Orioles' manager Buck Showalter didn't do much to hide his displeasure with the entire team's performance in yesterday's 9-6 loss to Tampa, however that angst was especially evident when it came to starter Brian Matusz. The southpaw was limited to 1.1 innings, he gave up four runs over five hits, four walks, and no strikeouts. However I'm not sure that the number of runs, hits, the pitch count, or even Matusz's mid-80's fastball was the reason why Showalter lifted him so early. In Matusz's 1.1 innings of work, Tampa was able to steal four bases on him. Showalter appeared incredibly angry over what he deemed to be a lack of attention to detail on Matusz's part.
Addmittedly, I was a bit concerned myself as I sat in section 17 and saw all of those runners almost being given free bases yesterday early in the game. However I was more surprised at seeing Buck Showalter lift Matusz so early. I'll be very honest; in my opinion I think that a bit too much is being made of this. I'm not suggesting that Brian Matusz doesn't need to pay more attention to runners on base, because even had Matusz gone six innings yesterday those four steals indicate that he was in a bit of a haze. However, Buck Showalter wouldn't committ to Matusz having the opprotunity to take his next turn in the rotation, which would in theory be Friday night in DC against the Nationals. Is it possible that the situation with holding runners, combined with the lack of velocity are such an issue that Matusz needs to go back to the minors?
Again, my opinion is that just a little too much is being made of this. However, keep in mind that I'm not an expert on pitching or anything like that. I'd like to think that I know a thing or two, but Showalter and company are the guys that are paid to watch these things. So perhaps they're seeing something that the untrained eye can't see. After yesterday's game several Tampa players as well as Rays' manager Joe Maddon said that they felt there was something a little off in Matusz as opposed to last year and 2009. Maddon indicated that he thought there was a chance that Matusz wasn't physically 100%, which is a notion that Matusz himself refuted. As of right now, Brian Matusz is the listed starter for Friday night's game in Washington DC. However as I said, Showalter didn't confirm that this would be the case come Friday.
Showalter also said that he would have thought Matusz's velocity would have shown signs of improvement by now as well. But the main thing was the holding of runners. My personal opinion is that Matusz will be on the bump Friday night. However what are the Orioles' options if they decide to send him either back to the DL or even to Norfolk? Obviously either Brad Bergesen or Chris Tillman would probably be headed back to the major leagues. In Tillman you have a pitcher that's also had his issues with velocity this season, as well as with endurance. However his accuracy has been excellent. In Bergesen, you have a guy that's been sent all over the place between Norfolk and Baltimore, but ultimately has issues locating his fastball. If Matusz doesn't make the start, Bergesen might be the one that gets the call because he's coming off a complete-game shutout win in Norfolk.
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