Episode 378: 99 Orange Balloons
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Leading Off
The Orioles have 99 wins, and are on the verge of clinching the AL East. Please freak out accordingly.
Drink of the Week
Join us for the Drink of the Week, and let us know how you’re consoling yourself as you watch the O’s. Find us on Untappd
- magn8606
- jakee4025
This Week on the Twitters
Around the Bases
The Feels
Since Scott and Jake have been together, there have been a lot of good and terrible feels to go around. The guys start by discussing the emotional high points associated with the Adam Jones game, and the postseason clinch. Those tingles we thought might never return are back. And they’re back with a vengence.
Then, of course, there were the other feels. There is not much of value that we can add to the ongoing honoring of Brooks Robinson – Orioles legend and wonderful human being. However, the fact that so many – young and old – who are absolutely devastated by the loss of this great man is a testament to his stature as a friend first, community hero second, and a baseball player a distant third.
Second Base: Pinch Me
There is so much going right for the Orioles right now. They are on pace to win over 100 games. They look very likely to win the AL East (and have the AL’s best record). They have the presumptive AL Rookie of the Year. They have young superstars. They have young complementary players. Don’t look now, but everything is coming up Orioles.
Third Base: Authentic Fan Engagement at OPACY
Jake thinks the sound board operators need to sit back and let the fans cook. Great crowds have returned to Camden Yards. Even without a sellout, you can count on an exuberant, engaged crowd watching their team run down an AL East divisional crown. There’s no need to manufacture fan response. Leave Seven Nation Army for a moment when our enthusiasm has flagged.
Home Plate: The Nightmare Scenario
Yes, things are going incredibly well. But true Orioles fans are always waiting for that other shoe to drop. Therefore, we lay out the worst-case-scenario: the Reverse Andino Curse.
In this scenario, the Orioles are relegated to the AL Wildcard because the Boston Red Sox lay down for the Rays (who win out), and sweep the Orioles, leaving us to dejectedly scoreboard watch as Boston’s only remaining hope – to play spoiler – mars what should be a special season in Baltimore.
Not likely, but come on: that’s how the script should be written, right?
Fantasy Boss
Jake ekes out a victory, and pulls the contest reasonably close-ish (10-7 in Scott’s favor). Jake’s pick Gunnar Henderson out-donged (2) Scott’s choice, Anthony Santander (0).
This week’s category is and over/under for Orioles wins in the Red Sox series. Jake set the line at 2.5 games. Scott took the over, leaving Jake with the under.
Remember our two active FB Wild Cards:
Next player to hit a well-off HR
- Jake selected Adam Frazier
- Scott took Gunnar Henderson
Next Oriole to hit a 450+ foot HR
- Scott selected Gunnar Henderson
- Jake took Austin Hays
Who will own it?
Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week.
Tweet us your selections @birdseyeviewbal with #OsGood, #OsBad, and #OsUgly.
Blowing the Save
Most podcasts try to end on a high note – the perfect coda to a quality program. That’s just not our style. Each week, we’ll end on a weak note, blowing the save with an item that didn’t quite fit into the episode, or something they simply need to get off their chests. It’s our version of taking the ball and pulling a Kevin Gregg.
Your Turn
Love it? Hate it? Confused? Let us, and other listeners, know! As always, we appreciate the support.
Please leave a rating and review for our show, wherever you get your podcasts, whether it be Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play Music, Spotify, or… wherever!
You can email the show – contact at birdseyeviewbaltimore dot com
Get connected: you can find us on social media:
