With last night's loss in NY, the O's are now on a three-game losing streak. The question is whether or not this is more a sign of things to come, or just a skid. I would say that it's just a skid, however the follow-up then becomes what was happening prior to the losing streak that's not happening now? Survey says: quality starting pitching. (Granted the Orioles got a gem of a start from Jeremy Guthrie on Sunday against Tampa in a losing effort.)
Headlining the starting pitching woes are Chris Tillman and Brad Bergesen. Let's start with Tillman; in the second game of the season he threw six no-hit innings to help the Orioles to beat the Tampa Rays. On April 7th he was only able to last 4.2 innings, yet the O's came back and won. In that start, Tillman gave up four runs over six hits, inflating his ERA to 3.38. The issue that everyone noticed after that start was that Tillman's velocity was topping out in the high 80's for the most part, whereas in 2009 he was consistently hitting 94 or 95 MPH. That continued into his last start, last night against the Yankees, when he gave up six runs and nine hits over 1.2 innings.
As for Bergesen, let's start out by saying that he's a slider/sinkerball pitcher. In my opinion, his biggest problem is locating his fastball. As MASN's Dave Johnson has said on occasion, if your specialty is breaking pitches that's fine, but if you can't throw a majorleague fastball you won't make it at this level. In Bergesen's one and only start this year (vs. Detroit), he gave up four runs over five hits in 3.2 innings. His fastballs seemed to stay up and flat in the zone, which generally makes for a ball getting hit a long way. Bergesen was sent to Norfolk prior to Saturday's doubleheader against Texas, and then recalled for last night's game in NY against the Yankees. Bergesen even saw action in the game, pitching two innings in relief and striking out two batters (no hits, runs, or walks).
Both of these guys can look really good. But when they aren't on their game they can also look really bad. My take on Tillman is that I have to wonder if his arm doesn't have an injury of some sort. Generally when a hurler like Tillman starts to lose velocity that can indicate a problem with his arm. As for Bergesen, I honestly do feel badly for him. He's a guy that's been sent back-and-forth to/from the minors several different times. Granted the major leagues isn't the place to "find oneself" as a pitcher, but how can the Orioles expect him to develop if he's constantly coming and going to and from Norfolk? Most of those trips came last season under Dave Trembley and Juan Samuel, however the fact remains that if you want a guy to develop you have to give him a chance on a consistent basis.
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