Norris stellar again, Davis top hand happy uppercut disappearing

It is only June 15^th. But the Baltimore Orioles are facing by far their biggest game of the year today when they host the finale of a four game set against division leading Toronto at Camden Yards. Start time is 1:30pm. The O’s have taken two out of three so far, but a 2-2 split is not what the birds have on their minds. Taking three of four will send the O's out on the road with some momentum.

The O’s continued to get strong pitching when Bud Norris took the hill yesterday afternoon. Norris had already pitched a gem earlier in the week against Boston. Norris continued to look like the best of the veteran starters on the O’s staff with another good outing yesterday.

Chris Davis

Maybe the biggest potential story of the year continued to develop yesterday as Chris Davis shows more and more signs of re-establishing the swing that made him the most feared hitter in the American League last season. Davis hit a two run homer into the O’s bullpen in LEFT CENTER FIELD in the fifth yesterday to give the O’s what they needed to beat R.A. Dickey and the Jays. Inexplicably a fresh off the DL Tommy Hunter took a risk of injury to catch the ball. Someone should explain to Hunter that he does not get paid to catch homers in the pen.

Davis has been seen working hard lately to rid himself of a top hand happy uppercut pass through the hitting zone. His resurgent power couldn’t come at a better time for the O's as Nelson Cruz continues to hit lately, but with less power.

Delmon Young continued his productive ways as DH with a hit and an alert first to third base running decision that keyed the O’s run in the fourth.

On the downside, J.J. Hardy continued his struggles with another 0-4 afternoon. Homerless all season it appears that the opposition around the league has the book on Hardy. He is taking center cut fastballs for called first strikes repeatedly this season and consequently finds himself making weak contact producing defensive swings late in the counts in almost every at bat.

Today it will be Chris Tillman’s chance to right his own personal ship and give his team a lift. Tillman has had early game command issues this season resulting in an alarming walk total. When he has missed it has often been high and when he has not walked people, he has center cut too many fastballs and hung too many breaking balls to be effective.

Should the O’s win the series finale they would move to within 2.5 games of the Blue Jays while heading out on the road again to face Tampa for three and the Yankees for three.