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?