Hunter to Get First Start Friday vs. Blue Jays

First thing, grrrrr because I was planning on going to the game Saturday (Brian Matusz bobble head night) and thought Hunter would take Arrieta’s spot (who is having elbow issues and may require season-ending surgery [no word about it being Tommy John surgery…yet]) Saturday, but, alas, he will be starting Friday, the O’s first night back at home after this road trip.

He made his (not so great) debut for the Orioles against Kansas City on Tuesday where he gave up 2 singles and a run in the 8th inning. Now, he’ll get his first start since the World Series last year. He also went 13-4 last season for Texas as a starter with a decent ERA but suffered a groin injury in Spring Training this season and was forced to be a middle reliever due to his injury and a crowded starting rotation.

However, we need him now more than ever especially with, as I mentioned, Arrieta most likely heading to the DL for the rest of the season. This bad news is just getting worse for the Orioles as Arrieta has been the 2nd most consistent pitcher out there besides Guthrie. If/when he goes down, the rotation will include Guthrie, Hunter, and Simon (who, by the way, I knew he threw hard but not that hard…he was throwing 96-97 consistently a few nights ago against KC) without a doubt. Then we get into troubled waters. We have Britton but his last 2 starts have lasted a combined 1 inning and my guess is that if he goes out there and can’t pitch well again tonight against KC, he’ll be back in the minors. But, maybe not, because what other options do the O’s have? For now, let’s say we get the best case scenario and Britton stays in the majors as a part of the rotation. That still leaves one spot to be filled with either Brad Bergesen or Chris Tillman. Both options are bad and the only other option would be to bring Matusz up but let’s face it, that isn’t going to happen.

I think we’re just going to have to deal with the horrible pitching rotation situation for the remainder of this season and, possibly, the next few seasons to come because that’s what happens when you have all these young guns.

On the bright side, the O’s could get their first series win since winning the series against the Reds at the end of June. So come on boys, do your thing and win! Pleaseeeeee?