Joe Saunders pitches O's to playoff matchup against the Yankees!

Buck Showalter decided to hand the baseball off to Joe Saunders on friday night against the Texas Rangers even though his stats were not good at the ballpark in Arlington. His decision was the right call as Saunders went 5 2/3 innings striking out 4 Rangers while only allowing a first inning run.

The O's would get him a run in the first on a JJ Hardy base hit after Nate McLouth stole second base. They would add on in the 6th with a sac fly off the bat of Adam Jones and that is all the team would need. The O's would add rbi's from McLouth in the 7th, Machado in the 9th  and McLouth again in the 9th.

McLouth finished the game 1 for 4 with 1 run scored and 2 rbi's. He also stole a base. Jim Johnson would come on in the 9th to wrap it up moving the O's in the best of five match-up with division rival the New York Yankees with game 1 on Sunday.

Baltimores trio of allstars looking to shine!

The first half of the 2012 season has come and gone now the mid season classic is upon us. The Baltimore Orioles for the first time since 2005 have multiple all-star selections heading to the game. Matt Wieters, Adam Jones & Jim Johnson. For Wieters and Jones this will be there second appearance with it being Jim Johnson's first.

Jones has batted .289 with 20 home-runs in the first half and will look to continue those numbers over the next couple months to put up career highs. Wieters who has been praised with the work he does with pitchers and his defense is also looking to put up career highs offensively this year. The last player Johnson has pitched to a 1.21 e.r.a with a league leading 26 saves.

These 3 players are a big part of the O's first half success that has them in second place in the American League East at the break. Look for all 3 to help the American League win against the National League squad tonight on Fox.

My prediction is Jones will go 1-2 with a 2-run homer and Johnson will pick up the save!

O's injuries piling up!

The Baltimore Orioles who seem to have nothing going for them this season but injuries. The team has all ready lost all-star second baseman Brian Roberts, closer Mike Gonzalez & Jim Johnson after he was sent down to the minors. Gonzalez & Johnson both struggled this season with a little belief that they could have both been injured causing them not to perform at high levels. The team also recently got Koji Uehara back from the disabled list but after his outing wednesday he has been unable to go causing some to believe he may be on his way back to the dl.

Than there was the latest injury to Alfredo Simon who pitched a scoreless 9th inning today but in the 10th seemed to pull something in his leg trying to get to first to cover on a ground ball. That appeared not only to hurt him but hurt the team as the team had to call on Cla Meredith. Moments later he gave up the game winner on a solo shot off the bat of Josh Willingham.

While the O's are trying to get some wins together these injuries are killing them as a team.