Quick Observations

Not to knock Mac off the head story here but I have a couple minutes during Hell-Week to post some random thoughts...

Why can't Jeremy Guthrie get ahead of hitters anymore?

A lot of people have asked how the "Sugar Bear" name has come about...After attending a game and an extended stay at Pickle's one weekend last year, my cousin and I, who will remain as an unnamed reader of this blog but rhymes with Ron Bunslap, came up with it over a few drinks and it just seemed to fit. We'll leave it at that.

Absolutely loved seeing Bergy pitch like that in his debut last night. I feel like doing my best Paul Revere imitation: "The pitchers are coming, the pitchers are coming!" Hopefully, Bergy is here to stay and look for David Hernandez or Troy Patton to be up next, followed by the truly elite prospects in Tillman, Arrieta, and Matusz. 

Nick Markakis is one of the best two-strike hitters I've seen. I feel like every at-bat he has two strikes and still gets the job done. 

Starting to look at the 2009 June First-year Player Draft and it could be very interesting. Obviously, San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg is the top prospect, so with us picking 5th, we have no shot at him. Not to mention word has it that his "advisor" Scott Boras will be asking for a MLB deal worth $25-$50 million. I hope Boras stubs his toe on a Great White's grin. Anyway, Grant Green is a shortstop prospect from USC that I've been keeping my eye on. I feel like he would be an intriguing prospect that could help the O's as Cesar's contract expires at the end of the 2010 season. More on the draft later.

I have officially erased last Friday's game against the Red Sox out of my memory bank. Just pretending it didn't happen. As Mac mentioned earlier, the Prairie Fires assisted me with that task. 

Just wanted to chime in while I can. Mac will keep you updated until next Monday, then I'll be back with him full-force.