters – day to day with left wrist soreness
* J.J. Hardy – eligible to come off the DL on September 8… will he?
* Miguel Gonzalez – 15-day DL with right shoulder tendonitis

This Week on the Twitters
It isn't the hog warts express but it's the next best thing. Another day of pitching #Orioles #HarryPotter
— Michael Wright (@Mikewright_Os) September 1, 2015

HOW do you give up 11 runs (and counting) in 2 games against the Rays. It's beyond sad.
— Eutaw St. Report (@EutawStReport) September 2, 2015

At this point, you would need some scientifically impossible 250 proof alcohol to erase memories of the O's last month.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) September 7, 2015

Shoutout the dude getting woken up by Chris Davis' monster walk-off homer. https://t.co/KDgm07YMFs
— Jon Tayler (@JATayler) September 3, 2015

Chris Davis: To Be, or Not to Be?

View image | gettyimages.com

Chris Davis is going to get paid a lot of money in the offseason, because he can hit the baseball very far. But will it be the Orioles giving him that money? The guys have an honest, objective discussion about Davis’ skillset, the money he can garner on the open market, and admit their own biases when it comes to “the Big Fella.”
What will the Orioles do with the first baseman, and if not Davis, then who? Listen in to find out what reasonable options exist in the organization, in free agency, and in trades.

Fantasy Boss

Fantasy Boss is our head-to-head fantasy segment where we pick one stat, and select a player. Feel free to play along, and tweet us your #FantasyBoss pick @birdseyeviewbal.
Scott won this week, in part, because he took advantage of Jake’s delicate emotional state, as the losses piled up for the Orioles. He asked for an over/under on runs, and set it at 10.5 for the six games over the course of the week. Jake took the under, and… well, the Orioles scored plenty of runs, but gave up even more. That brings the season’s core to 10-9-1.

This week’s category: Over/under on Orioles’ quality starts (Scott set line at 1.5)

Jake’s pick: Over
Scott’s pick: Under

The gauntlet has been thrown. Who will own it?
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week?
51 min
September 01, 2015 Episode 137: Hot Heads
After a banner week of Orioles baseball, Jake and Scott air a few disagreements, and try to bury the hatchet with MLB Advanced Media.
The post Episode 137: Hot Heads appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
55 min
September 01, 2015 Episode 137: Hot Heads
Leading Off
That grinding sound you hear is the bottom of the Orioles bandwagon rubbing against the ground. You see, the wheels have fallen off of it. Or it is us, silently weeping in a corner. Take your pick.
With that, it is definitely time to check in on the Drink of the Week.

Medical Wing

* J.J. Hardy
* Chaz Roe
* Mike Wright

This Week on the Twitters
Joe Maddon is at it again. Cubs will have a "pajama party" on their overnight flight back to Chicago. (via @pstrop46) pic.twitter.com/FoORpYH86N
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) August 31, 2015

"Realistically, next year will be my last year [with the Dodgers]." pic.twitter.com/laGZvYWQ6f
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 29, 2015

Bidding has begun for Maryland residents on MD license plates 2130 and 2131: http://t.co/ZVHxyF8n8b pic.twitter.com/qaI7nwUXFF
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 27, 2015

Double for Dariel Alvarez. His first MLB hit. Beltre gets the ball — jokes like he is throwing it to crowd, but tosses it to Os dugout
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) August 30, 2015

Unsure whether the more foolish group of people is the ones watching Ravens game that doesn't count or those watching Orioles game that does
— Camden Chat (@CamdenChat) August 29, 2015

Sources: Jays to name the Indians' Mark Shapiro club president. announcement expected soon. http://t.co/Zr9LFdYoEW
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 31, 2015

Worth mentioning trading Arrieta isn't why O's SP are bad. They're bad b/c O's can't develop SP & the only SP they spent $ on was U. Jimenez
— Nathan Bernhardt (@jonbernhardt) August 31, 2015

This Week in the ****er

View image | gettyimages.com

We’ve had a bit of a rocky relationship with MLB Advanced Media, but we were able to negotiate some exclusive content, for use in our review of this week’s action. Take a listen to the sounds that made up the magic of Orioles Baseball this past week.
Also, what will the Orioles do when rosters expand on September 1st? Buck Showalter says that managing in September is like a completely different season. We have to hope that is the case, because the current season is not that much fun to watch.

Hot Heads

View image |
55 min
August 24, 2015 Episode 136: Spirit Quest
Episode 136 chronicles the 2015 propensity for Orioles Tragic - specifically, the Twins series. We look back, and ahead. Neither is very comforting.
The post Episode 136: Spirit Quest appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
49 min
August 24, 2015 Episode 136: Spirit Quest
Leading Off
Do you remember when baseball was fun? Neither do we. This week of Orioles baseball was like… nope. Can’t do it. This episode was recorded after the Orioles’ heartbreaking loss to the Twins on Sunday. After this latest helping of Orioles Tragic, there’s nothing more to say than: drink up, it’s time for the Drink of the Week.

Medical Wing

* J.J. Hardy is on the DL with a groin – insert your own jokes.
* Steve Pearce is set to return from his oblique strain for the Royals series.
* Everyone else is on hold to return in September including Chaz Roe, Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson… eventually, Norfolk will stand up.

This Week on the Twitters
I'm at "I'm not even mad, I'm just disappointed" stage
— Orioles Uncensored (@OsUncensored) August 23, 2015

@Orioles have fallen behind MIN & TEX after 1-10 rec combined v them.
O's 18-38 v opponents currently +500.
O's 16 of next 19 v +500 teams.
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) August 24, 2015

logan verrett appears to have won a major-league role with 1 outing. but what an outing! 1 run in 8 IP at coors. #mets
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 23, 2015

The three teams with worst batting average (Mets, Astros, Cubs) all headed to playoffs right now. Almost like it's not relevant to winning.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) August 23, 2015

https://twitter.com/mister_ice_cold/status/635573197539295232

Spirit Quest

Have you ever wondered what the spirit animal of your favorite Orioles player might be? No? Not once? OK, suit yourself, but we’re going to tell you anyway. If there are any that we got wrong, or if we missed something obvious, tweet us your corrections using
#OsSpiritAnimal

I Hate It When She Does That

The Orioles season has not gone the way we had hoped, and though the mediocrity of the American League means that the Birds aren’t out of it, they are… pretty much out of it. Jake, particularly, plays the role of Negative Nancy, in assigning the Orioles’ playoff chances.
If the O’s are not a playoff-bound team, what can we expect for the remaining portion of the season? How do we, as fans, enjoy a team that is not Dark Period terrible, but not good enough to make a playoff run?

Fantasy Boss

Fantasy Boss is our head-to-head fantasy segment where we pick one stat, and select a player. Feel free to play along, and tweet us your #FantasyBoss pick @birdseyeviewbal.
Fantasy Boss is just another reminder that things could have gone better for the O’s this week. Without a blown save on Sunday, Scott’s pick (Zach Britton) would have fared much better in xFIP. Instead, it’s Jake taking the honors this week, as his pick (Mychal Givens) out-xFIP-ed Britton .288 to .534. That brings the contest to 10-7-1.
This week’s category will be BABIP.
Scott’s Pick: Adam Jones
Jake’s Pick: Gerardo Parra
The gauntlet has been thrown. Who will own it?
49 min
August 18, 2015 Episode 135: Never Tell Me the Odds
There have been plenty of ups and downs, but the Orioles playoffs odds are no easier to predict than they were before this week. Things looked bleak, but things are looking up.
The post Episode 135: Never Tell Me the Odds appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
57 min
August 18, 2015 Episode 135: Never Tell Me the Odds
Leading Off
This has been a weird week. The Orioles have been no-hit, they have erupted in an 18-run blowout, and they have found themselves in the driver’s seat of the AL Wild Card race. Orioles fans, you have our permission to freak out – It’s been weird. What are the Orioles playoff odds? We have no idea – it’s been that kind of season.

Medical Wing

* Matt Wieters
* Chaz Roe
* Steve Pearce
* Mike Wright

This Week on the Twitters

#Royals agree to terms LHP Wandy Rodriguez and RHP Joba Chamberlain on minor league contracts.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 17, 2015

And O's, for the love of god, please give Machado a blank contract to fill in like now.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) August 15, 2015

Chris Davis 9th inning HR last night was the lowest most outside pitch a lefty has ever homered on in PITCHfx era… http://t.co/oVOHLncEdb
— Daren Willman (@darenw) August 16, 2015

After today the Os next 25 games are against teams in the playoff hunt. Time to see what they are made of. But don't look past Sonny tonight
— The Sunglass Guy (@OsSunglassGuy) August 17, 2015

This Ups and the Downs

2015 has been a season of ups and downs. Even when we were in the highest of spirits, we referred to the team’s downturns: for example, our faux “State of the Orioles” address, which pronounced that the temperature of our beer was cold, used the phoenix as a symbol.

In short, the Orioles have sometimes flown high. Other times, they’ve been a fiery pile of ash. Let’s do our best to predict what happens next.

Never Tell Me the Odds

There are plenty of scenarios that could occur the rest of the season. What’s the Over/Under on them occurring? Jake and Scott break it down with “baseless opinion” and their signature “lack of insight.” Feel free to let us know what you think the over/under is, and what issues we failed to raise.

Fantasy Boss

Fantasy Boss is our head-to-head fantasy segment where we pick one stat, and select a player. Feel free to play along, and tweet us your #FantasyBoss pick @birdseyeviewbal.
Jake squeaks out a victory, as his pick (Adam Jones) out performed Scott’s Pick (Chris Davis) in ISO, to the tune of .640 to .600. Again, we picked #1 and #2 on the team. hat brings the contest to 9-7-1.

This week’s category will be xFIP.
Scott’s Pick: Zach Britton
Jake’s Pick: Mychal Givens
The gauntlet has been thrown. Who will own it?

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week.
Tweet us your selections @birdseyeviewbal with #OsGood, #OsBad, and #OsUgly.

Blowing the Save

Most podcasts try to end on a high note – the perfect coda to a quali...
57 min