O’s Lose, Next Season’s Schedule

The Orioles blew a six-run lead, and lost an easily winnable game to the Toronto Blue Jays, 8-7. Well, the offense carried the them for the first half of the game – including Aubrey Huff’s 32nd home run – however, the Jays bashed Brian Bass for a five run fifth inning.

The Baltimore pitcher had hurled four shut-out innings, but had run into trouble and then the bullpen could not hold up the lead, giving up runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

As the season is coming to a close, there’s at least two positives I see in the short term – the offense not folding, and some improvement amongst the starting pitching staff with Guthrie on the DL, and the status of Daniel Cabrera unknown now with an injury – now is the time for the youngsters to make an impact and perhaps be strongly considered for a roster spot for ’09 Spring Training.

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The Baltimore Orioles 2009 schedule came out yesterday, and the Yankees are the scheduled opponent for the home opener a week after the season begins.

I often look for the interleague match-ups first, and next year the Orioles host the Mets, Braves, and regional rival, the Nationals. I think the Mets may be a hot ticket, and the Braves always seem to a draw a decent contingent; thus, the atmosphere at the Yard may be interesting when summer comes around.

Meanwhile, the Orioles travel to Florida (a trip I may go on just to see how empty a stadium can be), and to Washington for their interleague road trips.